Tony
11-12-2004, 04:23 PM
Stroke 9 burst onto the scene in 1999 with the hit song "Little Black Backpack". The song sky rocketed them up the charts and may have set the goals of their record label much too high for a radio world that was highly over plagued with "Nu Metal" at the time. The next time anyone really heard from them was the song "Kick Some Ass" which was featured on the Jay and Silent Bob Strike back film and soundtrack. The song drew really good praise for the band. Shortly after the release of "Kick Some Ass" Universal records fired the man responsible for the promotional work for Stroke 9. This kind of left the band up the creek without at paddle as their second CD "Rip it Off" (An awesome HIGHLY overlooked and underseen album) came and went without a trace. Universal quickly dropped the band from the label and many don't even know that they are still together.
Well they are. Their album "All In" was released on Tuesday, November 9 completely independant and distributed by Sixth Man Records (a record label that caters to the independant scene). It really proves what they are truly all about. I would call it a cross between The Counting Crows and Blink 182 (not really but it's the closest I could come to. It doesn't really sound like anyone else) There are no big name record labels coming in to tell them what they should strive for and what you get is Raw and VERY GOOD stuff. Below is my song by song review....
1.) How am I gonna Know?- The first single. Very good opener. Song contains multiple parts that are all equally effective to the song. The chorus is infectuous and will stick in your head the minute you hear it. A song that really teaters between slow and upbeat. The two types really mesh together well.
2.) Run Away- A really weird song that really has an old school feel. The song is fun and I'm sure it would be even more fun live. It's an interesting song. Hard to find anything to compare it to. Maybe a "White Stripes" type feel. Fun song.
3.)Set You Free- I love the begining. It opens with some really mesmerizing slow classical music. Then the drums kick in and we get a mix of electric guitar and classical. The song is really easy to listen to. It almost has a "Beatles" feel to it. It's another very catchy song. It's upbeat but not overly fast and that works well.
4.) Stop Saying Goodbye- This track is a slower song with some awesome string work on the guitar in the begining. It's a mix of acoustic and electric guitars. When it starts into the chorus it's really addictive. It all flows really well. Good "mood piece".
5.) Faux Gucci Girl- Really interesting guitar work in the begining. The lyrics to this song are AWESOME. It has some good words. This song isn't my favorite on the album but it really doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard which makes it really awesome. If you can find a song that this reminds you of then more power to you.
6.) Rod Beck- Interesting song. The begining singing part is spoken which makes it seem kind of poetic in a way. It's a good story telling song. The words are excellent. It really has a "soundtrack" feel to it if you get what I'm saying. The chorus is just as interesting as the rest of this song. I could really see it turning up in a movie.
7.) Words to Live by- This song contains a really weird vocal effect in the begining which I'm not too fond of but it's a really different song. The actual verses start and it's an awesome song. The chorus is really awesome. It's another that'll stick in your head. This song also has a movie type feel to it.
8.) Abandon Confusion- I really love this song. It's a moody song and has an interesting feel to it. It's one of those songs that would really fit with an event in your life and you'd always remember it when you associate the song with it...You just have to hear it to understand what I'm saying. Very good words.
9.) My Advice- Some more really good guitar work in the begining. Slow song and a very good one at that. Probably my favorite track on the CD. Very emotional. Once again the lyrics to this one are powerful. The singing on this one is top notch and it really fits the words. Awesome song
10. Parte- If I drank...I would listen to this song while I drank. It's such a fun song. Needs to be played at any party. It's exactly what it's about. So fun. Another stand out track and the lyrics are very funny and work well. This song just flat out makes you feel really good inside.
The only bad part about the whole album is that I felt it could use another song or two. It's not that big of a deal as I firmly believe in quality over quantity.
I preordered my CD from their website (http://www.stroke9.com) when the link went up for preorders stating that the 1st 200 preorders would recieve a signed copy. Unfortunately I later found out that mine was not one of the first 200. BUT....when my CD didn't arrive within the time it was supposed to arrive I addressed the situation on their boards to make sure something hadn't happened causing them to come on time. Leadsinger Luke Esterkyn responded stating that he was very sorry for the mailing mix up and that there was such an overwhelming response to the preorders that EVERYONE who preordered the album would recieve a signed copy of the CD booklet within two weeks. That was truly a classy thing to do. I can't wait to get my signed booklet.
I highly recommend that you guys check out this CD. You can listen to clips on their website http://www.stroke9.com Check them out and let me know what you think.
Well they are. Their album "All In" was released on Tuesday, November 9 completely independant and distributed by Sixth Man Records (a record label that caters to the independant scene). It really proves what they are truly all about. I would call it a cross between The Counting Crows and Blink 182 (not really but it's the closest I could come to. It doesn't really sound like anyone else) There are no big name record labels coming in to tell them what they should strive for and what you get is Raw and VERY GOOD stuff. Below is my song by song review....
1.) How am I gonna Know?- The first single. Very good opener. Song contains multiple parts that are all equally effective to the song. The chorus is infectuous and will stick in your head the minute you hear it. A song that really teaters between slow and upbeat. The two types really mesh together well.
2.) Run Away- A really weird song that really has an old school feel. The song is fun and I'm sure it would be even more fun live. It's an interesting song. Hard to find anything to compare it to. Maybe a "White Stripes" type feel. Fun song.
3.)Set You Free- I love the begining. It opens with some really mesmerizing slow classical music. Then the drums kick in and we get a mix of electric guitar and classical. The song is really easy to listen to. It almost has a "Beatles" feel to it. It's another very catchy song. It's upbeat but not overly fast and that works well.
4.) Stop Saying Goodbye- This track is a slower song with some awesome string work on the guitar in the begining. It's a mix of acoustic and electric guitars. When it starts into the chorus it's really addictive. It all flows really well. Good "mood piece".
5.) Faux Gucci Girl- Really interesting guitar work in the begining. The lyrics to this song are AWESOME. It has some good words. This song isn't my favorite on the album but it really doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard which makes it really awesome. If you can find a song that this reminds you of then more power to you.
6.) Rod Beck- Interesting song. The begining singing part is spoken which makes it seem kind of poetic in a way. It's a good story telling song. The words are excellent. It really has a "soundtrack" feel to it if you get what I'm saying. The chorus is just as interesting as the rest of this song. I could really see it turning up in a movie.
7.) Words to Live by- This song contains a really weird vocal effect in the begining which I'm not too fond of but it's a really different song. The actual verses start and it's an awesome song. The chorus is really awesome. It's another that'll stick in your head. This song also has a movie type feel to it.
8.) Abandon Confusion- I really love this song. It's a moody song and has an interesting feel to it. It's one of those songs that would really fit with an event in your life and you'd always remember it when you associate the song with it...You just have to hear it to understand what I'm saying. Very good words.
9.) My Advice- Some more really good guitar work in the begining. Slow song and a very good one at that. Probably my favorite track on the CD. Very emotional. Once again the lyrics to this one are powerful. The singing on this one is top notch and it really fits the words. Awesome song
10. Parte- If I drank...I would listen to this song while I drank. It's such a fun song. Needs to be played at any party. It's exactly what it's about. So fun. Another stand out track and the lyrics are very funny and work well. This song just flat out makes you feel really good inside.
The only bad part about the whole album is that I felt it could use another song or two. It's not that big of a deal as I firmly believe in quality over quantity.
I preordered my CD from their website (http://www.stroke9.com) when the link went up for preorders stating that the 1st 200 preorders would recieve a signed copy. Unfortunately I later found out that mine was not one of the first 200. BUT....when my CD didn't arrive within the time it was supposed to arrive I addressed the situation on their boards to make sure something hadn't happened causing them to come on time. Leadsinger Luke Esterkyn responded stating that he was very sorry for the mailing mix up and that there was such an overwhelming response to the preorders that EVERYONE who preordered the album would recieve a signed copy of the CD booklet within two weeks. That was truly a classy thing to do. I can't wait to get my signed booklet.
I highly recommend that you guys check out this CD. You can listen to clips on their website http://www.stroke9.com Check them out and let me know what you think.