Customer Reviews

Strata

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I discovered this band out of the slimmest of chances. Having acquired a copy of a football related Video game looking for a version of the then un-released Chevelle Song "The Clincher", I stumbled upon a song that caught my attention. Before I had heard "Piece by Piece" I had no clue who Strata was, but the one song was enough to spark an interest. Having come by other songs via the Internet, I decided to order this c.d. from the States (as it wasn't on sale in Canada back in October of 2004) and I was instantly blown away.

The opening track "Piece by Piece" is one of a kind. A hard abrasive anthem that starts off the self titled debut like a kick to the head. The C.D. follows up with other greats, such as the extremely catchy "I Will Breathe Fire", the first single off the record "The Panic", and Strata's live show opener "When it's All Burning". The c.d. continues to pound with catchy songs like "Never There", "Today" and "Waiting", and closing off the debut album with the appropriate "In a Sweet Dream". The only major problem with the c.d. is the holes in between. Tracks like "Just Like Silk" "We've Changed" "Trustkilltrust (Instrumental)" and "You are Eternal" seem to drag on forever. The band also puts up an AMAZINGLY outstanding live show, and has what seems to be enough talent to move forward. This self titled Debut C.D. COULD be a must have for the c.d. collection in the very near future.

I just saw Strata lastnight (saturday, Feb. 19) in Toronto for their first time here in Canada, they opened up for Chevelle with Crossfade and Helmet. This cd is worth the buy, all tho its not avable in canada yet, it will be in March!. They were very good live and every track on this cd is awesome! Also met the band after the show they were nothing but nice guys. hope you enjoy this album as much as I do!

Strata is a new band coming straight out of California and they're unlike any other band you've ever heard. They've got an unique sound that you should defitnely try listening to. You can sample their album at www.stratadirect.com. Listen to the song 'Piece by Piece' or 'The Panic' and I guaranteed you'll be blown away. I recommend anyone who likes them to see them live. I saw them at Snocore tour with Smile Empty Soul and Trapt. Let me tell you...they were beyond amazing =) Best of all, I got to meet Hrag and he was so cool. BUY THIS ALBUM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE... YOU'LL LOVE IT! IT'S GREAT! THERE ISN'T A MEDIOCRE SONG OUT OF THE WHOLE CD! ALL PURE EXCELLENCE.

I was walking through the Virgin Megastore in Orlando a few months ago, when I decided to give this a shot, without listening to it first. Wow, am I glad I bought it! I'm one of those people who like to "discover" lesser known bands. That is, buy their CD before I ever hear them on the radio. I did this with bands like Yellowcard and Flogging Molly. This is another success.

In a dreary rock world where the taste in music is "monochromatic" Strata is a great change. I hesitate to compare their sound to anyone else. They rock without offending. The voice of the lead vocalist is great, enciting emotion through through the listener, no matter what the song.

1. Piece by Piece- There is no better "first song" on any CD. The tone this sets symbolizes the power you'll get listening to this. This piece slams, with authority. Drums, guitars, powerful vocals. This has it all.

2. I will Breathe Fire- A little slower than the first track. The change of pace is nice though. The drums are what stick out to me.

3. Panic- The repeated verse "Every second changes everything in my life, the panic will see me through," is accented by the great emotion lead singer Eric Vittorino, and timely guitar riffs.

7. Never There- Another slower piece, but by no means a ballad. Once again, the lead vocals stick out with plenty of emotion. Probably the saddest piece of the album.

9. Trustkilltrust- Less vocals, more music. This one gives me the sense that the world is twisted in the story this CD is trying to tell. I like this one a lot.


I've gotten about 12 or 13 people to buy this CD after listening to it. I sincerely hope you pick it up too, if you like it.

I was hunting a CD by Sublime when I came by this CD in the Amazon.com search engine and something deep within me made me purchase this CD. I believe this is Strata's first CD and hopefully won't be their last. They show much promise and plenty of opportunity. What caught me about this artist was the cover artwork. Listening to samples of songs within this CD I knew then and there I would need to get this one - it's a keeper. There are 12 tracks and 10 of them are utterly superb. This is pure alternative rock at its best. The lead male vocalist is Eric Victorino and he outdoes himself, better than Chad Kroeger and on par with Eddie Vedder of PJ and on par with Mike Shinoda of LP. The songs are touching and you cannot help but move parts of your body to the strumming rock beats and sing along to the crafty catchy lyrics.
The best songs on this album and one's I totally loved were 'I will Breath Fire', 'The Panic', Just Like Silk, 'Never There' and 'Today'. I have included 'The Panic' and 'Never There' on my New Years Eve Playlist this coming NY's. But the opening of Trustkilltrust' puts metalica to shame. Simply put, this album is worth more than 5 stars maybe 9.5/10. Happy listening.

I love this CD and have played it weekly since I bought it. I can not wait for the next CD.
Barry

~~I've had this cd downloaded for six months now and finally bought it, it is just so epic. Strata is nothing new, but certainly derived their own flavor out of some of the best bands around.~~~~I'd like to say one thing no one has said yet, how they borrow from Far. The singing and lyrics are not that different. Also on my favorite song (everyone should hear this song), "I Will Breathe Fire", the part where he says "woke up on a beach" could be Jonah Matranga himself (singer of Far/Onelinedrawing/Gratitude). I do have to say what they have on Far is a much louder and cleaner sound, and I mean that in a good way.~~~~If you're a huge fan of Strata (good pick, first off) try Far's "Water & Solutions" or "Tin Cans with Strings to You", I'm quite sure you'll really get something out of either.
~~~~And anyone that says this band sucks, take a minute and listen to the lyrics and the CD as a whole, it's under 45 minutes, anyway. ~~~~Anyone wanting to talk Strata or Far, firefoxussr on aim.

Awesome album i just purchased a few days and can't stop listening to it. I love how they switch up from soft to hard rock in the middle of a song. If you ever get a chance to go see these guys do it. I saw them at the HOB in north myrtle beach last wk and they def rocked out peace!

My first exposure to Stata was back in March of 2004. They were opening the SnoCore tour (with Finger Eleven, Smile Empty Soul and Trapt) and I had the pleasure of seeing them live, and although I knew nothing about them at the time, I was extremely impressed with their show and intrigued by their sound. I got this the day it came out, and it hasn't left my CD player yet. Strata's self-titled debut brings some new sounds to the table of current modern rock. I can't really pin their sound down, because really, they don't sound like anyone else. There are traces of Deftones and A Perfect Circle influences in their music, but they take their influences and mash them up so well, that they create their own style. Vocalist Eric Victorino has a very distinct emotional voice that just sweeps over the music, with emotional and direct lyrics that will engage and engross you. The band is very gifted and show just as much competence, if not more, than the competition, with guitarist Ryan Hernandez creating a wall of sound that compliments Victorino's vocals effectively. There is a great deal of variety in these songs. "I Will Breathe Fire" and the second, newest single, "Never There" are catchy, radio-ready hits, but the more textured and personal tracks like "The Panic" (which was also released as a single) and "When It's All Burning" are what gives this album the most weight. Other highlights include the slinky "Just Like Silk," the hard-edged "Peice By Piece" and the powerful closer "In A Sweet Dream." Strata are certainly a breed apart in the world of modern rock. They produced this album themselves and did an incredible job. Hopefully they get bigger, because they deserve it -- and hopefully being attached to the flop "Elektra" doesn't cripple them. They deserve just as much success as any band you hear on the radio today. If you want something fresh, pure and worth your time, pick up Strata's debut.

since seeing them open for dredg in may of last year i have found strata to be a very intriguing band. i picked up their ep "now the industry is burning...." which had 5 of the songs that are on this release [all of which were re-recorded] and was a little disappointed compared to their live show but none the less very good. i mainly listen to hardcore bands [dillinger escape plan/norma jean/every time i die] but this is just really good rock music. i downloaded the rest of their cd off mp3.com at the time and have been waiting for this release for some time. while the songs are all the same [except for "today" which is new] it is still well worth picking up. i liked the original version of "waiting" better but almost all the songs sound better. scariest thing about the band is that they are on wind-up records so hopefully there music won't fall apart like most of the band's on wind-up but with strata that should not be a problem.

standout tracks: everything except i will breathe fire

favorites: we've changed/waiting/when it's all burning/the panic

pick it up....it is the best rock album released this year...