(punk) Strung Out - Twisted By Design
Strung Out have been around for about twelve years now, releasing their debut "another day in paradise" on fat wreck chords, the label which they still release records on to this day, the most recent being "exile in oblivion".
"twisted by design" was released in 1998 before the departure of original bassist and main lyricist Jim Cherry (sadly deceased), and was their first record to show their now signature metal-influenced sound (most noticable in the solos). this is one of my favourite albums ever, and although i first heard it about a year ago, i still listen to it regularly (like, twice a week at the least!!!)
band:
jason cruz - vocals and lyrics
rob ramos - guitar and vocals
jake kiley - guitar
jim cherry - bass and lyrics
jordan burns - drums
the review:
1. TOO CLOSE TO SEE - this is easily one of the best album openers i have ever heard! it starts with a single guitar note played rapidly, before the (inhumanly fast) drums and the bass come in. the vocals are amazing, but dont drown out the instruments. this song is incredibly fast, until the mid section where it slows down before the amazing dual-guitar tapping solo. (5/5)
2. EXHUMATION OF VIRGINIA MADISON - this song has a great intro, with the guitars sounding like theyre being driven to destruction. as is typical of strung out, it is tuneful without being sickly and poppy. this song has a couple of tempo changes, and a cool solo, and a weird subject matter (necrophilia? or have i interpreted it wrong? answers on a postcard....). short sharp and to the point. (4.8/5)
3. DEVILLE - starting with a solo, deville has a more "chuggy" feel to it as the guitars stab in the verse, before the tunefulness of the chorus. this is one of those songs which seems to be upbeat yet slightly depressing but in a good way. (4.5/5)
4. MIND OF MY OWN - one of my favourite songs one the album, you can tell something good is coming right from the moment the first foreboding chords come in at the intro. it's about how television and laziness seem to run peoples minds. slower than most of the other tracks, but still very tuneful, and somehow, fairly heavy. (5/5)
5. REASON TOO BELIEVE - wahey bass intro!!!! this song is probably the heaviest and most hardcore-influenced on the album, but it doesnt resort to all-out shouting more than is necessary. features some cool gang vocals and an ***-ripping metal solo. not the best song on the album, but still a standout track. (4.5/5)
6. CROSSROADS - this is more mid-tempo, and theres a cool effect on the guitars throughout and a bit of distortion on the vocals in places. the chorus has one of the best tunes on the album, and the bit after the second and last chorus is cool too. what first appears as a bit of a letdown after the heaviness of the previous track, turns out to be another cracking song. (4.4/5)
7. PAPERWALLS - a nice melodic riff in the intro leads into a fairly uninspiring verse, but it soon picks up as it gets nearer the chorus. this song kinda grew on me as i didnt like it first. the bass is also quite impressive in the bridge section, something that most melodic punk bands seem to neglect (take note from rancid - more bassige!!!!). a less upbeat track overall, and definitely a grower. (4/5)
8. ICE BURN - although the intro is violently amazing, this song seems a bit out of place on the album. it hints towards the more experimental edge the band worked with on their subsequent "element of sonic defiance" EP (it sounds kinda like "mission to mars" from that EP), but isn't one of my favourite tracks by any means, although it still doesn't warrant skipping. (3.5/5)
9. ULTIMATE DEVOTION - the intro to this song kicks ***, and then the guitars enter and it just gets better, with the drums never letting up. i think the lyrics are hinting towards S&M ("you'll be my master ill be your servant") lol, and this just makes the song even better! (4.5/5)
10. KING ALVAREZ - a nice jumpy intro riff that kinda reminds me of "alien amplifier" from the "american paradox" album. this is one of the most tuneful tracks on the album, and the guitars have that similar "chuggy" feel in the verse, like in "deville". this is also one of the most upbeat sounding tracks. pretty good song, all told. (4.4/5)
11. ASKING FOR THE WORLD - similar in pace to "mind of my own" this song has a cool yet simple intro, and the the bridge section adds a nice bit of variety to the song just before the solo. the solo kinda reminds me of Guns n Roses for some reason, but without the pointless widdling and wankery that Slash always added, (yeah I hate gnr). this is about the only song that directly addresses relationships, but not in the horribly cheesy way that pop-punk bands seem to. (4.7/5)
12. TATTOO - this song is a fairly fast song, which seems to go from depressing to happy and upbeat at the drop of a hat, with a really good chorus, but the only problem is, its just not as memorable as most of the other tracks. still, its great nonetheless. (4.4/5)
13. JUST LIKE ME - an angry-ish sounding track which somehow has a fun feel to it. the vocals in the verses go from mutterings to near-shouting. the tunefulness never lets up throughout the song. its quite repetitive, but this seems to have a good effect somehow... it almost comes across as a parody of a pop love song, made into a heavy punk rock song. either way its good, if over a little too soon. (4.6/5)
14. MATCHBOOK - the single best intro riff on the album, this is a less upbeat song, yet incredibly anthemic and a great end to the album. an example of the great lyricism is hugely evident in this song ("dont look back in anger now its all that you can see, cuz anger's all i got to keep me warm when you're away") and the drum fills that jordan manages to pull off in the outro are nothing short of amazing, without being over-the-top. the weird vocal sample at the end is a nice touch, reinforcing the "twisted" part of the album title. (5/5)
OVERALL - the musicianship in this album is amazing, with all of the band pulling trick after trick out of the bag, with no needless self-indulgence. i've seen jasons vocals being slagged off by some reviewers, but i'd say they are some of the best vocals i've heard in a while, and his ability to hold a tune is second to none. the production is such that, while not being over-polished, it doesnt sound like its been recorded in a shoe box (im looking at you, the strokes!!!!) and retains the feel that, when put the disc in your cd player, it feels like you've stumbled in on a Strung Out band rehearsal where they just happen to play every song perfect first time round. just how a punk album should be IMHO. every instrument is audible and "given room to breathe" to use a cliche. although i've given some songs lower ratings that others, the album as a whole, flows well, another thing most melodic punk bands seem to neglect. to me, this is an essential own for anyone with even a passing interest in 90s punk. definitely one to convert haters.
OVERALL RATING - 5 outta 5 :thumb:
