Strung Out: Dead Rebellion

Strung Out's latest album, Dead Rebellion, is their tenth studio release. The album tries to retain the band's signature sound and mix of politically charged and heartfelt lyrics that fans have come to love since their formation in 1989. However, some listeners may feel that the album falls short of capturing the greatness of their past releases.

This album initially sounds like a sonic masterpiece where stand-out tracks 'Future Gods' and 'New Owls' sound like anthems for new and old punks alike, then everything after becomes a musically stale version of their previous work. What could have helped this album be better is to have released it as a five or six-song EP and just cut out the filler. Songs like 'Life You Bleed' or 'Empire Down' feel like they were rushed and not thought out.

Despite the music mostly sounding like a slightly off Strung Out cover band the content of Jason Cruz's lyrics is still rich with anger and heartbreak. The emotional snarl that Jason delivers when he sings "A nihilistic love letter, do they think they know better? We can ride all night till the fucking wheels fall off" will make you want to jump in the pit.

Throughout the decades of listening to this band, they have had ups and downs musically yet Jason Cruz's lyrics have continued to keep me listening. I don't know what that says about me but the songs 'Cages' and 'New Gods' will be on my summer playlist.