Title: Yesterday's News
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Release: 15th July 2013
Reviewed By: Ben Chapman
North Californian five-piece Strike to Survive certainly know what they’re doing - very loudly showing how to be very loud - with their latest full length release, Yesterday’s News. A competent record that’s seriously aggressive without overdoing the seriousness, Yesterday’s News acknowledges its similarity to other heavy punk releases whilst still being able to make fun of itself.
The title nods at the inclusion of a couple of re-recordings from previous EPs whilst also marking the theme of struggling to generate something original that beats what’s already there: but it is this same reflexive thought that in fact allows Strike to Survive’s pre-emptive lash out to stand out. With an honesty as raw as it's constant distorted riffing, ‘Nothing to do except play my second fiddle / Born to lose / Yesterday’s news / Cry baby middle class white boy blues’, Yesterday’s News is a record that’s self-conscious and expertly delivered yet simple in its pleasures. In all the angst it hasn’t forgotten to sound nice and punk. This is driving stuff.
Dead Reckoning begins with an initial build up that’s atmospheric yet short lived so as not to bore the listener. The typical guitar feedback, distantly chattering vocal samples, and call-to-war tom-toms soon give way to a welcome thrash about, allowing the album to make a blunt first impression amongst a wonderfully familiar yet freshly powerful pulling out of old punk tricks: Strike to Survive sound just as comfortable in their heavy double time troughs as their infectiously aggressive chord smashing peaks, topped off with typically stabby rhythmic breakdowns and the odd extended vocal roar. What’s most impressive is how they pack so much noise and quickly introduce the main ideas behind their sound into one short track with very little messing around.
They don’t let up the pace on the second track. The moment’s pause between songs makes for an effective interruption as Wide Awake bursts in with its impressive drumming and the hostile distortion of power chords that get incrementally heavier towards the song’s end.
The title track is a continuation of the album’s speed and power. There is little time for rest throughout the album, all of which is structured tightly, the moments of relative quiet being carried by either the bass’s rattle or kick drum’s head knocking certainty. The band’s thickened sound and considerate production on Yesterday’s News is reminiscent of certain moments heard on Alexisonfire’s Crisis.
Scapeghost utilises a pleasantly classic punk bass tone. Steady and driving, the notes punch deep with a familiar metallic bounciness that keeps the album’s momentum charged before the guitars tear back in. This track is particularly enjoyable for its convincingly aggressive vocals and layered roar of the band’s group shouting.
Ringer is one of the more melodic tracks, though that’s not to say it’s more relaxed. The trebly guitars leap around crushing out unexpected notes as well as more conventional scale-oriented riffs. American Bricks, with its bludgeoning strength and simplicity is one of the eleven heavy crude blocks building up the immovable musical wall of Yesterday’s News, concisely summarising the power consistently heard during the album.
Whilst it could be argued that a lot of these tracks sound a bit samey, the differences are worth looking out for. The songs are all so evenly strong and unrelenting that it’s almost like you’re dealing with an entire musical force rather than a collection of individual tracks. The excellent performance and energetic delivery means there’s just no time to get annoyed by any perceived repetition. With an average song length of 2:25, Yesterday’s News’ rush of tunes display Strike to Survive as having definitely struck, and most likely surviving, by ensuring their fans’ anticipation for the next record.
Yesterday's News is available now.
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