2008 Woodie Awards
Strike Anywhere
Four, Three, Two, One . . . Mundane
Jarrod Moore
Issue date: 9/20/06 Section: Entertainment
Strike Anywhere, the socio-political punk-rock quintet from Richmond, Virginia, has returned with its third full-length, "Dead FM," marking its debut release from Fat Wreck Chords.
Previously known for a heavy, hard-hitting sound led by the schizophrenic, fist-in-the-air scream-sing-scream vocals of Thomas
Barnett, Strike Anywhere's latest effort falls short on intensity, both musically and vocally.
The first two seconds of the opening track, "Sedition," set an intense and energetic pretense, however, the following 1,868 seconds slingshot the band into the glorious realm of mediocrity. Barnett sounds a little sedated and calm for the most part, and the music verges on a more poppy
sound. Following the lead of bands like Anti-Flag and Rise Against, Strike Anywhere seems to be exploring the paradoxically "soft side" of punk-rock. It's kind of like hearing the Muppets rebel against the
establishment.
Barnett's lyrics are as abrasive and extreme as always, however, at some points, it seems he finds himself grasping at straws. This creates frequent usage of cliché anarchic phrases such as "Take this banner, hang it upside down; this country's in distress," to which the scores of early teenagers testing the waters of rebellion can set their training bras aflame. Plus, as a bonus, there are just enough "f-words" to piss a
parent or two off.
The vocal melodies, for the most part, seem to trail off in different directions at any given moment, giving the record the same sing-along quality as a gaggle of angry ducks. The only slightly memorable hooks
come from the only two stand-out tracks, "The Promise," and "Speak to
Our Empty Pockets." And that's not saying much.
To top it all off, "Ballad of Bloody Run," the closing track, might be the weakest song on the album. So much for ending on a good note.
Unlike their previous full-lengths, "Change is a Sound" and "Exit English," "Dead FM" just never picks up. While some may call it a
"matured sound," that very well may be synonymous with a loss of integrity.
If meriting an ambiguous and indifferent response from fans of their previous albums was the goal or premise behind the direction of Strike Anywhere, "Dead FM" hits the nail on the head.
Strike Anywhere, "Dead FM," Fat Wreck Chords, Sept. 5, 2006
Previously known for a heavy, hard-hitting sound led by the schizophrenic, fist-in-the-air scream-sing-scream vocals of Thomas
Barnett, Strike Anywhere's latest effort falls short on intensity, both musically and vocally.
The first two seconds of the opening track, "Sedition," set an intense and energetic pretense, however, the following 1,868 seconds slingshot the band into the glorious realm of mediocrity. Barnett sounds a little sedated and calm for the most part, and the music verges on a more poppy
sound. Following the lead of bands like Anti-Flag and Rise Against, Strike Anywhere seems to be exploring the paradoxically "soft side" of punk-rock. It's kind of like hearing the Muppets rebel against the
establishment.
Barnett's lyrics are as abrasive and extreme as always, however, at some points, it seems he finds himself grasping at straws. This creates frequent usage of cliché anarchic phrases such as "Take this banner, hang it upside down; this country's in distress," to which the scores of early teenagers testing the waters of rebellion can set their training bras aflame. Plus, as a bonus, there are just enough "f-words" to piss a
parent or two off.
The vocal melodies, for the most part, seem to trail off in different directions at any given moment, giving the record the same sing-along quality as a gaggle of angry ducks. The only slightly memorable hooks
come from the only two stand-out tracks, "The Promise," and "Speak to
Our Empty Pockets." And that's not saying much.
To top it all off, "Ballad of Bloody Run," the closing track, might be the weakest song on the album. So much for ending on a good note.
Unlike their previous full-lengths, "Change is a Sound" and "Exit English," "Dead FM" just never picks up. While some may call it a
"matured sound," that very well may be synonymous with a loss of integrity.
If meriting an ambiguous and indifferent response from fans of their previous albums was the goal or premise behind the direction of Strike Anywhere, "Dead FM" hits the nail on the head.
Strike Anywhere, "Dead FM," Fat Wreck Chords, Sept. 5, 2006
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