Reviews

Yep, Strung Out strikes back. And how! "An American Paradox" may not be all that different from Strung Out's earlier work, but it sure is a blast. So watch out for some of the tightest riffs and drumbreaks ever put on CD, cause these guys are in good shape. "An American Paradox" isn't really a logical step after the "Element Of Sonic Defiance" EP, which I didn't like that much, because it was a little too aggressive. It is more a step back in time, to the "STWB" and "Twisted By Design" era. Technically this borders to the impossible, but it rarely ever loses its harmony. The first track, 'Velvet Alley" scores a bull's eye right away. But have you ever noticed how Strung Out always puts their best tracks third? Well, no different this time: "Alien Amplifier" has it all: the catchiest chorus, a superb breakdown in the middle and a modest but wonderfully implemented keyboard to finish it up. Yeah, this is a good match for evergreen "Solitaire". "Unkoil" is pure guitar-goodness, this song would have fit perfectly on the aforementioned EP - it's kinda dark and mean. "Contender", "Satellite" and "Dig" are far more pop-oriented and it won't surprise you that these ones ended up on my favorites-list too. Four meagre years have passed by since "Twisted By Design" first pumped through your speakers, so it's time to let this new record blow all the dust out of those things!