Rough Edge: Four Year Strong CD Reviews

FOUR YEAR STRONG

"Rise or Die Trying" (I Surrender; 2007)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

You gotta give Four Years Strong credit for trying. The band's energy level throughout the eleven tracks on "Rise or Die Trying" never flags, and each band member is obviously giving their all to the project. Unfortunately, it's just not enough.

Neither any worse nor any better than a myriad of other CDs from bands that sound exactly the same, from Taking Back Sunday to Story of the Year, "Rise or Die Trying" soon fades into the background of a genre that's far too cluttered as it is and (no pun intended), simply doesn't rise above the average. About halfway through the CD, that dreaded, "Been There, Heard This" feeling falls over the listener and it becomes almost a chore to finish out the record.

A strong dose of originality is what Four Year Strong needed most on this CD. As it is, "Rise or Die Trying" is simply another soundalike record in a genre that already has too many soundalikes.

For more information, check out http://www.fouryearstrongmusic.com or http://www.myspace.com/fouryearstrong.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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