DWAR: Strung Out - An American Paradox

DOG WALK ALBUM REVIEWS: where I walk the dog and listen to an entire album. my mind is free to wander, and I like reviewing shit. don’t expect these to be “good,” or even to totally make sense. sometimes I take notes while I walk, sometimes I don’t.

album: Strung Out – An American Paradox (2002)

if you were technically gifted, why wouldn’t you want to perform your songs at a million miles an hour? I fucking love speed. this is the only way music actually makes sense to me – it’s when you play it super fucking fast because why don’t you want to know how fast you can play? like, this makes sense. I can’t totally explain it, but the logic is perfect. shut up. im not accepting dissent at this time.

I had planned to walk to the park like I usually do, but something told me to go the other way. so I did. and I texted my friends impromptu on the way there, and even though they didn’t see it, I pressed on and just said what’s up in their backyard. they were demolishing their deck, and they told me they appreciated my stopping by. that’s nice. I think we should drop in in a non-threatening or non-invasive way more often. it’s a pick-me-up to know that someone thinks enough of you to drop by. I love my community.

‘unkoil’ is a song with a lot of changes. it’s like slow and methodical and then LOUD AS FUCK and all fast again. that shit is so dope. these guys are fucking awesome.

jake kiley – and yeah, I like using his full name – told me that this was the biggest advance they had ever gotten for an album. and that he’s not sure Fat has ever made that money back. I think about that a lot even though that ain’t my problem. but I think there’s a part of my brain that thinks ‘if I listen to this enough times, maybe everyone involved will feel better about this record.’

I really, really hate “razor sex.” that song is like if Strung Out had to make a series of coinflips to determine if this song was going to be one they close the night with, or one that’s ugly and sucks. and then they lost every single coin flip. the whole sensibility of this song. ew. this might be the only Strung Out song I skip every single time.

the weather is turning awesome. we should see our neighbors more. I’m gonna make a point of doing that. look out neighborhood! lol. fuck. I love this time of year. I love punk rock. I love strung out.

four stars.