An American Paradox

Strung Out | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 23, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fat Wreck Chords
• ASIN: B0000640LD
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,471 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not their best, but it still delivers, April 27, 2002

By 

Alucard (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An American Paradox (Audio CD)

Strung Out is a huge name in the punk scene. These guys have been around for a long time now, and each time, they deliver album after album of solid punk tunes. They also feature one of the most talented drummers in the punk scene as well. Out of all their great discs, I'd say their best are "Twisted By Design" and the "Sonic Defiance" EP. Both those cds show the best of what Strung Out are able to do. Being a fan before this release, I can say I was egarly anticipating this one. When It came out, I snatched it up, put it into my player, and cranked up the volume.

With "An American Paradox", Strung Out continues everything that they have been doing. Solid punk tunes with heavy guitar riffs, fast druming and throaty vocals. This is not really a bad thing, but more is a bit of a repetitive thing. There's not much variation in this release then in their others. If you were looking to see Strung Out enter a new direction with this cd, you'll be a bit disapointed, but if you like Strung Out just the way they are and never want them to change, you'll be sure to love this disc, as it is a good one.

My favorite track would probably be "Lubricating the Revolution". This is Strung Out at their finest, its fast, its heavy and it has a very cool guitar solo in the middle. My other favorites are "Velvet Alley", "Alien Amplifier", "The Kids", "Unkoil", "Razor Sex" and the six minute ballad, "Cemetary". However, this is a Strung Out cd, and like all their others, its solid all the way through.

While it isn't my favorite Strung Out cd, its another solid addition to thier name. If you are a fan of them, you probably have this already, but even if you aren't a fan, you should give a listen as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Come on, people, November 12, 2002

By 

James (South Salem, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An American Paradox (Audio CD)

After a few reviews on this CD, I had to react. It seems that some people are really hung up on the whole "punk" image and the idea that a band that starts off in the punk scene has to stay there until their career ends. That's ridiculous- punk music, while having its relevance in our world, is not the entire world. Today, in fact, punk possesses as much potential to affect popular culture in a radical and political fashion as fishnet stockings. There is nothing punk about fast music and anti-establishment lyrics anymore. The syle of music we call punk has evolved from the Ramones and Sex Pistols and taken influence from pop culture to become just another social group or a different section on the music lover's CD rack. Sure, some kids hang on to the music because it's "all they have" to get them through the day, but underground hip-hop possesses the same power. People shouldn't bash Strung Out because they play metal and punk-influenced rock, nor should they find it a shortcoming that the band isn't "punk as ..." This CD is more composed than the last few and tracks like "the contender" and "satellite" have the power to move the listener to take charge of the day or to call that person who they miss and tell them that they meant something to them. And it rocks out on many parts as well! Over all, don't look at a good rock CD and judge it as something it isn't. It's music (independent music to boot!), it's the reflection of the band, how they feel inside. How can you say it's brainless?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strung Out Strings Out Their Best Riffs!, April 13, 2004

By 

Michael Zimmermann (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An American Paradox (Audio CD)

I was first introduced to this CD on a Fat Wreck/Honest Don's compilation CD that included the awesome punky "Kill Your Scene." A few months later, I bought the whole CD of "American Paradox" on eBay, and when I listened to it, I realized that many of my favorite bands' sounds were skillfully molded into some quality power-punk/hard rock! The sounds of Thrice, Senses Fail, and even hard rockers Chevelle have all been melted into the diverse sound that makes up Strung Out today. Some songs
like "Alien Amplifier," remind me of what I would call a "hard rock ballad" with some punk influences. "Lubricating the Revolution" is a great song that hints back to the days of "Another Day in Paradise," and reminds me of Senses Fail but with some harder rocking guitars. This CD is definately for fans with diverse musical tastes, because it doesn't get pigeonholed into only one style. Highly recommended, this CD shows that the band's sound has matured greatly in the 10 years this amazing band has been together.