Strike Anywhere

Strike Anywhere: To Live in Discontent [12 inch]To Live in Discontent [12 inch] (2005)
Chunksaah Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: southpawnationsouthpawnation
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Published on October 30th 2005Chunksaah Records recently released the LP version of the "smacking of record contract fullfillment" B-sides, rarities, and demos collection from one of my favorite modern melodic hardcore acts, Strike Anywhere. I had been turned on to Inquisition (Thomas, SA singer's old band) around the time of th.

Chunksaah Records recently released the LP version of the "smacking of record contract fullfillment" B-sides, rarities, and demos collection from one of my favorite modern melodic hardcore acts, Strike Anywhere. I had been turned on to Inquisition (Thomas, SA singer's old band) around the time of the CD release of their material (long after they'd splintered). So, I was immediately interested in what his new band was going to be all about. I was lucky enough to get a tape of Strike Anywhere's demo and was hooked from moment #1 and have rarely missed a chance to see them live (highly recommended).

Their debut, the Chorus of One EP, was an instant classic and still remains a high-water mark for them (although Exit English would be my recommendation for introducing yourself to this band). This collection includes the now out-of-print Chorus of One EP along with their Fat Club 7" songs (which were re-recorded songs from their demo), the Underground Europe 2001 Genoa Benefit 7" (another demo track), an Exit English outtake, and some nondescript covers (Gorilla Biscuits, Dag Nasty, and Cock Sparrer).

I'm sorry to report, however, that the only tracks on here that are really worth having are from the Chorus of One EP. I love Exit English, but I'm glad "Two Fuses" was left on the cutting room floor. The 7" songs are good, but not really worth springing for this collection on their own (especially if you already have everything they've put out like me). The only track I'm aware of that is missing is the acoustic version of Change is a Sound's "Chalkline," from Punk Goes Acoustic, which seems like an odd ommission.

I've already sold my CD version of this but figured the picture disc might be cool to have. But, in the end, I'd have to recommend searching out the Chorus of One CD|EP or 12" before they become high-priced eBay items and leave this collection to the newbies who will be jumping on the bandwagon once their Fat Wreck Chords album comes out next year (and many may have discovered this great band the past summer due to the band's inclusion on the Warped Tour.

Unless you're after it just for the art, which was good enough reason for me to buy it, but I'm nutty like that. And the vinyl does sound great.

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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.

Anonymous (November 3, 2005)

"vinyl does not sound better than cds with average joe stereos and factory-pressed records. quit being a faggot."

You know approximately dick. Thanks for your contribution.

peilocal (November 2, 2005)

I can't believe all the people who didn't like Exit English. I for one (the only one it seems) think it is their best album. It's not that I didn't like Change is a Sound, that was a fantastic album too. But I think Exit English was a lot better produced, more structured, and more melodic. But hey, that's my opinion.

Flowbee (November 2, 2005)

Nothing this band ever does will top "Chorus of One." I like everything else they've put out, but that EP is fucking beauty.

"Back in the day" before they blew up, they were also one of the best bands to see live. That atmosphere gets a little lost when bands start playing larger venues though. They still do put on a solid, incredibly tight and energetic live show but I'll never forget seeing them in a little lodge in a park in Rochester, NY.

Anonymous (October 31, 2005)

exit english is pretty bad. i haven't listened to it in a very long time.

-swingline

Anonymous (October 31, 2005)

"vinyl does not sound better than cds with average joe stereos and factory-pressed records. quit being a faggot."

Funny and true

Anonymous (October 31, 2005)

vinyl does not sound better than cds with average joe stereos and factory-pressed records. quit being a faggot.

Anonymous (October 31, 2005)

"Wow vinyl actually being reviewed on punknews.org? Glad to see things changing around here."

Yeah, they can review it, but the kids on this site still wouldn't know a record player from a rototiller.

Anonymous (October 31, 2005)

One of my good friends actually loves exit english and dislikes change is a sound. I, of course, think he's got his head up his ass, but just goes to show some people do genuinely love (and even prefer) that record.

Anonymous (October 31, 2005)

the first 4 tracks on Exit English are killer. I've somehow never gotten through the whole album more than once, I usually eject it after "Infrared," which also has a pretty cool video.

Anonymous (October 31, 2005)

"Yeah. I've found that Strike fans tend to try to say incredible things about Exit English, but that's more because they love the band and want to be supportive. If you get them drunk, they'll admit that it's kind of lackluster and full of a lot of filler."

Awesome.

Anonymous (October 31, 2005)

Yeah. I've found that Strike fans tend to try to say incredible things about Exit English, but that's more because they love the band and want to be supportive. If you get them drunk, they'll admit that it's kind of lackluster and full of a lot of filler.

davebrave4 (October 30, 2005)

Exit English is alright. The singles on it are great, but it seems like some of the rest is just kind of filler.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

The strike anywhere art was done by a dude from NMDS, so was Western Addictions new album and the split with NMDS/WA.

stevejonestherealbones (October 30, 2005)

airplanes are flying out of that dudes neck area....crazy

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

dazed (October 30, 2005)

Exit English is great, it's a new sound but definitely comparable in quality to their ols stuff. The EP songs are awesome and "Antidote" is one of the best Strike Anywhere songs but I already had the EP and some mp3s so I didn't really feel like buying this for covers and "Two Fuses" (which I thought was pretty weaksauce when I finally heard it)

Definitely a placeholder release but it's a good buy for someone who doesn't already have the EP. I'm really looking forward to their next album.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

"Does Jade Tree only have a single album cover artist? Strike Anywhere, Paint it Black, and the loved ones all have the exact same hyper colorful with splattered black and cut out pictures kind of art work going on."

No...Dave Klug did TLO EP...SA and PIB's artwork was done by Darren Walters I think.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

wow, and now I should read about how much PETA rules from these sheltered suburb fucks

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

I'm a fan of EVERYTHING this band has done. I have no problem with Exit English. It was a great record.

joeg (October 30, 2005)

i was actually somewhat disappointed with exit english. maybe the bar was set high by chorus of one and change is a sound. and by no means was it a bad record, it was just....ok. if i were to suggest a first listen to these guys, i would not suggest exit english.

GreenVandal (October 30, 2005)

Does Jade Tree only have a single album cover artist? Strike Anywhere, Paint it Black, and the loved ones all have the exact same hyper colorful with splattered black and cut out pictures kind of art work going on.

aubin (October 30, 2005)

jade tree only signs bands for one album at a time, meaning all their bands are free to leave whenever they want. so there was no motivation of "contract fulfillment" when they made that compilation. sorry.

Exactly, and a hastily recorded live release is usually the contract fufillment deal anyway.

This is just a good deal for people who really like the band and can't find all their material (and there is quite a bit of interesting stuff on limited EPs and vinyl) so I think this was a great release.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

"Chunksaah Records recently released the LP version of the "smacking of record contract fullfillment" B-sides, rarities, and demos collection from one of my favorite modern melodic hardcore acts, Strike Anywhere."

jade tree only signs bands for one album at a time, meaning all their bands are free to leave whenever they want. so there was no motivation of "contract fulfillment" when they made that compilation. sorry.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

Anyone who says Exit English was not a good album needs a goddamn CAT scan.

skaboom (October 30, 2005)

I bought the Chorus of One on vinyl from No Idea after this album had already come out. I think they sold out since then, but it's hardly a rare find. And you'd recommend Exit English before this? I'd definately pick up Change is a Sound first, then this one in a close second.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

CD's suck hard, this is good shit.

fallingupwards84 (October 30, 2005)

i love the sound of vinyl

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

Two Fuses was a good b-side and Exit English was a solid record.

Not as good as their full length debut but it really grew on me.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

Right on to the last comment. What is ironic about this being a B Sides album is that Exit English sounds like a B Sides album: some things a fan should maybe think about having just for the collection, but still really obvious why it deserved to have been on the cutting room floor. This is tired and unremarkakable just like pretty much their last real full length. Exit English was way more "meh" in regard to their previous material than "Siren Song of the Counter Culture" to Rise Against's older stuff and "Siren Song" was WEAK!!! I just don't get why people like this band. It's as if fans of good music are sad that all of their favorite bands no longer exist or rarely put albums out so they arbitrarily agree to pretend to treat these guys like they are something special.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

I stopped giving any valdation to the review when the reviewer mentions Exit English as the album a new fan should get into to. Considering the Chrous of One EP and Change is a Sound are tenfold better than that album, I suggest you do as well.

FAST_ED (October 30, 2005)

i've got to get this..

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

Wow vinyl actually being reviewed on punknews.org? Glad to see things changing around here.