All I've been able to hear about this album, is how the "new" Everdown sound just rocks. This is my first Everdown album, and therefore I cannot give you an accurate comparison in the sounds of the band. What I can tell you is that Straining is an incredible album. I'm not exactly sure how to categorize it, with so many classifications of music these days. It's heavier than your average alternative, but the vocals are too intelligible to be grunge. It's too slow to be death, yet too fast to be hardcore, and it doesn't have the high-spirited feel of punk. I guess if I had to find a spot to put it in, I would go with late 80's early 90's speed, but I really don't like that either. All in all, not many bands are producing this kind of sound and it's really a shame. You can lose yourself in this music. This ability is due to the well-thought-out patterns the music makes-such as with the song "Unleaded." This cut starts with the haunting vocals laid lightly on top of the music, and as the end of the verse comes at you, the intensity of the music increases with every beat, and the chorus rips through you at full-force.
For me, there is nothing negative about this album. I know many people think a Christian band must offer strong, influential lyrics, and Frail may strike a negative for these people. Everdown tends to use very simple yet highly effective lyrics. The lyrical portion of the songs is mostly made up of one or two short verses and a chorus. They tend to get through the lyrics, then repeat them. They make only one mention of God, which does not take away from the validity of the band's Christian approach, for their songs tend to deal more with issues.
There are some nice clips (I won't spoil them for you) from movies and TV shows included that are just great. Overall, this album deserves at least a listen-there really is something for everyone who likes harder music.
Similar sounding releases
2000DeftonesWhite Pony
1997TourniquetCrawl to China
2002The Last FarewellFar Cry From Failure
2001Psycoma...Of The Mind
2000Earth CrisisSlither
2002CR33The Backlash Uprising
