PezKing's Full Review: Change Is a Sound by Strike Anywhere
Similar to other bands hailing from the Richmond scene, Strike Anywhere straddle that line between political punk and emo-influenced hardcore. The music is typical four-on-the-floor punk blast, but done with a nice sense of pacing and drama. The vocals have a bit of emo-esque pleading, punk sneer, and hardcore chant all rolled together. The lyrics are both political AND emotional at the same time. They really romanticize struggle and make dedication to ideals seem appealing. It almost makes you want to live in a police state, just so you and your loved ones can fight back together. Perhaps this is what Nietzsche meant when he said “How good do bad music and bad reasons sounds when we march against the enemy.”
Don’t get the wrong impression- this is a very good album. It may not be very challenging musically, but it has some nice breakdown and build ups, and the tempo is just right to get your blood pumping. Nothing to seriously mosh to though, perhaps a little circle pit. The lyrics are moving, which is something that is missing in much punk today, but they are also vague. You’ll be angry and hopeful after listening to it, but you might not know what you are angry about or what you are hoping for. Perhaps it is sort of open ended on purpose- to allow the listener the opportunity for further introspection to decide what they want and need out of their community and institutions, and what they have to put into it.
They are very good live as well. The vocals have the appropriate grit for something so angry, but they are very melodic and even pretty in parts. The songs are easy enough to learn that you might be able to sing a long at least a little even if you’ve never heard the song before, but the experience is greatly enhanced by the feeling of unity that comes when everyone shouts together. Which may be the great success of Strike anywhere- injecting a little unity back into a scene that has increasingly become fragmented into sub-scenes. I can see crusty street punks, skins, emo kids and hardcore tough guys all liking this band, given the right attitude. The politics may be a little lefty-peace oriented, but there is enough of the dedication, working class spirit, and romanticism to appeal to almost anyone. I would really like to sit down and talk to these guys someday.
“So we try
To defend
Together
Defend our yesterdays,
Together, together
Defend our tomorrows,
Together, together.”
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