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Stroke 9's cheeky "Little Black Backpack" briefly flared over the modern rock landscape of 1999, where it joined hit singles from combos drinking in the last warm rays of the post-grunge movement's second wave. But like Vertical Horizon, Splender, and Nine Days, Stroke 9 didn't have much staying power beyond its three minutes of fun and spent most of 2000 satisfying college students' nostalgia for pre-millennium modern rock. After a series of false starts, the Bay Area combo has finally returned to wax with Rip It Off, which switches out the sarcasm and light-alternative tropes of Nasty Little Thoughts with a new, yet largely identical template. A catchy opener actually revs up Splender's "Yeah, Whatever" for a similarly cynical tale of jaded relationships. "Get out/Get dressed/There's only one thing you're after/You're still the same self-centered bastard." Vocalist Luke Esterkyn gets cute by singing both sides of that delightfully mean duet, and his post game of past conquests in "100 Girls" unfolds over some fizzy stop-start riffing that recalls blink-182. "Kick Some A**" fails musically, but it's a funny enough indictment of rap-metal bravado to suggest that Stroke 9 meant the joke to carry through the weak heavy rock arrangement. The pop culture references and urban living nightmares continue throughout Rip It Off, especially on the relative standouts "Don't Worry" and the first hidden bonus track "Do It Again" ("You're taking me to Cousins/And you're taking off your top"). But Stroke 9 really isn't very original, and this becomes glaringly obvious during the album's slower moments ("Anywhere," "California"), which don't have the luxury of relying on lyrical witticisms or fun, empty-headed hooks. Rip It Off might have some appeal for core fans, but its limited shelf life puts Stroke 9's stay at the modern rock motel in serious jeopardy. ~ Johnny Loftus
Recorded at Henson, Hollywood, California; Ruby Red, Atlanta, Georgia; Bayview Studios, Richmond, California.
Stroke 9: Luke Esterkyn (vocals, guitar); John McDermott (guitar, background vocals); Greg Gueldner (bass); Eric Stock (drums).
Producers include: Sroke 9, Butch Walker, John Shanks, David Kahne, Jerry Harrison.
Personnel: Luke Esterkyn (vocals, guitar); Butch Walker (vocals); John McDermott, Jr. (guitar, background vocals); John Shanks (guitar); Semyon Kobialka (cello); Erica Stock (drums, programming); Karl Derfler (programming).
Audio Mixers: Karl Derfler; Marc DeSisto; Stroke 9; Tom Lord-Alge; Butch Walker.
Additional personnel: John Shanks (guitar); Semyon Kobialka (cello); Patrick Warren (chamberlin); Eric Stock, Karl Derfler (programming); Butch Walker (background vocals).
2nd Rel.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Not as good as the last one.... Yes I really do like this CD but I enjoyed the beats and music of the first release better. This CD, to me, sounds like every other band out their. I am a really big fan, I just think the first was better. Better variety of songs. Submitted by heavy_metal_machine67 (wisconsin) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
They Did It Again! Stroke9 knows how to give people what they want! How often a bands second CD sound just as strong as their first? Almost never! This CD has a strong group of songs that won't let you stop it until the end and then you just want to start it back over again! Submitted by a reviewer (St. Louis, Mo, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
STROKE 9 DOES IT AGAIN I have to admit - after listening to very few cds besides Stroke 9's "Nasty Little Thoughts" for 3 years, I wasn't even sure THEY could put out another cd that I could grow so attached to. But sure enough, Stroke 9 accomplished just that with "Rip It Off" (which hasn't left my cd player since it came out!). Stroke 9 has managed to mature while not eliminating any of the elements that brought them praise with their first major debut and that their listeners so love. Old fans who loved the catchiness of "Washin' and Wonderin'" will enjoy the sex-driven tune "Do It Again" and the fun, punky "Latest Disaster," while those who admired the passionate lyrics of "Tear Me In Two" will appreciate "Anywhere." This rocking album will not disappoint Stroke 9 fans and will surely gain many first-time listeners. Submitted by ccrowscutie (Bloomfield, NJ) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Sophmore Album Outdoes It's Predisesor "Rip it Off" can only be described in one word....AMAZING! I put it in my car, and have yet to take it out. Songs like "Do it Again" and "Latest Disaster" bring a fun feeling to the cd, where as songs like "California" and "Vacuum Bag" bring a more sentimental edge to it. Overall, I love this album, and I highly recomend picking one up...it is so choice! Submitted by brandilaine (Mt. Juliet, TN, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great All around..
some good solos and sing alongable tunes of a mix of funny and emotional lyrics that will leave you wanting to hit repeat for the cd Submitted by Sean_Morrison (Vernon,CT,USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Not as good as the last one....
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