Strung Out

It's hard to gauge the true disappointment felt when a band that has constantly improved with each new release finally puts out an album that sounds like they haven't put any effort into at all. An American Paradox isn't a bad album, it just feels as though the band didn't push itself to stand out like it has on its previous efforts. Moreover, it just seems so pointless for a band with the technical know-how and punk skills of Strung Out to put out a record that really only acknowledges that they're still a band. Last year's EP, The Element of Sonic Defiance, seemed to be a teaser of what was not to come on An American Paradox, unfortunately. The record still possesses that trademarked Strung Out cyber-hardcore sound, but there's nothing new or exciting here for the ever-evolving fan of the band.