With an eye on the old-school and an ear for melody, Stretch Arm Strong shows that they're not your average hardcore band. The classical guitar opening of "When Sorrow Falls" proves this. But, seconds later, when the band starts speeding along ala old school hardcore, you also learn this band isn't for wimps. It's this strange dichotomy that drives the Stretch Arm Strong sound. The song "For Now" is a good example, starting with a piano solo, moving into speedy screaming hardcore, then slowing down and ending with some harmonious background vocals. While this mixture of start/stop songs and melodic occasions isn't terribly original, the band manages to make it work together.
The vocals of lead singer Chris McLane are well done, his shouting distinctive and dynamic enough to move the music along. Production by Barry Poynter is good, with crisp sonics, though the music lacks some punch on some parts and tracks. Lyrically, the band sticks mostly to relationship and daily living issues, singing on songs such as "To A Friend (Lockdown)":
...and when you're in the depths of despair,
know that, I'll be there! I'll be there!
I'll comfort you! ...until the end, my friend.
and then again on "When Sorrow Falls":
it's ok for me to say I love you
and it's ok for you to cry
the sorrow that you are feeling you cannot deny
so why is it so hard trying to express what you feel?
With a mature sound and some interesting twists added to the typical hardcore formula, Stretch Arm Strong has made a solid, if not exactly memorable, record. While there are some good songs, such as "When Sorrow Falls," "For Now," and "All We've Lost," the rest fail to live up to these stand-out tracks. Despite these shortcomings, the band has managed to put together a solid big-label debut, and hopefully they can use the better parts of this record to really make the next one rock.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #78Reviewed by Ben MengdenInstant win. This album is an easy punk/hardcore success. Leaning more towards the hardcore side, each song is powerful; a well done ensemble. A hail to the reasons we love hardcore: positive, motivational lyrics, energy, musical strength. Reminiscent of H2O, they have enough punk in them to do this wonderful chorus singing, while the lead vocals are more full-out screams. Both types of vocals…Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco PovervestThis is one of my favorite, if not the favorite, hardcore releases of 1999. Let me explain. Just put the disc into your player and start it. The album kicks off with When Sorrow Falls. The intro might distract you a bit but then the band launches some powerful hardcore with great playing abilities and full of punkrock energy. The song structures are excellent, diverse and still such a unity. The…Similar sounding releases
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