Customer Reviews

Strategem

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

 

 

BHT are one of those rare things - a band who can create consistantly excellent albums without being repetitive or gimmacky. "Neckbreaker" is one of those songs you can play over and over yet never grow tired of. This album shows a little more acoustic guitar layered in beneath Todd's expected fine electric guitar, but the sound remains pure and simple. How a three-piece can creat such wonderfully rich sound to go with their interesting lyrics, soulful singing, and great grooves I'll never know. Buy this if you appreciate excellent, mature, but never overproduced or bland rock and roll.

Big Head Todd and The Monsters.......
What a name.. What a sound.. Theirs,to me,was one of the sounds that definitely defined the 90's. A VERY influential time in my life. JUST hearing Todd's distinct voice and that strat take me back a looooooooooong time.. Kind of a folksy/bluesy thing going on...
I agree that they should be bigger than what they are.. They never got HUGE but to me that doesn't matter.. To me they are huge.. There is so much JUNK out there these days it is UNBELIEVEABLE.. Music IS always a matter of personal taste. I don't know what to say that might influence you to buy this disc. Listen to the clips and make your decision.. I just love these guys.

Mohr is one of the best writers. It saddens me to see that in all the years BHTM has been playing they are not bigger than they are now. But that is also good, because they are one of the best bands to see live, and small venues are always the way to see a great band. This album is one of BHTM's best album's. I suggest getting any of their CD's and you will not be sorry for diong it (Except "Another Mayberry").

This album is unlike any other BHTM release. Alot of fans tend to look at this record as second- best, but this album has always been my favorite of thiers. It is a dark record in many ways, and equally somber throughout. In fact, I often fall asleep at nights to this album, and I have noticed how fitting it sounds on a rainy day. But, therein lies its brilliance as well. It creates a mood, an atmosphere that I liken to early REM, from the Fables Of The Reconstruction period. The songs all flow effortlessly into one another, and there are some great vocal effects that Todd uses, in particular on the final track "Shadowlands". The album rarely "rocks out", with the one exception of "Greyhound". Instead, many of the tracks are mid- tempo, or even slower, but that's not a bad thing at all. Todd's guitar work is stunning, and the sparse, even- tempo arrangements of the songs really let each note stand out and shine through. He is brilliant here on this album, and the fact that he can make a slow song still rock hard is a mighty compliment. Strategem is really a concept album. If you read Todd's album notes, he explains it in detail just what a different approach they made in making this album. I think it pays off in every way and I commend them for following thier artistic direction and doing something different. Strategem is a masterpiece, in my opinion, and a downright brilliant expression of artistic vision in the realm of music.

I've owned it on tape and now CD and still play it regularly. I think it's a better album than Sister Sweetly, which is saying something because I really liked Sister Sweetly!

Laid back vibe. Superior songwriting. Masterful musicianship. Magdelina is IMO the standout track, but there isn't a bad song on the album. I also have grown to love Shadowlands. The samples don't do the songs justice. Just get ahold of the album - used for $.01? Seriously? - then crack the adult beverage of your choice, sit back and treat your ears.

It is hard for me to give a fair review of this CD at it is not in a style I favour. The guitar playing is subdued and the flavour is more folk/rock than blues/rock. The singing is very good, some of the songs are excellent and within the folk/rock style this is a very good CD. However, my favourites are guitar/blues/rock orientated CD's and this is not one of those.
There is enough depth here to suggest a few more listens may reveal other aspects of this CD that at the moment escape me.

P.S. 6 month and many listens later, this has grown on me as expected. These songs get into your head and leave an impression. Killer hooks and an understated delivery.

These guys don't put out bad albums. Strategem is very solid and I still enjoy listening to it, but it's not them at their best. I found it less inspired than their other albums.

If you're a fan and have all the rest, certainly buy this one too. But if you're considering buying a BHTM album for the first time, pick another one. Their other albums are fantastic, while this one is just good.

Guitar oriented without being overpowering.The singer's voice gets to me after awhile.