The impact of this CD is somewhat lessened for me, having lucked into Chorus of One shortly after its release in 2000 and also having the songs on the 7” that Fat released. And then listening to both of them for years on end. But if you’ve never heard of Strike Anywhere (who were on the cover of Razorcake #9) or just have the albums, it’s definitely a treat to be able to pick up some rarities, extras, and covers in one big scoop. In a time and place where smart political punk that confronts and investigates the world around us in ways that are valuable and meaningful (instead of just “Fuck the Man,” “Kill the Pigs,”) Strike Anywhere is a rare commodity. It’s great to see beyond a shadow of a doubt that their music isn’t as perishable as a flavor of the month and hasn’t become dated in four years. It’s a testament to how considerable the band really is. The music? Fucking awesome. Anthemic in the best sense, where heart is directly translated into soaring guitars, pummeling drums, and Thomas’ unmistakable voice. They’re one of those far-too-few bands where their integrity and message is matched by how powerfully their songs are actually arranged and played. This release also includes three covers (Dag Nasty, Gorilla Biscuits, and Cock Sparrer), an unreleased track from their Exit English session, and a song from their first demo. Highly recommended.
–todd (Jade Tree)