There is a reason that Stretch Arm Strong can uncontestedly OWN a muggy, sweltering afternoon stage at Cornerstone. It is the same reason that they can pull a surprise "opening set" for Strongarm's final performance at same Bushnellian festival, and steal a good portion of the now-legendary (weep) thunder. The only thing without reason about Stretch is the fact that bands like Snapcase and Refused (all much deserved honor and respect given) are widely lauded, and Stretch is relatively unregarded outside of the Cornerstone crowd. It's enough injustice to make one shake one's fist. But whatever. Their time will come soon enough . . . at least I would truly hope so. Sweet Moses, is there no justice left at all in the world?
A Revolution Transmission is the band's second LP on Solid State, and it simultaneously continues and diverges upon Stretch Arm Strong's familiar approach to hardcore punk rock. The constant thread is in their energy, compulsive sing-alongability, jack hammer rhythms, neck-snapping break downs, overwhelming air of honest encouragement and confidence, and of course Chris McLane's how-is-it-possible-without-effects amazing lead vocals (and if you have seen them live, you know there are no effects). The divergence comes in the form of a heightened amount of honesty and sonic layers and risks.
"Positive Aspects of Negativity," for instance, tackles feelings of confusion and pain-induced reactions of red-eyed anger stemming from indignation and injustice. In its own manic way, it is a very whimsical song, seeing as how it goes from the line: "Sometimes I'd like to punch you in the mouth / Just to keep you from talking so loud / Sometimes I'd like to ring your little neck / So maybe just maybe you'd forget to be so selfish all the time," to: "No easy answers for the way things go / And if the pain doesn't kill you / It can only make you grow." Gotta end on that positive note, you know.
"Take Back Control" immediately follows it with a scathing rebuke of sexual violence and exploitation (and the relationship thereof). The importance of the song's subject matter is hammered home with almost flippant, shame-casting song progression, and the impending, falling wrath of an embittered female voice that battles Chris himself for the lead mic. It is a risky idea that pays off big by song's end (at which time any male listening has to be looking intently at his feet).
Greater diversity in guitar parts, and song structure in general, also add to the "new feel" of Stretch Arm Strong. And while some song topics reveal a more introspective and righteously pissed off Stretch, the band refuses to focus on negativity, and balances their wrath with songs of pure joy, gratitude, hope, and challenge.
The first track, "For the Record," was written just for their notoriously audience-involved live shows, and has "sing-a-long 'till you pass out" written all over it. With a chorus of "We were more than just a tour date / You were more than just a song / We sweat and sang together / And it helped us to carry on," it is a true shame that their album will probably be released too late to be memorized by Cornerstone.
It may take a few spins to get the same "connection" that Rituals of Life offered so quickly, but it will connect, and Stretch will (surely) get closer to the recognition they deserve.
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Nate BaileyThis is Stretch Arm Strong's third full-length release. They have gained a massive following of devoted fans through their intense live shows with bands such as The Hope Conspiracy and Brother's Keeper. "A Revolution Transmission" is everything you expect from SAS and more. Building on their traditional foundation they have added a more musical and mature sound. There are more harmonies, more…Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Travis PersaudThis is Stretch Arm Strong's third full-length release. They have gained a massive following of devoted fans through their intense live shows with bands such as The Hope Conspiracy and Brother's Keeper. This is one of the best and purest "hardcore" albums I've heard in a long while. Stretch Arm Strong is one of those unique bands that are able to have insanely intense and aggressive songs, and…Art for the Ears 2001Reviewed by Marco PovervestThe third full length album from the guys of Stretch Arm Strong rotates in my CD-player. The band was started back in 1993 and after eight years they prove to be standard-bearers for the hardcore scene. Their music seems to be the perfect blend of emotion, melody and sheer power. It's energetic hardcore with loud screaming vocals, gang vocals, and with a punk rock attitude to it. A Revolution…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Olin JenkinsStretch Arm Strong (three words, not two), hardcore punk underground band from Columbia, South Carolina, is back with its familiar style, but A Revolution Transmission is a slightly more versatile musical departure from their last two full-length projects, Rituals of Life and Compassion Fills the Void. The guys include their true-to-form, familiar, welcome-to-the-mosh-pit configuration with very…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Josh SpencerMore of the same creative juxtaposition of hardcore with indie rock and a pinch of metal, though perhaps not as fresh or as aggressive as their Solid State debut (they had an earlier independent release also). The songs might be more diverse, with more actual singing and even some piano, but it's not different enough to turn off old fans or bring in new ones. Their most compelling moments are…Similar sounding releases
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