Search - Strike Anywhere :: Exit English

A more melodic approach to their brand of hardcore

Destroy Boy | www.ohboydestroy.com | 06/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Upon listening to Exit English, the thing that sticks out most to long time fans is the rather dramatic slowing down of their sound. This is a well worn path by myriad hardcore bands before them but it always stings a little when you hear a band start to sound "mature". You want a hardcore band to be a hardcore band otherwise you'd put a different record on but before you write these guys off as a flash in the pan hear me out.



It's clear on this album and their debut record that these guys are talented musicians. As in the past, the songs on here are tight as hell but what's clear on this record is that they can write compelling melodic riffs with the best of them. They also employ a slightly different tack than a lot of melodic hardcore bands. Rather than try to add melody to the speedier parts they tend to keep them fairly distinct. So you'll hear the blazing double time riffs segue into a slower, more melodic part or they'll start a song with a slower tempo only to bust out the four to the floor hardcore. This is an interesting approach as it keeps a clearer tie to their previous work but allows them to expand the songs with new melodic elements.



The other area they've also added more melody is in the vocals department. They don't pull this off quite as well because this guy is really a screamer at heart which is probably why he joined a hardcore band to begin with. At slower speeds he's really missing the passion and anger that turn many of their faster songs from good to great. This is probably the biggest drawback of this record as opposed to their last record but it's not a show stopper in my book.



While I prefer their speedier cuts, I can't deny that some of the more melodic parts are not extremely effective. You can see this most clearly on their opening combo cut "Amplify"/"Blaze", and later songs like "Aluminum Union"; and "Extinguish". The melodic parts ultimately made these better songs than they would have been had they relied solely on their previous songwriting approach. So while I do mourn the loss of their undiluted hardcore attack I have to admit that these set of songs are more unique, better written and will probably outshine their debut as time goes on.



I'm assuming this more accessible approach has made this band blacklisted by some people in the hardcore scene but I think these guys have the talent and songwriting chops to continue successfully down this path.



Check out more reviews at ohboydestroy."

Putting RVA on the map!

David Blevins | Chesapeake, VA | 01/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just like their fellow Richmond, VA (RVA) peers AVAIL, STRIKE ANYWHERE improves with each release, though improvement wasn't all that necessary. "Exit English" is the follow-up to 2000's "Change Is A Sound." Where that album revolutionized melodic hardcore, "Exit English" re-revolutionize taking the band to all new territory. When singer Thoms Barnett sings "we go go out in a blaze" on the opening track "We Amplify", the band has you locked in and tuned to the album. "Exit English" can best be described as a survival guide to the coptic times of the George W. Bush era. "To The World" is the albums standout track that forces you to pay attention to the message in the song. Strike Anywhere exemplifies life in RVA and the mad world we live in today, making "Exit English" feel therapeutic, chilling, and at it's best moments inspiring. The definite hardcore masterpiece of 2003, destined to be a classic! ..."

"Exit English" is an amazing album

Xinion | Santa Cruz, CA USA | 11/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When i first heard their first album i thought it was one of the greatest albums in the punk scene. When i heard about Strike Anywhere's new release "Exit English," i did not think they could top their first, but i was wrong. "Exit English" is filled with emotion and its heartfelt, two of the crucial elements that a lot of other bands lack. I've not only heard this in their records, but also in live shows, it is an amazing experiance. Nevertheless, I strongly recommend you buy this "Exit English," i'm sure you wont regret it, you will be filled with energy listening to their hardcore style and their intake on political views through their wonderful lyrics. Again, i stronly recommend buying this album. KEEP ON ROCKING PUNKS.!"