MR

This is one of the best albums (showing my age there) I've heard for ages - in fact so good, I wouldn't have been disappointed if this was the new SP release. Definite SP influence on a couple of the tracks and frankly, the mix of guitar styles is something of a contrast to the formulaic stuff Neal's been putting out lately. (Less is more, Neal, less is more). There is a similarity to the last couple of Journey releases, however, the sound mix is pretty bad on the rockier tracks and it sometimes sounds like it was mixed in a bucket, if you know what I mean.

Samples, please...

annie89509 wrote:Samples, please...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZdC_8J8 ... re=related

Strangeways rocked at Firefest. Terry Brock's voice was a little rough due to a solo set the night before and the heinous Rock City smoke machine, but they were still really good. Jebber's got a bunch of videos on Youtube. Here's one (Crazy Deb, Sunshine Pam and I are front row far left):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHeUP0qB ... re=related

You can listen to the whole lbum at Spotify.com

GlennintheUK wrote:This is one of the best albums (showing my age there) I've heard for ages - in fact so good, I wouldn't have been disappointed if this was the new SP release. Definite SP influence on a couple of the tracks and frankly, the mix of guitar styles is something of a contrast to the formulaic stuff Neal's been putting out lately. (Less is more, Neal, less is more). There is a similarity to the last couple of Journey releases, however, the sound mix is pretty bad on the rockier tracks and it sometimes sounds like it was mixed in a bucket, if you know what I mean.

Utter crap and the new one is even worse, strangeways is an example of why people should be allowed to download music before purchasing.

I'm a huge Strangeways fan, but as for the 2 recent studio albums "Pefect World" and "Age Of Reason", some good songs and strong vocals from Terry on both, but really pretty bland/ disappointing in total (lots of slower tunes, not much rocking out like the old "Native Sons" or "Walk In The Fire" albums).

However- you must hear the recent "Where Do We Go From Here- Live At Firefest" album! OMG does that ever SMOKE!! Too bad the Live At Friefest stuff isn't getting wider distrbution....

Hey, they're pretty good ...never heard of them before...

yulog wrote:

GlennintheUK wrote:This is one of the best albums (showing my age there) I've heard for ages - in fact so good, I wouldn't have been disappointed if this was the new SP release. Definite SP influence on a couple of the tracks and frankly, the mix of guitar styles is something of a contrast to the formulaic stuff Neal's been putting out lately. (Less is more, Neal, less is more). There is a similarity to the last couple of Journey releases, however, the sound mix is pretty bad on the rockier tracks and it sometimes sounds like it was mixed in a bucket, if you know what I mean.

Utter crap and the new one is even worse, strangeways is an example of why people should be allowed to download music before purchasing.

Don't tell me - you don't like Steve Perry solo stuff, there's too many ballads on Trial by Fire, you really like Neal rocking out on the last couple of Journey releases etc, etc.

GlennintheUK wrote:

yulog wrote:

GlennintheUK wrote:This is one of the best albums (showing my age there) I've heard for ages - in fact so good, I wouldn't have been disappointed if this was the new SP release. Definite SP influence on a couple of the tracks and frankly, the mix of guitar styles is something of a contrast to the formulaic stuff Neal's been putting out lately. (Less is more, Neal, less is more). There is a similarity to the last couple of Journey releases, however, the sound mix is pretty bad on the rockier tracks and it sometimes sounds like it was mixed in a bucket, if you know what I mean.

Utter crap and the new one is even worse, strangeways is an example of why people should be allowed to download music before purchasing.

Don't tell me - you don't like Steve Perry solo stuff, there's too many ballads on Trial by Fire, you really like Neal rocking out on the last couple of Journey releases etc, etc.

Wrong , wrong and wrong.

GlennintheUK wrote:You can listen to the whole lbum at Spotify.com

Btw, just heard a story on NPR about this. Said that if you take the default security settings, and you have a Facebook acct, then Facebook will grab your spotify playlist. Then all others will be able to see what you listen to. No big deal really, but you may not want everyone knowing everything.


later~

Perfect World is not vintage Strangeways BUT I love it. Think Neil Young. Mellow, smooth, groovey. Don't EVEN get me started. hehe (I LOVE Neil Young)

This is all Andrew's fault. He dragged me out of the merch booth at MRfest 2 in Elgin and sez, "You gotta hear this guy". And yes, Virginia, I am in desperate and all-consuming love with this band.

The title track, Perfect World, is the best Strangeways song of all, imho.

Here is 'Time' from the same album.

http://www.facebook.com/Strangeasfolk?sk=app_2405167945

Their new album is Age of Reason. Check out tracks 'Run' and 'As We Fall'.

They have their own record label now and you can listen to more songs in the player. Or better yet, just order them and fall in love along with me!

http://www.dangerousdogrecords.co.uk/website/Home.html

If you order the live Firefest cd and/or dvd, 'Where Do We Go From Here', it will be a pretty good overview of all the stuff, excluding Age of Reason which came out just recently. thefirefest.com

Soapbox speech over. discuss.

GlennintheUK wrote:This is one of the best albums (showing my age there) I've heard for ages - in fact so good, I wouldn't have been disappointed if this was the new SP release. Definite SP influence on a couple of the tracks and frankly, the mix of guitar styles is something of a contrast to the formulaic stuff Neal's been putting out lately. (Less is more, Neal, less is more). There is a similarity to the last couple of Journey releases, however, the sound mix is pretty bad on the rockier tracks and it sometimes sounds like it was mixed in a bucket, if you know what I mean.

Their last 2 albums - including PW - are two of the most hideously bland and boring, badly produced AOR albums I have heard in my time running this site. Not a patch on their legacy material.

Hustler wrote:I'm a huge Strangeways fan, but as for the 2 recent studio albums "Pefect World" and "Age Of Reason", some good songs and strong vocals from Terry on both, but really pretty bland/ disappointing in total (lots of slower tunes, not much rocking out like the old "Native Sons" or "Walk In The Fire" albums)...

Yep...it's not about htem not rocing...the songs are simply faaaaaaaar too long and ultimately all sound the same and are badly produced. Especially PW.

Andrew wrote:

Hustler wrote:I'm a huge Strangeways fan, but as for the 2 recent studio albums "Pefect World" and "Age Of Reason", some good songs and strong vocals from Terry on both, but really pretty bland/ disappointing in total (lots of slower tunes, not much rocking out like the old "Native Sons" or "Walk In The Fire" albums)...

Yep...it's not about htem not rocing...the songs are simply faaaaaaaar too long and ultimately all sound the same and are badly produced. Especially PW.

Let's post vintage Strangeways for comparison.

A slow song but close to the top of my favs list.

So Far Away. http://youtu.be/IOsvmoVK4_0

Never Gonna Loose It. dig the shred!! http://youtu.be/9IE0FKiVvVs

Only a Fool. http://youtu.be/3byrRRFOcmQ

Empty Streets. http://youtu.be/x39dcr5fY-k

Ok, Annie. Some samples. whatcha think???