Strata - Strata
Rating
RIYL
36 CrazyfistsDredg
Deftones
Tool
Lo-Pro
Label
Wind Up RecordsTracklist
1 Piece by Piece2 I Will Breathe Fire
3 The Panic
4 When It's All Burning
5 Just Like Silk
6 We've Changed
7 Never There
8 Today
9 Trustkilltrust
10 Waiting
11 You Are Eternal
12 In a Sweet Dream
Users Rating |
Your RatingCreate an account or log in to rate this album |
Recent Ratings |
|
|
|
For a few years now, I have been enraptured by the band Strata. Although, to be fair, that statement isn’t entirely true, as they were actually called Downside up until Janaury of 2003. Their blend of emotive rock, impassioned vocals, and tinges of nu-metal were the ultimate car-driving catharsis, both catchy and hard-hitting. So it comes as no surprise that a band that is both accessible and different has been snatched up by a major label, although Wind-Up really is nowhere near as big as most labels. But thanks to the surge of popularity with the band Creed back in the mid-90s, Wind-Up has been a rock music mainstay ever since. And they’ve always been quite good about promoting their bands.
In clearer terms, this is probably the perfect fit for the two parties, as Strata needs to be heard and will get the chance to be heard by joining Wind-Up and Wind-Up benefits from the fact that they have a loyal following of consumers and a quality band in Strata. It also doesn’t hurt that Strata has the range to tour with just about any type of rock band.
Strata’s self-titled debut may seem rushed to some people, as it comes just mere months after their signing with the label, but, in actuality, the album was recorded before they even signed. It was more a matter of making it a more “official-sounding” (AKA better-mixed) album. I think they’ve managed to accomplish such a feat. The downside of this album is that it’s made up almost entirely of older material that has been reworked, oftentimes to a somewhat dissatisfactory degree. Many of the new touches probably won’t sit well with long-time fans while a few will be embraced immediately. Some overdubbing seems a bit forced, but then there are some guitar flourishes that add incredible dimension to a song’s sound.
Eric Victorino’s wavering, powerful voice automatically enraptures, while guitarist Ryan Hernandez flaunts his ability to write less-than-typical verse guitar parts and adds touches of electronic-sounding flair whenever he feels necessary. Sometimes, Hrag Chanchanian’s bass is actually the focal part of a line, as Ryan plays an atmospheric line. I’d like to see more of this from Strata, as well as other bands. And let’s not forget Adrian Robison’s pinpoint drumming, powerful kicks, and inventive fills.
As a major-label debut, this album is more than able to stand on its own two feet. As an introductory album to new fans, it should earn the band more than its fair share of followers. But to those who have followed the band for a while, it just leaves us wondering when we’ll hear some new material. And it makes us dread the idea of Strata becoming another Amazing Device, a band that continued to release updated versions of old works, signed to a label, released an album with even more reworked pieces and a single new work, and then called it a day. Strata should be able to overcome this with ease, I’m sure, as they seem to be too close of a band, personally and professionally, to let this opportunity drift away.
-Ben Rice
Comments