Customer Reviews

Blackhawks Over Los Angeles

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i've been a huge fan of strung out since their first album and watched the band progress past a all the other fat wreck chords stuff that seems to all sound the same. it might be fair to say that the band's pseudo apex might have been twisted by design which combined strong guitar work and amazingly heartfelt lyrics that cut into the core of the human condition, and since there seems to be more emphasis on being a metal band than being the unclassifiable genius of twisted by design. i will defend the new ablum and their departure to a melodic metalesque punk fusion by recognizing the strength and beauty that has surfaced in the past two ablums. Exile and Blackhawks are consistently strong almost metal albums which have tons of hooks and guitar solos that could rival dragonforce on a slow day. musically these albums are strong as hell, lyrically though i miss the old days of subterranian and twisted. as a loyal fan i'll continue to listen and appreciate their direction even if its a departure of what i knew and loved.

Let's get one thing straight. I said this was an amazing album. By no means is it their best. It will just simply hold a truth that Strung Out is one of the greatest punk bands to ever exist.

What makes Blackhawks Over Los Ageles so different is that Jake Kiley (the Guitarist) and Chris Aiken (the Bassist) switched roles during the recording process. For those of you that don't get it, Chris wrote guitar parts for Jake and Jake wrote bass parts for Chris. It gave this particular album a different edge while still retaining their signature sound.

Now, after eight prior albums and an EP, they've come a long way and sculpted their sound out of stone (Much like the band CKY; Their sound is unmistakable, as well). Any time you here Strung Out's music, you will know that somebody is playing it near you...and now its time to MOSH!

For those lucky enough to order the Pre-Sale package, with the CD came a bonus track: "More than Words". As of yet, I'm unsure if future CDs will have this bonus track. Also included in the package was a T-Shirt with their Album Logo, and under it the words "Strung Out Till Death" are found.

In 13 tracks (or 12), Strung Out puts a fist in the face of anyone who thought they were out of ideas. They've surprised a few devoted fans with a new twist, but kept that "Strung Out" sound that we all love and need in our lives...for better or for worse.

If you liked Exile in Oblivion, then you will probably like Blackhawks Over Los Angeles as well. BoLA has the similiar punk/metal fusion that began in earnest on The Element of Sonic Defiance and fully embraced on EiO. They do utilize the pop-punk elements of their past a little bit more on this new one and overall I don't think its quite as good, but it still blew me away.

There isn't a weak song on here, but there are a few standouts. "Calling" reminds me of "Analog", both because it sounds similiar and because it was released before the record itself and I listened to it at least a hundred times before buying it. "Downtown" has some heavier guitar parts and some excellent soloing, in addition to brilliant lyrics. Jason never has to beat you over the head with a concept to make a point or provoke emotion. The song "Letter Home" is probably the clearest song lyrically, lacking Jason's usual metaphors . Its supposed to be a soldier's letter home and it tells a sad story without becoming a cliche rant against war. "Party in the Hills" is another standout, as is "King Has Left the Building". "Diver" brings the record to an excellent, if melancholy, close.

So even though I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I did EiO, BoLA is still incredible. It continues Strung Out's tradition of creativity, in terms of both Jason's lyrics and the music. Definately the best release in 2007 thus far, and I think its unlikely it will be surpassed. Whether you're a die hard Strung Out fan or have never heard of them, this is highly recommended!

This is the Strung Out CD that I keep coming back to. I really like Twisted By Design second best but seriously I think this just has more energy and better songwriting. The guitar work is seriously astronomical and I consider it to still be classic California punk.

I don't write a lot of reviews, but I always make time when it comes to a new Strung Out record. They're too good for the world not to know their music. They're one of the most technical and talented punk bands around and they've never released a bad, or even a mediocre, album.

Obviously then, this is an amazing album. Strung Out pick up where they left off with Exile in Oblivion and have produced another solid album of punk-metal fusion. There are no tracks to be skipped. There are plenty of catchy melodies, great lyrics, powerful drumming, and as always lots of top-notch metal riffage and some very nice solos (the Strung Out guitarists can out-duel anyone in punk).

In terms of over-all sound, this album is perhaps a little "poppier" than Exile in Oblivion. But who f'n cares? There are still lots of blistering metal riffs (try the first track, Calling) as well as much fast drumming. And when I use the term "poppy" in association with Strung Out, I mean it in the best sense of the word: catchy as hell and great for sing-alongs. What's the problem there?! What's awesome about Strung Out, on this and previous record (and live), is that they'll blow your face off *and* have you humming their tunes to and from work.

Buy this album!

I've been listening to Strung Out since their "Twisted by Design" cd came out and then I bought almost all of their cds and that is something to say considering that I live in Argentina, where most of my fav bands cds aren't edited, being SO one of them.

Since "Elements of Sonic Defiance", SO hasn't put out an album which could match that effort until this new record. "Blackhawks.." sounds much more better than "American Paradox" and "Exile in Oblivion" together. Their composition has gotten a lot better and this time it really feels like they have put an effort in making a true record and not just a bunch of punk-metal songs. Not only the songs sound much more better but you can also listen clearly to guitar solos and the drumming does really blow your head off.

I know that this review may go against what most of people think of this cd, but well, this is just an opinion. Don't take it personal.

I have been listening to Strung Out since the early years, and this album is amazing. This album sounds like the Old school Strung Out with some f'n edge. Thank you strung out for putting out an album with some passion if I had to listen to anymore commercial punk I was going to kill myself.

I was pleasantly surprised when i first listened to this album. I wasn't sure what direction Strung Out was going to go with this album, but they sure hit it right on. In my opinion it is their best release since Element of Sonic Definace. Since i'm bored his is my ratings of each song.

1. Calling (10/10) Great intro, fast song, awesome solo at the end.
2. Blackhawks over Los Angeles (9/10) Another stand out track.
3. Party in the Hills (10/10) Awesome song. Jordan is a master at the drums.
4. All the Nations (9/10) Poppier song, but i love the chorus.
5. A War called Home (9/10) Another great upbeat song.
6. Letter Home (10/10) Awesome song, i love the lyrics.
7. Orchid (10/10) Great song, reminds me of Razor Sex.
8. Dirty Little Secret (8/10) I just can't seem to get into this song as much as the others.
9. Downtown (10/10) Didn't like this song when i first heard the demo, but the studio version rocks.
10. The King has left the Building (10/10) The song reminds me of a bunch of their old songs mixed together, the ending rules.
11. Mission statement (10/10) Probably my favorite song on the album, Rob and Jake play excellent on this track.
12. Diver (10/10) Another great closing track by Strung Out. They seem to have mastered this with all of their albums.
13. More than Words (10/10) (Bonus song on limited copies) Glad they put this on the album.
14. Novella (8/10)(exclusive itunes track) A strong song but doesn't stand out like the other tracks.

This album quickly took over twisted by design as my favorite Strung Out album. I don't understand all the criticism of Black Hawks, it may be a little more polished and tweaked in the studio than the others but its also the most solid Strung Out album from beginning to end. Every lick, chord, drum beat and vocal harmony is utterly perfect and exactly where it should be. I don't even want to call this punk rock as I feel it limits the amount of people that will hear this masterpiece. Its rock music the way it should be. Honest, catchy and aggressive. Definitely one of the most underrated albums E-V-E-R!!

I've read alot of other reviews for this album and I can't disagree more with alot of people. This album is amazing for the most part. I am guessing that alot of people didn't like it because there are some bad songs on it, which is true, we have been spoiled by strung out album after album where every song is great, with the exception of american paradox. I guess my style and what I like is just different from most, I love all of their most intense fastest songs when most people think those are the worst ones. I love ice burn, razor sex, lucifermotorcade, and for this album its orchid, the song is frinkin amazing!!! In contrast everyone seems to love mission statement which to me was just ok, kinda bland. I think the best songs on here are calling, blackhawks, orchid, war called home, and diver. All the fast ones, but the rest are pretty good too. The only reason i don't give it 5 stars is because not every song is great. I think american paradox is their worst album and I would still give that one 4 out 5 stars for the same reason, about half the album is amazing, the other half not so much, plus it has the worst song they have ever written in alien amplifier. The first two songs are worth the price of the album alone, its like getting punched in the face and then kicked when youre down, amazing!! As a whole its not as good as STWB, TBD, or Exile which would all be 5 out of 5, but for people to say it sucks, I think they need to give it another listen, at least the hard songs. I dont see how anyone that likes TBD could not like the fast songs on this album as well. I know I already mentioned it but Orchid... wow again, I think its the climax of the whole rock genre to this day, that songs rips, it gives me chills, the musicianship is unparalleled, but its still melodic, love it! Anyway I've heard the new album too, sounds great, can't give it a review yet but reminds me alot of Exile which is awesome cause most agree that is their most complete album. Black Crosses will blow you away. Anyway, I'm done rambling, go rock!