Customer Reviews

Strength

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you like the Alarm, you probably already own this album. Do yourself a favor, buy the new disc. The disc benefits from a crisper, cleaner sound that brings Mike Peter's voice front and center, not to mention the rest of the band. The additional material, especially the live cuts, illustrate what a great band the Alarm were when the cuts were recorded. It's a shame that the Alarm always seemed to be in U2's shadow in the US music press; it's an unfair comparison. I've always felt the Alarm were a more upfront, emotional band. U2 is a favorite, but there's a sense of detachment that isn't present in the songs of the Alarm.

If you you've never heard this album, you're in for a treat. Strength was one of the first "alternative" records I ever owned, and while I'm not the most critical reviewer in the world, you will not be disappointed. Half of this disc comprised the original release, and the additional material adds to the impact of the disc. You'll find yourself singing along very quickly. The Alarm were doing Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door" long before Guns and Roses, it's a much better version than the Axl version.

This may have been originally released in the 80's, but I think the music is timeless. This version of Strength is part of the complete re-issue of the Alarm catalog, which is long overdue.

Fourteen years after this album was released and I still find myself listening to it in it's entirety. "Spirit of '76" is one of the greatest songs of all time. As is "Walk Forever By My Side" which has to be one of the greatest and most underplayed single ever. I would play any of their albums for my friends and they all became instant fans. On top of writing and composing wonderful songs they also put on a great live show. I own all of the Alarm's recordings on some sort of media but I am really looking for their first album "The Alarm" on CD which is out of print. If anyone can find me a copy I would appreciate it.

I am an Alarm fan. There, I said it. I can't be held responsible for any objective analysis from this point forward. Srength is a particulary defining album for myself and my personal history. I was 15 when it 1st came out and it had a huge impact on me. I was a pseudo punker at the time, but my tastes ranged from XTC to Big Country. The Alarm were my favorite. It seemed like the perfect album for a fifteen year old. Strength? Knife Edge? I could relate, man. I was ecstatic to find out they were coming to town in concert back in 86. They were the first band I'd ever seen and it was quite an experience. I went on to see the Alarm more then any other band, around 8-9 times.

Having said that, the Alarm's music has not aged exceptionally well. In fact, their canon is pretty creaky and hasn't held up against the years. Strength is definitely their best effort and this remaster helps bolster the dynamics to some extent and the additional songs are brilliant. Majority rocks and it's cool to have Sharps "One Step Closer" for the library, even if it sounded way better in concert.

Perhaps this is beating a dead horse, but it might be sort of cool to see the Alarm attempt to record a new album. God Bless Mike Peters for continuing his musical Odyssey and you have to admire Sharps veracity down there in New Orleans (or has he moved?), but let's get Twist out of San Frabsisco and back to the coal town's of Wales. Considering they opened the door for Welsh acts, it's time to see what the 4 lads can do in the 21st century.....

I bought this album back in the late 80's, back before all the hype you see it todays music scene. When I try to describe The Alarm to my friends today I can't find any one band comparison. They remind me of Midnight Oil, Bruce Springsteen and Lou Reed in a blender. You have rock, conviction, heart felt vocals and lyrics that keep you thinking years and years after you first heard it. They are the soul in my huge CD collection, without music like this I would feel hollow inside. Image is nothing, music is everything.

This is a truly great album by a very underrated, yet dynamic and creative, action-packed band. I like "Strength" because each emotion-filled song leads naturally into the next one, culminating in the tremendous anthem "Spirit of '76." The ringing, melodic guitars combine with inspired lyrics and beautiful musicianship to create a sound very similar (if not sometimes better than) the sound of U2. It's a must for fans of the Alarm and for fans of good progressive rock in general. I wish I could find a CD still in print because my tape is all worn out after much use! You won't be disappointed.

This is not only the Alarm's best album, but, in my opinion, one of the best albums every recorded. I still pull it out and listen to it after all these years. It's that good. Every song on the album should have been a hit.

I recently took a stroll down memory lane and bought a bunch of music from my youth and this is

one of the few cd's that DIDN'T end up as a disappointment. I got the same chills hearing

"Knife Edge" and "Deeside" for the first time in 15 years as I did when I was 15 years old hearing

them for the very first time. The extra bonus tracks are nice, but the meat of this album are the

original tracks. Highly recommended.

Ten years after this album was released and I still find myself listening to it in it's entirety. "Spirit of '76" is one of the greatest songs of all time. As is "Walk Forever By My Side" which has to be one of the greatest and most underplayed single ever. I would play any of their albums for my friends and they all became instant fans. On top of writing and composing wonderful songs they also put on a great live show. I own all of the Alarm's recordings on some sort of media but I am really looking for their first album "The Alarm" on CD which is out of print. If anyone can find me a copy I would appreciate it.

This truly is a wonderful album! From start to finish it moves the listener with a real emotion and lasting memories! Each song is a story in its self, all with an amaming back drop of beautifal music! Stand out tracks? Strengh, Knife Edge, Spirit of 76, Deeside, infact they're all pretty good!

"WHOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAA, the spirit of 76"

There was something that never quite grabbed me about this second album from The Alarm! That's not to say there are songs that can and will completly uplift you! The brutal catchy verses and choruses of Knife Edge straight away has the listener singing along, whilst songs such as Strength and the Spirit of 76 are classic 10 out of 10 tracks. However, there are many fillers on this album! It grates me to say this being a long time fan, but somehow one feels that starting around track 6 the band are rushing to finish the album! The stunning Absolute Reality as a bonus track is a face saver, but when listening to the entire album in one listen, we are left with a feeling of disapointment!