Customer Reviews

An American Paradox

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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?

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.

I'm going to agree with the majority and say that "American Paradox" was not a logical step in the right direction as far as musical progression is concerned. This CD would fit in much better, had it been released after "Twisted By Design". The CD doesn't possess the darker side to Strung Out that was shown in "The Elements of Sonic Defiance", but it is every bit as good. The album starts out with "Velvet Alley", which is one of, if not THE BEST song Strung Out has ever done. This song is so killer it's unbelieveable. It gets things started on the right note, but then "Kill Your Scene" starts. This song is very weak, and it is a shame to kill a moment started by "Velvet Alley" like that. Unfortunately, "Alien Amplifier" isn't much better, and I almost died when I heard the keyboards come in. Did Strung Out lose a bet or something? I don't think we want to know. Luckily, the next three songs are all great, and they are all more-rock-less-pop songs. "Lubricating The Revolution" stands out because of its killer guitar solo at the end. "Unkoil" is weak and drawn-out, but "Contender" and "Satellite" (both poppy songs) are awesome. "Contender" has a great solo as well, and "Satellite" has some great guitar parts on it as well. "An American Paradox" is saved by its melodic breakdown, "Dig" is filler, and "Razor Sex" blew me away. It is incredibly fast, and reminiscent of "Ice Burn" from "Twisted By Design". It also has the heaviest breakdown Strung Out has ever done. "Cemetary" closes the album out (unless you got the bonus track, "Don't Look Back"). This song is awesome, albeit a little made-for-radio-play. The bonus track, if you got it, has some great guitar work on it as well (and anotehr killer solo!). As far as the complaints I have go, there are a few disappointing tracks on here, and Jason Cruz's once-stellar voice is pretty bland on this CD. Sometimes, it sounds like he is even out of tune. But aside from that, pick this album up. It is one of my top 10 CDs for 2002.

This cd is a good one, but i want the real strung out. It like sounds that they have been listening to some NFG,Saves the Day,Midtown, stuff. WHY,WHY are all of my favorite bands going soft. Somebody please tell me. I know that all of strung out real fans from back in the day hate this stuff. I'm embarrest to wear my strung out shirt out on the streets cause i feel like a poser now. I love strung out with all my heart but come on guys please put out some songs that are for you true fans that have made you guys big in the first place. You didn't become big from playing Pop-Punk, and same geos for Face to Face, Good Riddance, Millencolin to name a few. Just had to get that of my chest, thanks. This is still a great cd, better than a lot of bands out their today. Still get it if your a true punk rocker and not a poser.

This, Strung Out's 4th full-length, is probably their biggest departure from what they originally were. My rating of 4 stars is based NOT on what the actual album itself sounds like, but more on what it DOESN'T sound like. Where have they gone with the speed metal/punk fusion? It worked so well and sounded so amazing all these years and now it's gone? What is that? Well, they no longer sound like Strung Out, thats all. What we have here is just some heavy sounding metal guitars with a punk vocalist. Jason Cruz also seems to sound a bit different himself, but it's still the same awesome-sounding voice that has given this band it's feel. Based on how this album sounds, I think it's really well done, and that heavy feel is what gives it an edge over other punk bands that use metal influences but don't really inspire. Strung Out know what they're doing, that's for sure. They keep it up, and maybe they'll get the break they deserve, hell, the song Cemetary was a pretty popular song out in CA.
Highlight songs from this great album: Velvet Alley, Alien Amplifier, Contender, Satellite, and Cemetary.

This sounds alot like "Twisted By Design", which is a little disappointing because I loved the direction they were goin with "Elements of Sonic Defiance".

The songs meant to be melodic have the trademark Strung Out sound to em, the heavy ones aren't as imaginative as their last EP though. Although, like always, the first song will get you turning the volume up louder and driving faster...

Regardless of what the die hard Strung Out fans might say, and regardless of what any contemporary punk rock fan might say who says anything good about Green Day in 2004, this CD could be the best punk rock CD of all time. And when Green Day released "Dookie" in 1993 it was the biggest thing to happen to punk rock since Suicidal Tendencies went commercial with "Lights...Camera...Revolution" in 1990 (or when DRI set the standard for thrash metal with punk rock lyrics on "Thrash Zone" in 1989). And when punk rock started to sound more like metal, there was still a defining line. Even to this day, people can still distinguish the difference between punk and metal.

There's no other album since 2000 (or no other band besides Rise Against) that manages to bridge the gap better than "An American Paradox" by Strung Out. I'm traditionally a metal fan and I understand how punk rock fans, especially die hard Strung Out fans, differ in their opinion about this CD. The shift in sound that Strung Out makes with "...Sonique Defiance" and is able to perfect with "American Paradox" is monumental to the music industry even though people don't realize it now. This goes to show that when people start hearing something different from their favorite bands, they tend to reject it outright.

The big surprise is how the reviews for "Exile In Oblivion" might make people think it's a better CD even though it arrives a couple years later with a revised line up. This a huge mistake and I will tell you exactly why. I run Hi-fi in my home and in my car because I don't like to sacrifice sound quality when I listen to music at high volume (100+ db). "Twisted By Design" was mixed as a punk rock album. Even though music is made by the artists, the artist success can hinge on the quality of the mixer in the studio. The mixer is usually not a musician because his hearing has to be perfect. If you compare the mix quality between these 3 CDs, then you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about. Most people who listen to punk rock are playing it through electronic junk that I wouldn't waste 10 seconds of my hearing on. These 3 CDs in succession are obviously mixed by 3 totally different people with the latter being the worst.

And this is aside from the artistic quality of the music that I won't go into here.

Great album! They get better every time I hear them! I like their two newer albums a bit more, but all the same this one is deffinatly worth the money!

This CD is well thought out, and certainly better than anything that's out there at the moment. Strung Out has had their own style ever since they came out with another day in paradise in the mid 90's. They dont follow any trends or sound like anyone. they've got their own sound and style. Jason Cruz hs an outstanding voice and he shows it. The guitar work is metal-driven and melodic. Far from what any normal punk guitars sound like. These guys can play like nobody's business. Booming percussion speeds the album along, and there is some fancy bass work as well. Lyrically, this album is mature compared to the goofy style most punk bands have singing about whatever. Tracks that stand out to me are, Contender, Alien Amplifier, and Razor Sex. Cemetary is the first single off the album and has a cool video. This album deserves 5 stars and certainly earns the title of my favorite album of all time. This band has far more talent that a lot of bands out there, and they never stop moving forward.