Album review: EVILYN STRANGE – Mourning Phoebe

Evilyn Strange

www.evilynstrange.co.uk [Release date 13.07.13]

There is evidently some humour in this band and their publicity, describing  themselves as part Beatles part Black Label Society.  Philip and Al Strange (I assume brothers but let’s take nothing for granted here) are joined by Swedish guitarist Mikael Johannesson.

The opener sets the high standard, the riff-driven ‘Ballad Of Evilyn Strange’ but any Zakk Wylde fixations tend to fall off after this, what we are left with is a debut album of great songs that withstand replay.

‘Everything’ and ‘Love Finds You’  have had some moderate success as singles and Philip Strange’s vocal style borders at times on Richard Hawley-croon.  Not a bad thing as it gives some of these tracks a sort of updated American late-sixties psych-rock vibe.

‘Just A Little’ is another example of catchy, competent pop rock and throughout there is no sense of filler.  The tunes are enhanced by Al Strange’s keys and backing vocals whilst Johannesson veers on just the right side of shred.

Back in the day this album would have had the band in Sergeant Pepper-like uniforms and David Rubinson tweaking the mixes.  As it is, two parts East Midlands,  one part Malmo, one great album.  ****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply