Strike Anywhere are one of those bands where anything that can possibly be said has already been; the politically charged punk rock outfit have built a reputation on preaching upon certain ideals, it’s really as simple as that. In the case of third full-length ‘Dead FM’ the statement sadly applies to the music, nothing new is on offer here; Strike Anywhere still have the exact same sound as they always have done.

At just over 30 minutes long, this 14 track album is typical of the sound the band has forged and thrived upon. The biggest difference here is the record label; Strike have finally been snapped up by the punk rock hothouse that is Fat Wreck Chords, so many bands have been released on Fat Wreck before that it seems almost inevitable that a band such as Strike Anywhere would inevitably end up on the world’s favourite punk label.

This album is probably one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of their careers so far, previous LP ‘Exit English’ was released 3 years ago (though it made such an impression that it often seems longer ago), and forgetting Jade Tree’s release of the bands older material as the album ‘To Live in Discontent’ at the beginning of last year, it’s the first new material we’ve heard in those 3 long years. For a political punk band in the current state of the world, this would seem like a long time, but then again, 3 years ago, the general consensus was that Americans were unhappy with George Bush, and that’s probably still the same, so very little has really changed, they still preach the same message, and possibly always will do.

For what it’s worth this is a highly satisfying album, Strike Anywhere have always had an ability to integrate their protests into some of the catchiest and upbeat punk tunes this side of The Descendents. Still presents are the massive chants in the chorus, it’s easy to get drawn in and singing along to words you don’t even know when you first listen to some of the choruses.

Despite all the similarity to previous songs and releases, Strike Anywhere seem to have discovered a slightly more accessible sound, the songs verge further on being outright catchy tunes than ever before, ‘Speak To Our Empty Pockets’ and ‘House Arrest’ stand out as prime examples of this. The tempo is constant and the whole album switches between a happy catchy tempo and ridiculously fast, typically punk tempo, it all stands out and adds to the strengths already exerted by this band.

‘Instinct’ is probably the most unlikely Strike Anywhere song ever; starting off with a quiet verse, just vocals, sung not chanted, and a distortion free guitar, but then it explodes into galloping mass of sound, just as Strike Anywhere songs always have done. The absolute stand out track on this album is ‘Hollywood Cemetery’, it sums up the bands mentality and if anything can ever be attributed the title of the ultimate Strike Anywhere song, then with lines such as “found out all my heroes are just parasites” and “if you don’t do it, who ****ing will?” this would be amongst the favourites.

The album is a satisfying slice of everything Strike Anywhere are renowned and loved for, for all the bands who push boundaries, they’re more than happy to stick to their beliefs and write the same protesting political punk songs as they have done for the past seven years; when everything else is uncertain it’s nice to know Strike Anywhere will always be the same band.