The Retrospective Soundtrack Players is an eclectic mix of punk, rock and folk. An interesting and diverse mix, they’ve released a split “7 with Frank Turner and have toured the UK with The Walkmen, King Charles, Chris T-T and more. And this five-piece also like to create albums based on their favourite books and/or films. And this time, the book lucky enough to receive such treatment, is J.D. Salinger’s ‘The Catcher In the Rye’, published in 1951.

‘Comin’ Thro’ the Rye’ melds into ‘The Catcher In the Rye’, a heart-warming opening track. Twanging and folk-inspired riffs slide over smooth, comfortable vocals – gravelly yet deep, they’re soothing to listen to, and are evident during tracks such as ‘For D.B.’ and ‘The Wicker Bar’.

Tracks such as ‘Pencey Prep’ and ‘Woman Just Kill Me’ feature gentle acoustic-folk guitars. Harmonicas are to be found during ‘Where Do the Ducks Go At Winter?’ a sweet and slow enough track for people to relax and hum along to. A melodic rhythm section keeps the tracks strong and steady; strong drum work during ‘Smart Girls For Talking, Morons For Dancing’ builds a fantastic structure for the song.

During closing track ‘For Phoebe’, a harmonic bass and slick riffs round off ‘The Catcher In the Rye’ well. The Retrospective Soundtrack Players are energetic, but not in the sense that they’re straight up in your face. They keep up an unfaltering pace through the album, a steady pace that’s difficult to match.

3/5

‘The Catcher In the Rye’ by The Retrospective Soundtrack Players is available now on Xtra Mile Records.

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Words by Jessica Tagliani (@JessTagliani)