Search - Stroke 9 :: All in

::Insert play on words involving "All In"::

Christopher Lee Eastman | Jacksonville, FL USA | 11/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's been a couple years since we last heard from Stroke 9 with their album "Rip It Off," a faster paced album compared to 1999's "Nasty Little Thoughts," and a highly unnoticed one at that. "Kick Some Ass" was featured in Kevin Smith's most well-known movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, which promoted the band a little bit, but otherwise stayed low-profile compared to their first album. On November 9th, 2004, they released a fully independent album entitled "All In" that features some very experimental - and quite catchy - music. The lyrics are also quite witty, and this album is a great addition to my collection.

The songs resemble those from "Nasty Little Thoughts" more than "Rip It Off"'s did, but aren't quite the same. Some might say it's right in between the two previous albums, an out of place stepping stone. They had no record label telling them how to do everything, so they had freedom they deserved and did something incredible with it. Song by song review, anyone?





1.) How Am I Gonna Know- Definitely radio-friendly and radio-deserving. Would make a great single. Starts out nicely and has an absolutely beautiful chorus that is quite catchy. The song strongly resembles those of their first album, varying between quick speeds and then becoming a bit softer and slower, then fast again. Features Jens Funke on bass.



2.) Run Away- More fast paced than the first song of the album. I love the music they play right before the chorus. It's catchy and not like anything we've heard from them previously. Finely written lyrics, too.



3.) Set You Free- Starts off like a classical song, a violin or instruement of that nature providing a soothing feel, then it kicks into the guitar/drums/bass/singing that we so desire. It features Greg Gueldner (Stroke 9's original bassist) on bass. The chorus is very catchy.



4.) Stop Saying Goodbye- A slower song, but still upbeat, a signature of Stroke 9. Great message and lyrics in the song, once you listen to it you'll enjoy it a lot. The music suits the words quite well.



5.) Faux Gucci Girl- Witty lyrics and a catchy beat. This song makes me laugh a little bit. The bridge type part is my favorite part. Overall a fun song.



6.) Rod Beck- It's been said before, but I'll say it again. This is a song you'd expect to hear playing during a movie, most likely a comedy knowing Hollywood these days. The verses are basically Luke talking, but the chorus starts and you feel like it's a song once again. There are some great guitars in this

song.



7.) Words to live By- Wow. One of my favorite songs, a lot of people don't seem overly fond of it. It starts out with some neat guitars, then some strange vocal effects. I wonder if Luke went dumpster diving and found some old synthesizer. The song consists mostly of odd questions with an interlude of "yeah" between each question, which might seem annoying at first, but I quickly grew fond of it. The chorus is amazing too. Very experimental for the band, but it turned out well. Very well indeed.



8.) Abandon Confusion- A slower song with great lyrics. It kind of hides, stuck along with "My Advice" between to of the more upbeat songs. A song worth listening to.



9.) My Advice- Possibly the slowest song on the album, it's quite relaxing to listen to. Both the chorus and the verses are enjoyable,much calmer and soothing than the other songs on "All In"



10.) Part'e- I absolutely love this song. It starts out with what sounds like a record playing backwards, then some type of keyboard or something kicks in. The lyrics are very funny, a total party song that's named appropriately. Almost every college guy in America can relate to this song. The music is extremely catchy and the lyrics are genius. Another of my favorite songs. I think this could also be found in a party type movie.



Overall, "All In" is a very experimental album with some music we're not accustomed to, but Luke, John, and Eric certainly made it work for them. For anyone who has listened to the bay area band over the years, this is a must buy album. If you can't afford it, sell your leg. It's worth it. Trust me.



Well, maybe a couple toes. You'd need your leg to get to the store and buy it. Thanks for the great album, guys."

Evolving creativity

Lerxst | Danbury, CT | 02/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I for one was looking forward to another Stroke 9 CD everytime I logged onto Amazon, and ordered "All In" on faith that it would deliver as the band's first two releases had. After reading a few customer reviews complaining that this latest CD isn't just like the others that came before it I felt compelled to put my two cents in. I will agree that "All In" varies from what I had come accustomed to hearing from these guys, but then again, so was "Rip It Off" from "Nasty Little Thoughts". Now that I've been playing this one for a while I can tell you that it DOES deliver. My personal favorites for those interested are: "Stop Saying Goodbye", "Set You Free", "How Am I Going To Know", "Words to Live By" and "Part'e" (in that order). The lyrics have ingrained themselves in my memory already - and that is what Stoke 9 cnmtinues to produce: Fun songs that get right into us. Never mind the "unfamiliar" arrangements -- they are only unfamilier because it is NEW. Do we really want carbon-copy re-hashes of what is already out there? Ugh! I hope not. Being in my thirties I have lived through a few different rock trends and have heard the same complaints given to any band (Rush and Yes are perfect examples) that has had any longevity: "It's not their sound" -- what is? Stroke 9 is evolving, and so is their creativity. I look forward to seeing where it goes in the future. The music that is coming out today seems to hold more promise than that of when I was growing up. Bands such as Third Eye Blind, Eve 6 and yes Stroke 9 are bands I am looking at to become long-lived and prolific artists. And if I'm wrong, well, I'll watch to see the evolution of where the individual players go. (FYI - Former 3EB guitarist/songwriter Kevin Cadogan puts his had in on "Set You Free") Try it, you'll like it. -Bob"

Theyre just trying new things

woody | massachusetts | 08/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"ok, so yes this new album is very different from nasty little thoughts and rip it off, but i frankly admire the fact that they dont get stuck in one place. each of their albums are so unique and offer something different. i really respect the fact that they are willing to go out on a limb and try something new. yes, i dont think i can listen to this album all the way through like the past two, but "how am i gonna know","stop saying goodbye" and "parte" keep up the fun to listen to poppy sound while "runaway" and "rod beck" bring in a new flavor (esp. that solo in rod beck. sweet) so i say job well done stroke 9 and keep experimenting. i look forward to your next achievement."