Customer Reviews

Strata Presents the End of the World

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first thing the listener will notice upon their first listen to "Strata Presents: The End Of The World" is that it is a drastic change in direction for the band from their self-titled debut. In fact, the opening track, "Night Falls (The Weight Of It)" doesn't even sound remotely like the Strata we got to know three years prior. So, is this change a bad thing? Absolutely not. Eschewing the alternative hard-rock of the debut for something a little lighter and more experimental makes the emotions of singer Eric Victorino come across much clearer than before and with even more impact. It going to be easier for the bulk of the fanbase to dismiss this album than it will be for them to give it a chance, give it time, and let it sink in. What we have here, in fact, is miles beyond what the band had accomplished before. Much of "The End Of The World" is a concept piece, which can be determined by taking a quick glance at the quirky art that graces the liner notes. But instead of getting angry and political, Strata seem focused on the beauty of life and it's shameful destruction. Songs like "Stay Young" and "Love Is Life" are not just catchy and moving, but also affecting and somewhat haunting. Victorino is truly in top shape here, as the band supplies him with enough hooks and melodies to keep this album in rotation much longer than the average rock record. On the flipside, there is the up-tempo, bizarrely hooky "Cocaine (We're All Going To Hell") and the murky "The New National Anthem," which serve as the darkside to the album. But that's what it's all about. Twists and turns. One minute you're basking in it's glorious, natural beauty, and the next, you're feeling sorry for it. Strata have truly outdone themselves with this record. It may not sound a thing like their debut, but it's a compelling and engaging record that everyone should give a chance. And the best part? It doesn't sound like anyone else out there.

... by a great band. Strata has grown leaps and bounds since their first outing. Check this CD out, you won't be disappointed.

Well after much anticipation, the boys finally decided to grace us with their second release entitled, "Strata Presents: The End of the World". Within 10 seconds of the first song, you'll immediately notice some huge differences from their first album. As the album progresses, there will be a few standout songs, such as "Coma Therapy", "Cocaine (we're all going to Hell)", "Stay Young", and "The new National Anthem". Afterwhich, not a whole lot is to be said. But as you give it a second try, each song seems to get sucked into your head, which will result in them getting stuck there. The sound of Eric Victorino's voice has certainly changed since their first released, and he's done a great job doing it. No doubt He spends a great deal of time in his upper-voice this album, which might scare away some of the fans from the first album. However, the more you listen to it, the more addictive it is, and the more you really do enjoy the change in the band... as well as the change in Eric's voice.

Strata has come up with something completely different here, and it's amazing. It sure took them a while to come out with this album, but it was well worth the wait. They polished each song and each one can truly stand on it's own, after you give it some time.

As a whole, I am very impressed with this album. Not only because they actually changed their sound for the better, but because they're honest in their work. They give it to you pretty straight up. This band truly has shown that change isn't always a bad thing. After hearing this, I am looking forward to what they have in store for us next time.

Hopefully the world is ready for Strata, because

like it or not, they are here and they're giving

it to you straight, no blinders and from the

heart. Strata Presents the End of the World is

without a doubt one of the most meaningful albums

released this year. So many words can be used to

describe it from haunting, to untethered, to

inspirational, illuminating and even a word as

simple as real.

The untempered emotion that went into writing

this album is apparent in songs like

Hot/Cold(Darling Don't), Stay Young and Love Is

Life, where we are faced with feelings we've all

had to deal with or will have to deal with at

some point in life and just how deep the

soul-searching has to go in order for us to

survive. The combination of excruciatingly

realistic songs such as Cocaine(We All Go To

Hell) and The New National Anthem, have given

this album an edge on some issues that we are

faced with and so often afraid to talk about.

There is no fear here. There is no turning back.

And if you can listen to this album and walk

away not thinking about it later, there's a good

chance you're already dead.

excellent cd! very different from their 1st album, but great! i love it.
cant wait for their next album. great music, harmony, lyrics, drum parts, guitar, bass, all the sound and ambient is great

Honestly... this is probably the greatest CD I've purchased this year. It is definitely a much different album than their previous release, but DAMN is it just as good, if not better! Damn... "Daylight in the City" is definitely my favorite track on this record.

I could not agree more with the review written by Mr Censored. I will then keep it short. Strata has gone from generic yet at the head of the pack modern hard rock to very personnal emotional atmospheric art rock.
I liked the first album, but as I said, found it a bit generic, but this one just give me thrills. It's just one of my fave of 2007, and that says a lot. It is stupid to especially mention the amazing drumming and Eric's voice, because the album works as an entity, but I still do it :-)
Kudos to the band and their records company to have the b*lls to change the formula, and look ahead
Give it a try, and if you were hoping for a copy of the first album, give it another try and open your mind. You won't regret it

The title of this review says it all. This cd is very different from Strata's self-titled release. I am a fan of their first release, except the the song, "Just Like Silk", but I think this new album surpasses the first album by far. Five stars is not a high enough rating for this album. Again, I cannot emphasize enough, if you are looking for a hard rock album, don't buy this one. In no way am I telling you to not listen to it, because I highly recommend you do, but if it's hard rock you're looking for, you will be disappointed and then quick to negatively judge this amazing album. This album for the listener who seeks an album with clever lyrics that are easily relatable to and tackle more mature issues in todays world. It's for the listener who seeks something artsy yet very catchy, singable and even dancable at times. I really could go on and on about this album and tell you how amazing in detail each memorable songs is, but that would take forever.

These songs are amazing, most especially "Night Falls" and "Coma Therapy". I think Eric Vittorino is a genius. Anyways, this CD has made me very happy. I found some excerpts from his book at his MySpace and I'm thinking about getting that as well. He goes into some detail about the motivation behind some of the songs on this album. His notes on "Poughkeepsie New York" should be noted, because the story behind it is quite unique.

Sorry to sound like such a rabid fan, but in my opinion if you buy this CD you won't be disappointed.

On Strata Presents The End of the World, Eric Victorino finally augments his raw emotional delivery with true vocal skill and technique, which makes it all the more searing. The tenuous-sounding control lends his delivery an emotional depth and maturity that pure, raw emotion can lack.

Comparisons have been drawn to Dredg, and while I can hear the musical similarities, the lyrics on Strata Presents... are refreshingly free of the self-congratulatory, wealthy suburban pomposity that can bog down the other band lyrically.

Personal favorites for beauty and emotion are "Hot/Cold (Darling Don't)" and "Daylight in the City."

The departure from overtly hard rock strikes me as a natural growth and change in overall outlook, musicianship, and influence. The members of Strata demonstrate a genuine devotion to creativity and musicianship that leads me to believe that this album doesn't so much represent Strata's *new* sound as it does Strata's *current* sound.