The Stranger

History's heap of bands that combine 1950s greaser shtick with punk and rockabilly attitude rises higher than even the proudest pompadours. With last year's self-titled debut, Chicago’s The Stranger stands out in that ever-growing pile thanks to a rare sense of authenticity in its teeth-gnashing grit and spit-shined music. Rumbling upright bass and clean guitar lines that lean heavily on surf and boogie combine with menacingly unhinged vocals, making The Stranger seem like a group of greasers who have actually done all the sordid deeds they sing about.

Updated 08/11/2010