Customer Reviews

Exile in Oblivion

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After going through three phases... Strung Out has come to the point where they have found their sound. They started out as an okay skate/punk band no better than others on Fat Wreck Chords at the time with their first two albums "skinny years" and "Another Day in Paradise". Then they made two excellent cds that some still consider their best, myself included as with "Twisted by Design" and "Suburban Teenage...". What came next was the transitional period where they tried to fuse punk and metal as on "Element of Sonic Defiance" and "An American Paradox"... both reletively good albums but nothing spectacular. Finally, they released "Exile In Oblivion". I knew this would be something better from the first time I heard "No Voice of Mine" on Rock Against Bush Vol. 1. It is one of those albums that grabs from the opening seconds and holds your attention through every song until ending perfectly. No filler on here though there are some songs better than others (none being anything less than 5/5). There are no other bands on the face of this Earth that sound like Strung Out which makes them all the more amazing to listen to... its kind of hard to even place them in a genre these days.
1. Analog- This song has the ability to be one of Strung Out's greatest songs ever written. It starts the album off perfectly with its eerie intro and hard hitting guitar bursts. It also has some of the best drumming and lyrics of the album.
2. Blueprint of the Fall- Continues the album moving right along with one of the catchiest songs on the album. As with the rest of the songs this also has great lyrics.
3. Katatonia- One of my personal favorites has got to be this one. It is one of the best songs to mosh to or see live. One that you cant help but scream out with or pump your fists.
4. Her Name In Blood- This song is one of the first ones you will be able to sing along to when you first hear it. It is probably the most distinct song on the album.
5. Angeldust- This slower song is a great singalong. It has great lyrics with an eerie sound and talks about things which southern californian's can relate to.
6. Lucifermotorcade- This song is usually the least liked by people at first listen. I for one, think it is very good. It is the hardest song on the album and offers a change of pace from Angel Dust
7. Vampires- Another great "ballad"... extremely catchy and one that you pick up like that.
8. No Voice Of Mine- The first song I heard off this album and still one of my favorites. This great song has the coolest overall sound to it than any other song. A classic.
9. Anna Lee- Another very catchy song with an uplifting mood to it.
10. Never Speak Again- One of the best songs Strung Out have ever written... its sound shows all of the work they evidently put into this one.
11. Skeletondanse- Actually my least favorite song on the album although still an easy 5/5 Just not as magnificent as the rest of the songs.
12. Scarlet- A Strung Out love song... you know its gonna be good.
13. Swan Dive- An awesome sound with more of the Strung Out punk feel of their older days
14. Misanthropic Principle- Definately one that will eventually become a favorite... just maybe not one you will love right off the bat.. but an awesome song and a great way to close this album.

Overall: One of the best albums to be released in years... strung outs best?? maybe

"An American Paradox" was slight dissapoint for me from Strung Out. On one level they were moving beyond their previous musical stylings and trying new things that in some cases worked extremely well, but they were also straying away from the great punk rock sound that they had always maintained, and that was kind of disappointing. However with "Exile In Oblivion", Strung Out shows they still have their punk sensibility to go along with the nact for experimenting with metal elements. What results is Strung Out's best album since "Twisted By Design", and very surprisingly went relatively unnoticed in 2004 when it was released. More than 15 years after their inception, Strung Out is still alive and kicking, and "Exile In Oblivion" is a true testament to that.

Where "An American Paradox" saw the band moving further and further into uncharted territory, often times losing their balance between punk and metal, "Exile In Oblivion" brings them right back. Listening to the blistering opener "Analog" you'll notice the band effortlessly blends the best metal elements they've begun to explore, with their root punk rock sound. What results is astounding. Tracks like "Blueprint Of The Fall" and "Lucifermotorcade" are shining examples of that. While Strung Out can obviously hit you heavy with those tracks, they can also recall their vintage sound from "Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues" with tracks like "Swan Dive" and "Anna Lee". This gives the album an incredible balance. Strung Out has always been at their best when they were writing melodic, catchy music, and they prove they are still more than capable of doing that. The guitars can dazzle you with metallic riffs or solos on tracks like "Scarlet" and "Katatonia", but can also give you a solid punk feeling on "Angeldust" and "Never Speak Again". The drums are the best that the band has ever recorded, and further elevate the credibility of the musicianship. Jordan's lyrics are especially impressive on "Exile In Oblivion", as he talks about everything from the current state of our country to personal struggle. This gives tracks like "No Voice Of Mine" and "Skeletondanse" an extremely honest feeling. The album is perfectly paced, never dragging on too long or ending to abruptly. Rounding out at 14 song and 44 minutes, it's really the perfect length and you will find yourself overwhelmingly satisfied because every song on this album is a pleasure to listen to.

Whatever doubt I had in my mind about these guys has definitely been erased after listening to this record. Strung Out has proved they still have a valuable place in today's music world, which is more than lacking original bands like Strung Out (who go virtually uncredited, despite making some of the best music around). If you ever liked Strung Out on any of their previous releases, chances are you're going to find something about this cd to fall in love with. It will also probably open you to other aspects of their sound if you are a newer fan or a die hard original. "Exile In Oblivion" was easily one of 2004's top records in not only the punk genre, but any musical genre. Give it a listen, I promise no disappointments.

Tired of run of the mill "punk" acts populating FUSE? Don't worry, Strung Out understands. Playing an agressive blend of hardcore melodic punk and metal for over ten years now, Strung Out have developed a pretty huge name for themselves and still have been able to keep an underground status. After An American Paradox came out in 2002, a lot of fans were disappointed by the fact that it was a bit slower and poppier then previous cds. I liked An American Paradox, but compared to Twisted By Design and The Element Of Sonic Defiance, it was a step down do to a vast majority of medicore filler tracks in between gems like "Velvet Alley", "Lubricating The Revolution", "Satillite" and "Cemetery". Luckily, Exile In Oblivion puts the band right back at the top of their game. Is this their best record yet? Its a tough call and most fans will probably split on that outcome, however, all fans of the band will love this record either way.

After the band released an mp3 of "Lucifermotorcade" in mid September, it seemed as if the band was leaning stronger towards their metal side for this record. The band also announced that this was indeed their heaviest release yet. However, those who go into it expecting 14 Lucifermotorcades won't exactly find what they're looking for. I haven't quite decided if this is indeed their heaviest disc (this will be disputed for a while), but its not exactly an all out heavy record. The record delivers exactly what you think a Strung Out record would: fast, energetic hardcore punk with a hint of metal here and there. Don't let that detour you from checking out the disc tho, Exile In Oblivion is amazing. The band doesn't completely redefine themself, yet their take their songwriting and musicianship to a higher standard then on any previous record. Jason delivers the best vocals he ever has and Jake & Rob pull of some really incredible lines on their guitars. Jordan and Chris are both doing top notch work as well, and as a whole it really shows that the band is quite a force to be reckoned with. This is also the band's darkest cd yet. With lyrics like "Give it away, give it a away, ride this ***** to hell then blow a kiss / When you only think of me / Hold my hand and **** away this blankness of expression" show that Jason isn't holding anything back here, and for it he sounds completely convincing.

The disc opens up exactly like a Good Riddance cd, an out of place sound clip before blasting into the opening track. The clip here is from the 1930's movie Shall We Dance and features actress Peggy Lee singing a part from the song "They Can't Take That Away From Me" before the disc gets started. Its pretty hilarious and its hard to tell when the disc is gonna start, I guarantee you the first time you play it you're gonna jump five feet in the air when "Analog" begins because you're not gonna see it coming. From there however the record begins, and we get 45 minutes of non-stop greatness. "Analog" may be the band's slowest opener when compared to "Firecracker" and "Too Close To See", but it still remains a good song to set the mood for the disc. Jason's vocals really shine here, he sounds amazing. "Blueprint Of The Fall", Her Name In Blood", "Never Speak Again" and "The Misanthropic Principle" are all vintage Strung Out, energetic rockers complete with some really amazing breakdowns, similar to something like "Matchbook". "Katatonia", "Skeletondanse" & "Scarlet" are more vintage Strung Out, except this time they're mid paced and driving similar to something like "Savant". "Angeldust" and "Vampires" are the two slower tracks on the disc. Both songs create a dark and engrossing feel, with "Angeldust" sounding almost identical to b-side "Your Worst Mistake". "Anna Lee" is the poppiest song on the disc, similar in a sense to "Alien Amplifer" except there's no keyboards. Its not a bad song however and you'll definately have the chorus in your head at one point or another. "Lucifermotorcade" is the heaviest track here, going for almost an all-out metal feel. Its a good song but I have to say this is the weakest track on here and doesn't have a lasting effect like any of the other tracks. "No Voice Of Mine" has been re-recorded from the version on Rock Against Bush, its faster and has a different bassline. I've heard people say they either like this one better or the RAB one better, so it can go either way. "Swan Dive" however is the crown gem of this cd and may be the best song the band has ever put to paper. The song is a tribute to ex-member and now deceased Jim Cherry and is a brilliant, energetic track with a shout along chorus. People may bitch about it being a bit poppy but either way the song is fantastic and its almost impossible not to be really moved or get chills as Jason wails "I think about you every now and then, right now..."

My only complaint here is a slight one. I don't think "The Misanthropic Principle" is a fitting closer for the disc. Its a great song don't get me wrong, but it doesn't really put the disc at a proper close like "Matchbook" and "Cemetery" did before it. I think it should have been reversed with "Swan Dive", which would have been a much better song to end the disc with. Either way it doesn't matter, the disc is so close to perfect that nothing can ruin it.

I highly reccomend that everyone, fans or not, should have this disc in their collection. Wether or not this is their best disc ever is a matter of personal preference, but you can't get a more solid disc from the band then this one. Essential.

Pure and Simple this is one of the greatest bands I have ever come across. They amaze me time and time again with they're talent lyrically and musically. I can get into almost every song they've ever written. Not only do they posess talent in the band they are also very interesting individuals. They like kind herb too : p This is a wonderful record so if your shopping and unsure wether to buy it or not- go for it you will NOT be disappointed. My personal Favorite is "Her name in Blood." Please come back to South Florida A.S.A.P. Buying my Warped Tour ticket for you alone was worth the $30. Yeah it wasn;t an in-depth review but whatever I LOVE THIS BAND!

What can I say? It's close to impossible to be Cali-punk/metal/catchy without sounding contrived, yet these guys have done it time and time again with sincerity and vengeance..."American Paradox" was a slip, but this record is a true testament to the talent found in abundance within all these guys-they all shine. I'm not surprised that producer Matt Hyde is behind this (Monster Magnet, Fu Manchu, SLAYER)-this band is about guitars, and they are razor sharp on this. Machinegun drumming, impeccable vocal delivery-wow. This is a modern day crossover classic. Check out slow burner "vampires"-the harmonizing just kills me-Jake and Rob smoke in true Thin Lizzy fashion, and there is plenty of Maiden all over this record as well. I could go on about how much I love these guys, but instead I'll just say buy this and I hope you dig this as much as I do...cuz if you don't you simply don't rock, and that would be sad.

I DL a couple of the songs from this album and didnt find it to be very gripping. A few weekends ago I went out looking for their Live in a Dive album and after three stops couldnt find it. This one was cheap so i picked it up.

I popped it in the car and played it through once. A couple songs gripped me through like Skeletondanse and Scarlett. Not lyrically mind you but musically. Since, Ive went back and the lyrics are interesting to me yet are open to interpretation from the listener.

Ive been through the whole CD many times since day 1 and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I even let a metal head friend of mine listen to it. He had been less than excited about some of their older stuff yet now says he cant stop listening to the tracks off this one and is planning on picking it up himself.

As written in other reviews, this album offers something for the punkrocker or metalhead in you. The music is sharp, fast and crunchy just like what drew me into the SO cult long ago.

If you're a fan, old or new, pick this one up. You will not be dissapointed.

This album is mindblowing. After listening to Twisted by Design, I never would've thought them capable of an album like this. I was caught completely by surprise. I am a Strung Out fan, new and old, but this album beats 'em all. The guitar melodies in songs like Never Speak Again just grab you by the nuts and make you listen. The vocals in Anna Lee just topped 'em all. They're gonna have trouble outdoing themselves next time around. Buy this sh*t, it rocks!!!!

This Album is fantastic. I have been a sporadic fan of Strung Out for just under seven years. I had a copy of STWB, and although it was good, it didn't quite grasp my attention. However, with the release of Exile in Oblivion came my (pardon the pun) ultimate devotion to the band. From the first second that you hit play to the very tail end, it has everything I could ask for in a CD, Including a Billie Holiday sample! The first track get's my blood flowing and my adrenaline pumping, and from then on, the CD brings me slowly back down. It seems that Strung Out travels though so many different places as the album progresses. They've got the hard, fast, in your face songs such as "Analog", there's slower pseudo-ballads, and a couple of poppy songs too. But everything is done SO WELL. As for the lyrics? These are the songs I wish I wrote! Jason Cruz has such a good grasp on the usage of metaphors. His lyrics make my hairs stand on ends. Swan Dive is a wonderfully well written song dedicated to a fallen friend. The words I would use to describe this album would be, simply put, "Beautufully Chaotic." My only complaint is that it's not long enough. As the last song ended, I was praying for some sort of secret track, but the CD just started over again. I gave this album a chance and it made me a fan. It will do the same for you if you take the time to purchase the cd, open it, put it in your CD player, and press play. If Strung Out keeps evolving in this sort of way, there's no telling what they can accomplish.

So here we are, reading these reviews of CDs that all say roughly the same thing. Either they are 1 star, and writing trite nonsense, or they are 5 stars, and over lasting fan praise(which is decidedly bad grounds to base a purchase on).

Well here's the thing, I'm a fan. So of course, I'm more personally biased towards the bands I enjoy, whereas others may not entirely agree with me.

This is a farce.

See, I tried my hardest not to hype this CD up in my head. I convinced myself that I would come to the same conclusions with it, which I had with previous Strung Out Cds.

Suburban? Too generic.
Twisted? Incredible standouts, but some really laggy, boorish tracks as filler.
Sonic? It's an EP that should've been combined with American Paradox. Good, but not complete.
American? Obviously lacking a bit due to music leaks from "fans".

So I went on the assumption that there would be parts to this CD that I liked, and parts I didn't.

But I was wrong. Completely, dead wrong.

The guitar work is excellent, the drumming is top-notch, and for the first time ever, Jason sings every single song *perfectly*.

Here's the thing about Exile. It's catchy as hell, and it's exactly what the band was striving for with Sonic and American, but had failed to achieve. This CD is a very natural progression, but in such a way that it almost redefines the band's persona.

As my friend put it, "they did what Thrice couldn't, they blended true metal elements into punk, and they worked."

Most of these songs feel nothing like older Strung Out, which truthfully, I can't find myself complaining about. I felt that before Twisted, Strung Out suffered from a bad case of Mediocre Generica(to tease another band). Their music suffered at the core of tedium, which most people may disagree with me on, but it's true.

Only Anna Lee seems to reaffirm and point fingers back towards a younger Strung Out. The rest of this CD covers such a broad spectrum of musical movement and precision that it's hard to fathom.

Unfortunately, this CD isn't the best CD ever recorded, and I make no reservations towards such. But, it is very good. It is a CD both punk and metal listeners can find enjoyment in. Most of all, it never seems to wane in intensity.

Perhaps the biggest flaw I can comprehend is that the CD does fall into a slight mathematic formula near the end, but it closes just before it can really be a bother.

If you are a fan of Strung Out, assuredly, buy this CD. If you like hardcore, buy this CD(and none of that emo-screamo stuff). If you are curious at all, listen to clips and decide for yourself. I will say this, if nothing else, it's one of the best releases on Fat in a while, and most likely the best CD Strung Out has produced yet. Finally, they have taken on a sound that is decidedly their own.

Just wanted to add how my head really hurts tonight from head banging so hard in my car to this album. It's sick, the riffs are sick their frontman is sick and whoever said they sound like they got together with Thrice, nice comparison. I've liked SO for a long time, this new music of theirs is friggin awesome from track 1-14. epecially 2 and 10.