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 | Strung OutLive in a Dive2003 Fat Wreck Chords 
  Review by: Aubin See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on June 6th 2003 There are two kinds of live records. Those that are more than just a retrospective, but a fitting introduction to a band, and those that are more of a special release just for fans. Neither of these two types of records is better or worse than the other, but just like Live at the Roxy was a perfect introduction to Social Distortion and From Here to Eternity was a treat for Clash fans everywhere, albums seem to inevitably fall into these categories. So how is Strung Out's addition to the thus far excellent Live in a Dive series? It's really good. But that's not going to be a surprise to anyone who has seen Strung Out play in something smaller than the Warped Tour. These guys are just mind-blowingly good musicians, songwriters and foremost performers. Strung Out has had a weird evolution; their first record Another Day in Paradise was good, if somewhat generic, Fat-styled punk rock. But shortly thereafter - in a year that would best be referred to as one of Fat's finest - accompanying Good Riddance's Comprehensive Guide, Propagandhi's Less Talk, More Rock, was Strung Out's breakout album, Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues. It still stands out to me as a perfect record for the band; sure, the follow up Twisted By Design has some incredibly good tracks, some even stronger than those on "Blues", but as a whole, nothing the band - or most of their contemporaries - has recorded approaches the consistency of songwriting, production and musical inventiveness that was all over "Blues" The follow ups to these two amazing records, were somewhat anti-climatic for me; I was disappointed by American Paradox and the Element of Sonic Defiance; not because they were bad records, but because the direction they went in just didn't appeal to me. As a result, this live record was most welcome; it was a chance to hear new interpretations of songs I know and love, and I believe that's why it will appeal to long time fans moreso then new ones, who I recommend should check out the studio records first. The question, then, is how does it stand up as a record for people who have listened to Strung Out for a while. Well, one of the best things about it is the choice of tracks, which includes both popular album tracks like the explosive "Bring Out Your Dead", the indescribably positive "Too Close to See" and slightly less common "Barfly" which appeared on the excellent Crossroads and Illusions EP. Not to mention, the interesting variations of classic Strung Out tunes like the slow harmonized intro to "Exhumation of Virginia Madision" really kept things fresh. (Slight digression here, but that track couples some of the most morbid and melancholy lyrics with the catchiest melodies I've ever heard) The only track missing, sadly, was one of my absolute favourite Strung Out track "Wrong Side of the Tracks" which closes Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues but I can't fault them because the selection is otherwise thorough and incredibly well performed. So the bottom line is: If you haven't seen the band live yet, you should. If you can't, this record is almost as good as being there.
If you don't like Strung Out, then I'm not really sure why you read all of this.
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This album dominates, so sick. Yuss seeing them live next week... in a super small venue, cant wait. On a side note, how amazing was nufan's live in a dive. pretty old school but so good "I was disappointed by American Paradox and the Element of Sonic Defiance; not because they were bad records, but because the direction they went in just didn't appeal to me." I think that for Strung Out this would be a great album to end their fat wreck chord career on and head to a major. This cd blew me away....im just gunna agree with everything the guy below said, cause it is all right! Simply because this band is are above and beyond anything Strung Out fucking shreds. This is a great live album my only complaint is that they didn't play some songs that I would have liked to hear and that they played some that could have easily been replaced. You can really feel the energy and I like how they played some songs different to keep it fresh. I think that for Strung Out this would be a great album to end their fat wreck chord career on and head to a major. They are to good to be held down. I know that they want exposure and to play to new crowds, I believe that there next album will be on a major, especially with all the success that alot of respectable bands are getting ex. AFI and Thrice. I have to give thanks to strung out for put this album i love it! best band ever... i cant wait to the new album Got this on the weekend it was alright I guess, too many mediocre songs I wish Crossroads was on it that's the best song Strung Out has ever done. The best Live in a Dive so far is No Use's. This is a great Live In a Dive. The quality is good, so don't pay any mind to those that don't have any idea what they're talking about. Only wish they had played Deville... Anti-Flag sucks? You suck balls. Its just like being at their show! Anti-Flag fucking sucks anyways... An Anti-Flag live in a dive would be stupid they already have Mobilize and they have only been on fat for 1 CD. After 2 or three more rise against CD's theyll have a Live in a Dive. Thats the next to look forward to. brah chill, i think the wagon already did their show for their live in a dive. its due up some time this year, you'll get your most-likely-last fix. will make a great bookend to your 'wagon collectionne. come on anit anyone happy knowing that the fucking SUBHUMANS!!! have the next live in a drive....and this cd is the 2end best live in drive right behind sick of it alls New found glory and good charlotte need one ahahhahah I was disappointed when I read on Interpunk.com that this Live In The Dive CD would be an enhanced CD with an interview and video footage. The 3 previous Live FAT releases were all enhanched CD's so I never questioned it. But now that interpunk has removed that section of the title description and the CD is not enhanced, who fucked up? FAT, Interpunk, Strung Out? Anyone have any info? this cd blow me away really this band is awesome live i love it! anti flag needs one!!! most appropiate cd ever. EVERYONE NEEDS ONE!! THIS CD ROCKS.. i hope they come to my town real soon! Rise Against needs one! "Good Riddance needs one of these." Great band and they put on a killer show. Great live disc. There are some honest to good "surreal" moments. Matchbook is particularly incredible. As for the Jets to Brazil review, I've never seen em' but I would trade a valuable body part for the chance to catch a show. good riddance needs one of these.. Has anyone seen Jets To Brazil live? Post a review!!! I have given this album a few more listens and it is growing a little on me. Though I do find all the little grunts and the consistant yelling of "FUCK!" a little annoying. The setlist has grown on me, but I still think the production is worse than what Strung Out deserves. Wrong side of the tracks is one kickin' tune.. This review read more like a review of SO's catalog rather than the live in a dive cd. HEll yeah this album RULES.. awesome live cd from an amazing band to watch http://psychostick.com/beer_small.htm Great Review. There isn't much more that needs to be said about this album. It will be tough for any Fat band to equal this performance on a LIAD album. The production on STWB was garbage. It's dry and tinny, except when the bass gets into the very low frequencies, and then it's so overdriven it makes your speakers buzz. Okay it's Strung Out and they're phenomenal so I can't say this is a bad record. But as live albums go, this one doesn't excite me. I'd rather just burn a compilation of all my favorite Strung Out songs, that's pretty much all you've got here anyway. STRUNG OOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT!!!! No "Iceburn" No "American Lie" no "Razorblades" NOT INTERESTED!!! Strung Out is the shit live. Its incredible how talented they are. This band has too many great songs to fit on one cd or show. I am pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of Klawsterfobia, though. better review than the tkt one. jesus. i finally got around to getting the SOIA one today. Good shit. amazing live disc. great selection of songs and flow between them. by far, the best live FAT disc. "Razor Sex" is the unsung gem on it for me. - Jordan Pastepunk This was by far the best live in a dive album put out. This album would have been perfect if "Better Days" had been on it, simply because thats my favorite Strung Out song, and my favorite song in general. Overall this album was amazing. I like it To the guy below me, I think you have an ass fetish Turdcorn.... this is a good set and the production is B . they played barfly so im stoked I've got to agree with you Aubin. 'Wrong side of the tracks' is in my opinion THE BEST strung out song. I was disappointed that it wasn't on this disc. The bastards have never played it live any time I saw them. sorry but rather hear the SOIA LIAD. PLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF............ Don't get me wrong, I really like Strung Out, maybe my expectations were really high for this, and its hard to follow how great the Sick Of It All LIAD was. I like Strung Out, but I DID not like this record. It just sounded like ass. Sickboi: The band let the fans choose the setlist on their message board. Don't bitch about the setlist because the real fans appreciate it. I like your review dude. Mostly becuase I agree with it. well put I saw Strung Out about a year ago and they played for 2 hours, it was exhausting. Great live act though, they put a lot into it and you can tell they never want to stop playing. Way off, the production is shotty, the vox sound like they were sang outta a tin can, and the setlist has no flow.....weak. |
