Strike Anywhere

Strike Anywhere: In Defiance of Empty TimesIn Defiance of Empty Times (2012)
Bridge Nine Records

Reviewer Rating: 3

User Rating:

Contributed by: JeloneJelone
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Published on August 31st 2012Among hardcore/punk bands, Strike Anywhere has arguably some of the strongest, most passionate lyrics. A lot of hardcore lyrics can sound like a mad man's rantings, but frontman Thomas Barnett's words ring with a conscience that calls to action on a local, national and global scale. In other words, .

Among hardcore/punk bands, Strike Anywhere has arguably some of the strongest, most passionate lyrics. A lot of hardcore lyrics can sound like a mad man's rantings, but frontman Thomas Barnett's words ring with a conscience that calls to action on a local, national and global scale. In other words, even if they unplugged and lost all the sweet, sweet bashing 'n' crashing, their songs should still get their points across without sacrificing anything. And for a while, that's true on new live/acoustic album In Defiance of Empty Times, but the release eventually comes undone due to iffy recording quality.

Consisting of two benefit shows for Industrial Workers of the World, In Defiance is divided in terms of quality. The first set, recorded in Rochester, N.Y., sounds great. Like you're sitting there listening to Barnett fire off lines while guitarists Matt Smith and Mark Miller strum and sing along. The trio adapts the material a little bit to help it translate, and while that means occasionally slowing down the songs, it also allows for a greater sense of melody to come through. They drop some choice cuts from Exit English and Iron Front, plus old tune "Chorus of One." This is the good stuff, even if bum track "Hollywood Cemetery" is thrown in too.

The second set, from Richmond, Va., isn't quite as good. The setlist is still killer ("Timebomb Generation," "Sunset on 32nd Street") but the quality eats shit. The Rochester songs sound professionally recorded; the Richmond stuff sounds like a bootleg. If I understand the liner notes correctly, these tracks also took way more effort to master because they sound like farts. You can tell it's a good show based on crowd reaction (dig how the fans drown out the band during "Sunset"), but the energy just doesn't come out.

Perhaps meant as a holdover until their next proper full-length, In Defiance of Empty Times is a mixed bag that might have gone over better as an EP.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

weleftasbyzantines (September 4, 2012)

I dunno, grew up listening to shit recordings, as long as I can hear the music, I'm good. It was well worth the money.

telegraphrocks (September 3, 2012)

I just listened to the samples on Amazon. Wow. That's pretty shitty quality. Even for a completest, I'm questioning whether I should even bother buying this. There's better quality acoustic videos on YouTube... pretty shitty that this is an official release with it sounding like that...

MN_DrNick (September 2, 2012)

It's okay. I guess my ears are just picky because it's from live show recordings. They should just make an acoustic album in the studio instead.

telegraphrocks (September 2, 2012)

I loathe Spotify, so I won't be hearing it there.
I will also never pay to download music. If I'm paying money (which I don't have a problem with when it comes to music), I'm buying the physical thing.

weleftasbyzantines (September 2, 2012)

I agree with the reviewer, for the most part.. I agree the 2nd set definitely fails in the recording aspect, yet as a fan of the band, the music is much welcome. If you can get over the sounds of people talking, as many do at shows, then you are in for a great album. I think saying it should of been an EP is a really shortsighted comment, when it comes to music, I will always take more, rather than less.

The record can be found on bridge9's website, in a multitude of different forms, hard copy, as well as a digital version. But, if you have Spotify, which is a great program that lets people listen to a wide variety of music, while only being subjugated to short commercials(fair trade off). They have the Itunes version that has both complete sets.

telegraphrocks (September 1, 2012)

I can't find this yet, but I'm bummed to hear that the quality of half of it is shoddy.
Lame.

Still.. I'll find it.

baseball (August 31, 2012)

I agree with this review. I won't hold the recording against the band. Still great versions of these songs and a must if you're a fan of the band I'd say.

oldpunkerforever (August 31, 2012)

I love SA and everything they do, can me a fanboy if you want, I dont care. Love me some SA and will be getting this-oldpunker-

renaldo69 (August 31, 2012)

infrared...so fucking good