Band history
This band from California is one of the best among it's genre. They have slowly build their repuatiation in punk and pop-punk with their sound that is quite different. The band was found in in 1992. In 1994 they make their debut with Fat Wreck Chord with the release of Another Day In Paradise. Strung Out first start by being a catchy skate/punk band with some metal influance. Also Jason Cruz lyrics were more political/social lyrics.
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 finally Exile In Oblivion in 2004.
Strung Out are:
Jason Cruz - vocals
Rob Ramos - guitar
Jake Kiley - guitar
Jim Cherry - bass
Jordan Burns - drums
About the album
When I first get this album by Strung Out, I was a little bit surprise by the way it sound. It was quite different from their new sound. Also, it was also different from Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues even if both album were release closely. This album sound less hard than the newer, but also with fast drum. I think it is more close to original skate/pop punk sound. Also the lyrics are less abstract and developped than on other album. This album will show you the great improvement Strung Out have done to get to the sound they have today.
Positive Aspect
I think the album have a great fast sound that every fan of pop-punk will surely like. The bass and guitar sound really good, maybe not as good as on Strung Out later work. The drum is fast like hell like on any Strung Out album. Also, Jason Cruz vocal are amazing, I've always like how he sing. The lyrics, like on any other Strung Out album, are really meaningful. They describe society problems, talk about politic and sometime about emotion. I think this album is really melodic, it is one the force of Strung Out. I can't really point bad song on this album, like on other Strung Out album they try to make all their song listenable and really work on it. They really show all their talent in song like Population Control and Ashes. The sound is simply amazing.
Negative Aspect
I think this album have a quite repetitive sound, it miss some originality and diversity. Some song exactly sound the same and it will sometime let you down. It is always the same fast sound with some difference. I think Strung Out is a band that grow from album to album. It easily the worst they have done so far. We can easily notice by listening to other album that this band can do much better. The album is also short, you will also see that their aren't many standout tracks. Even if I said their was not really a bad song on this album, the only song I can think of as a great one is Population Control.
Conclusion
This album is not bad, but it is far from other Strung Out work. In fact a good pop-punk album with nice sound and lyrics. It could be better, but I think every good Strung Out fan will like it. On the other hand I wouldn't consider this album if you want to get into this band. It doesn't show their maximum potential. Also Jason Cruz vocal are good but not at is best. I would consider getting other Strung Out album before getting this one. So in conlusion, it is good but the album will let you down if you expect Strung Out at is best. Strung Out is a great band with some of the greatest musician in pop-punk but this album doesn't reflect all their talent. So I give it
3.5/5 To get seriously if your a fan of the band.
Recommended tracks
-Population Control
-Talking To Myself
-Ashes
-Alone
-Mad Mad World
