Labels: Stratagem
Review by: Andy Malcolm
It appears that this record isn’t so much an album but a collection of songs recorded at various times. Hence it doesn’t flow as well as it might, and the band changes it’s style slightly over the course, with the slightly more recent songs have a bit more of a twist to them.
The majority of this release though is made up of surefire bread’n’butter emo rock with feet set firmly in the Texas Is The Reason camp. They have those strained vocals, energetic melodic hardcore riffs, chunky songs, and a real drive about them. Other bands to chuck into the comparison game are occasional hints of the Get Up Kids, and Christie Front Drive, as Stratego like their slow, twinkly parts too. The vocals are perhaps the stand out here. By times cute and boyish, they’re still able to break out into good ole emo screamin’ when necessary. I think this is one of the first bands I’ve heard who play the new style so whole-heartedly, but aren’t afraid to dip into the past for other influences. Well, they do thank Embassy and the guy from Ebullition on the inlay. You know?
Well, I am familiar with several people who would go ape over this album, and if the emo that rocks you is the emo that is rock, then there is no way you won’t like this heaps either. So pick it up, as it makes a horrible mess of pretty much all other emo rock going at the minute. Nice art and design ‘n’all. But anyways, for me personally? I’ll drive fast and tap the steering wheel to it, and leave things at that.