Strike Anywhere - To Live in Discontent

Out of all the political punk/hardcore bands around today, it's a rarity that you'll find one nearly as passionate and sincere about their craft as Richmond's Strike Anywhere. Nor will you find many bands that maintain an aggressive edge simultaneously with an ear for melody, a trait they share with their hometown brethren in Avail, and the legendary 7 Seconds. To Live in Discontent might not contain any new material, but nevertheless, it's a disc worth owning for any Strike Anywhere fan. Though their debut full-length on Jade Tree, Change is a Sound, is by far the band's strongest release, this early material--the foundation for the Strike Anywhere of today, shouldn't be overlooked. "Asleep" and "Antidote," two tracks previously found on a Fat Wreck 7", introduce this compilation, followed by six songs from the band's first EP, Chorus of One--the title track from that record, found here, is one of the band's strongest yet--pointing fingers at the government, cops, praising rebellion--definitive punk rock. "Two Fuses," a cut apparently deemed unworthy for 2003's Exit English, doesn't hold up to the rawness of the rest of this disc but isn't out of place. "Sunspotting" highlights the creation of the band, being a track from their 1999 demo, and definitely shows the progress this young band has made in their short yet successful career. Finally, the band rounds up the rest of this one with covers, a staple of any good punk rock show. The Gorilla Biscuits' "Two Sides," Dag Nasty's "Values Here," and "Where Are they Now," from Cock Sparrer. Strike Anywhere continues to be one of the most beloved bands in the punk rock community, mostly due to their ability to grab the attention of fans on both ends of the spectrum. Their lyrics and music are raw, powerful, and the politics attract the more "punk rock" kids, while their melodies are radio-friendly enough to not alienate fans of less harsh music. To Live in Discontent should be an essential for any fan of the band, especially since their first EP seems to be currently out of print, but it's not the ideal starting point for new fans. [www.exitenglish.com]