Strung Out first start by being a catchy skate/punk band with some metal influance. Also Jason Cruz lyrics were more political/social lyrics. Their first album was Another Day In Paradise, then they release their second album Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues which faster and with improve lyrics. After, in 1998, the band put the album out. First Twisted by Design their third LP and a 7inch call Crossroads and Illusions. Then in 2000 the band take a drastic change in their sound with the release of their album The Element of Sonic Defiance. They start to make their sound more dark, with even more metal influance and also more metaphorical lyrics. Then the band release American Paradox in 2002 and Exile In Oblivion in 2004.
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Band Members
When the album was record
Jason Cruz - vocals
Rob Ramos - guitar and back vocals
Jake Kiley - guitar
Jim Cherry - bass
Jordan Burns - drums
Today
Jason Cruz - Vocals
Jake Kiley - Guitar
Rob Ramos - Guitar, Back vocals
Chris Aiken - Bass, Back vocals
Jordan Burns - Drums
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Track Review
[1.Crossroads] This is the opening song of the album, this song can also be find on the album Twisted By Design. The song start with a really fast drum beat and guitar in the background. After a couple of second, Jason Cruz start to sing slowly as the drum beat become more slow. The song become more fast during the chorus. Jason Cruz are always calm during the entire song. On the lyrical side, the song seem to talk about when a band sell out and all the band become only business. Here is a part of the lyrics:''
I can't believe the lies we tell ourselves the music used to be everything the music used to heal but business soon becomes reality''. It is not what I find great lyrics but it is ok. In overall this song is good, it is nothing amazing but it still have nice vocal and good sound.
8/10
[2.Mind Of My Own] This song is surely one of the best by Strung Out, you will also find this song on the album Twisted By Design. The song start with an amazing guitar riff, then the drum start to play slowly. After Jason Cruz vocal enter the song. It lead fast to the chorus which simply great. Not only the chorus are great but the song from the beginning to the end. It as amazing vocal work by Cruz. Even the sound is incredible and I don't see something wrong to say about this song. The lyrics are great and really meaningful. They talk about anxiety, loneliness, depression and indecision. Here is a part of the lyrics I really like: ''
I change the channel, I change my mind, I change my life I want to leave it all behind cause I don't have a mind of my own I am influenced
by everything I see''. In overall this song is near perfection to me. It as awesome sound, vocal and lyrics. One of my favorite song by this band.
10/10
[3.Barfly] Finally a song that is only find on this album. The song start with guitar and fast drum, then Jason vocal enter the song. After 20 seconds of song, vocal will stop for a moment, then Jason start to sing again. The sound is good and catchy, the chorus are great. I also like Jason Cruz vocal on this song. The lyrics are also great, they talk about some kind of adiction to drugs or alcohol. I think we can also come to conclusion that the song is about Jason personal adiction. Here is a part of the lyrics I really like:''
Just one more fix just a little bit of that heaven I found crawling in the sun sitting, waiting, calling me to indulge in this game''. In overall, I find this song great and really interesting by the subject talk in it.
9/10
[4.Ghost Town] This song is another song that you will only find on this album. The only problem is that this song is certainly not as good as Barfly. In fact this song is quite average. I really like the beginning of the song before the vocal enter, after this, the song is just ok. Nothing more to say about. I don't think it is an interesting part of this album.
7/10
[5.Open Mic] The sound and musicallity of this song is great but the only problem is that the song is only instrumental, so you will not find any vocal in it. You will maybe find it interesting the first time you will listen to it. It as great guitar riff, nice bass line and great drum. But it become boring really fast.But believe me, you will skip this track, nothing special here.
6.5/10
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The good aspects
I think the greatest aspect of this album is the fact that it is cheap to buy. Also you will find three song that you will not find on any other album by Strung Out. Just to listen to Barfly is worth buying this. It is also a great idea to complete your collection of Strung Out albums if you are a great fan of the band.
The negative aspects
The first negative aspect is that the two first songs can already be find on their album Twisted By Design. I also think the fact of putting an intrumental song on this album was a bad idea. It is also a really short album.
Conclusion
I would only consider getting this album if you already are a great fan of the band. Try to keep in mind that you pay for only one great songs since two of them can be find on other album and the two last one are average. If you are not really familiar with the band, I would consider getting one of their LP first. So, in conclusion, I don't think this is a bad release but Strung Out have done much better. So I give it
3.5 / 5.
Recommended Tracks
-Barfly
-Mind Of My Own
