Strangers - Persona Non Grata (23/12/2012)
Strangers are an up and coming rock band from the beaches of Sydney. Their first album Persona Non Grata was released in 2012 by Permanent records.
From the very start of the album, Strangers start belting out their modern rock sound with Red Brick. The sound of Red Brick, and strangers in general is similar to Green Day’s American idiot album. The next song Closer to Nowhere reiterates this sound, with similar voice effects incorporated in parts of the song that are all used through Green Day’s major breakout album. The opening two songs are easy to listen to, but nothing really jumps out as unique or special.
From there, unfortunately the album doesn’t get any more enjoyable. The tune is always at a deep sombre tone and the lyrics are a little corny. For example in the song Medication (Fire Eyes) “get your medication, forget your name, it’s a sweet sensation, running through your veins” are the lyrics in the chorus that is repeated multiple times. The words in the album are very hard to connect with and lack the emotion that’s really needed in the genre they are trying to break into.
The rest of the album is cliché’, the songs drone into each other and lacks a little bit of creativity.
However, the lead singer sings fairly well and the band has obvious musical talent. The guitar riffs are solid as displayed in their title track Persona Non Grata and far too late are very good. The album just lacks the point of difference needed to really put them on the map, nothing in the album really sticks out as special.
Experimenting with a few different type of tones and incorporating a few more instruments with interludes and instrumentals could add some diversity and create a better listening experience.
Strangers are touring around Australia in February if you want to check them out live.
Ryan Hyde
Follow me on Twitter - @RyanHyde93
From the very start of the album, Strangers start belting out their modern rock sound with Red Brick. The sound of Red Brick, and strangers in general is similar to Green Day’s American idiot album. The next song Closer to Nowhere reiterates this sound, with similar voice effects incorporated in parts of the song that are all used through Green Day’s major breakout album. The opening two songs are easy to listen to, but nothing really jumps out as unique or special.
From there, unfortunately the album doesn’t get any more enjoyable. The tune is always at a deep sombre tone and the lyrics are a little corny. For example in the song Medication (Fire Eyes) “get your medication, forget your name, it’s a sweet sensation, running through your veins” are the lyrics in the chorus that is repeated multiple times. The words in the album are very hard to connect with and lack the emotion that’s really needed in the genre they are trying to break into.
The rest of the album is cliché’, the songs drone into each other and lacks a little bit of creativity.
However, the lead singer sings fairly well and the band has obvious musical talent. The guitar riffs are solid as displayed in their title track Persona Non Grata and far too late are very good. The album just lacks the point of difference needed to really put them on the map, nothing in the album really sticks out as special.
Experimenting with a few different type of tones and incorporating a few more instruments with interludes and instrumentals could add some diversity and create a better listening experience.
Strangers are touring around Australia in February if you want to check them out live.
Ryan Hyde
Follow me on Twitter - @RyanHyde93