Dead FM

Label: Fat Wreck Chords

In 2006 there has not been an album released I’ve been particularly excited about until I found out about this one.  This is the third full-length release (not including ‘To Live in Discontent’) from Richmond punkers Strike Anywhere and their first release on Fat Wreck Chords.  ‘Change is a Sound’ was always going to be a hard album to follow up but they done a pretty good job with ‘Exit English’ so it was gonna be interesting to see what they would come up with next.

The album is good, however not up to the standard of the pervious two.  Thomas Barnett’s vocals and lyrics are as passionate as ever and each track as anthemic as the next, just as we have come to expect from Strike Anywhere.  With all tracks under three minutes it keeps you eager for the next.  Stand out tracks for me were ‘Prisoner Echoes’ ‘Speak to our empty pockets’ ‘Gunpowder’ and the catchy ‘Hollywood Cemetery’ which ended up stuck in my head for ages.

If you’re already a fan of Strike Anywhere then the chances are you’ve already got this album and don’t need me to tell you about it.  If you’ve not heard them before and are fan of punk/hardcore in the vain of Avail or Rise Against then definitely check this record out.   The band play some U.K. dates next month with ‘The Loved Ones’, so if you want to throw your fist in the air and scream Whhhhaaaoooooow! Get yourself to one of these shows.

by Dale Tucker

Tour Dates

20/11/06 - Newport       - TJ‘s

21/11/06 - Exeter          - Cavern

22/11/06 - Leeds           - Joseph´s Well

24/11/06 - London         - Underworld

You can check Strike Anywhere out on their myspace page www.myspace.com/strikeanywhere

or on their website strikeanywhere.org