![[Full Album] STRUNG OUT | "Twisted By Design"](https://img5.saketami.com/storage/3/cf/yb/9a2cd0-019e834c-b845-7b6d-8094-54fb027abcd2.jpg)
[Full Album] STRUNG OUT | "Twisted By Design"
Added 2025-11-01 13:06:50 +0000 UTCI thought I knew what Strung Out sounded like, but Twisted by Design completely rewired that assumption. This album is heavier, darker, and far more dynamic than I expected. The sequencing alone floored me; each track seems to devolve tonally into something more visceral and introspective, like watching a light dim slowly.
Jim Cherry’s bass tone hits like a hammer, thunderous and present, constantly pushing against the guitars instead of hiding beneath them. And Jason Cruz’s vocals are wildly versatile. There were moments I genuinely thought I was hearing multiple singers. His range of delivery, from gritty urgency to melodic despair, gives each song its own fingerprint.
But the real gut punch comes from the lyrics. These aren’t just confessions; they read like someone trying to reason with their own demons. Every verse feels like an inner monologue balancing right at the edge, using songwriting as its own lifeline. For a band that can sound this powerful musically, pairing it with something this emotionally raw is next level. Twisted by Design might be one of the most honest punk records I’ve heard so far.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
2:15 - "Too Close to See"
11:43 - "Exhumation of Virginia Madison"
16:47 - "Deville"
24:12 - "Mind of My Own"
30:20 - "Reason to Believe"
40:08 - "Crossroads"
46:52 - "Paperwalls"
56:50 - "Ice Burn"
1:02:48 - "Ultimate Devotion"
1:08:29 - "King Alvarez"
1:13:29 - "Asking For The World"
1:19:40 - "Tattoo"
1:24:10 - "Just Like Me"
1:26:56 - "Matchbook"
1:36:09 - Final Thoughts
Comments
Please do exile in ablivion. Masterpiece
Jonathan Wells
2026-01-03 02:59:56 +0000 UTCI remember buying this cd from the mall. Fuck I'm old
Jonathan Wells
2026-01-03 02:23:15 +0000 UTCWhat a joy this was to watch. Strung Out has been a top 3 band of mine for decades. I truly can't wait for the day you listen to Exile in Oblivion. Probably the most important album to me from any band ever
Adrian Parry
2025-11-10 19:05:24 +0000 UTCI look forward to hearing Mark's explanation of what makes this band great.. maybe I can move past telling people, "It's like music, but faster." 🤷
Bryan Be Real
2025-11-10 04:43:32 +0000 UTCThe best produced and tightest album of the Live in a Dive series!!
Tom Bilodeau
2025-11-09 01:16:16 +0000 UTC“…the snare trying to be tight… Holy crap, you just helped me realize part of why I like the sound of everything R. Joseph Cape does. Strung Out has a similar tone—I’m pretty ignorant of music theory—and they were just too fast for me when I was younger.
Doug M
2025-11-08 23:04:06 +0000 UTCI've listened to this album so many times and didn't have half the thoughts about it that were mentioned in the review. I really saw the album in a whole different light! As always; I want a full album review of Strung Out - The Element of Sonic Defiance! I think that E.P. was so amazing and well put together.
Jeffrey Oja
2025-11-05 19:58:49 +0000 UTCThe live in a dive version of matchbook is fantastic.
Lump
2025-11-04 20:41:31 +0000 UTCI think we all need to collectively decide on what album we want next and then pick a song from it for this months song poll. Lol, kidding, kinda....
jclaeys80
2025-11-04 13:01:09 +0000 UTCSuburban should be before the newer stuff
Rusty shackelford
2025-11-03 21:05:58 +0000 UTCLoved the review, I knew hearing an entire album by Strung Out would really open your eyes a bit. Excited to see you experience more of them. As stated numerous times, Exile in Oblivion and Transmission Alpha Delta would be the best two to follow Twisted with. After that I'd probaly do either Element of Sonic Defianec (ep, maybe you can just slip this in without a vote ;)) or An American Paradox. A few notes after watching this review: 1. Yes, Jason sings everything. Rob does some backing vocals and i think Jim MAY have back in the day. I feel like you can hear him back there on Reason to Believe, but i could be wrong. 2. Ultimate Devotion is about Jims wife and their love of bondage, confirmed by his wife. 3. I'm fairly certain all of Strung Out's work prior to Transmission Alpha Delta was in drop D tuning, something to keep in mind for future videos. 4. Twisted was the first album that Jake and Rob shared 'lead' guitar duties, prior to this Rob did all the soloing on the albums. From here forward it was seemingly a fairly even split, both writing and playing.
jclaeys80
2025-11-03 12:49:39 +0000 UTCWatching you review some of my old faves, gives me the feeling of listening to it for the first time again 😍
Andrew Powell
2025-11-03 05:54:28 +0000 UTCGreat idea--would really enjoy that too
Ray Dweck
2025-11-03 05:52:47 +0000 UTCThis album is my most played over the past 30ish years. Cool to hear the breakdown and reaction here. Mark, they close every live show with Matchbook for the past 25+ years, so yeah there is something about that one. Keep up the great vibes!
Drew Coryer
2025-11-03 04:34:42 +0000 UTCEsteem Driven Engine
Drew Coryer
2025-11-03 04:32:33 +0000 UTCWhat Pulley album should we start Mark off with?
Jason Mack
2025-11-03 02:13:26 +0000 UTCBHOLA is a killer record! Orchid still melts my face
Cam
2025-11-03 02:04:25 +0000 UTCEnjoyed the reaction! Thanks for all the work put in 🙏 Glad to see you are up for more Strung Out albums also. Could see "Transmission.Alpha.Delta" or "Exile in Oblivion" going next with all the support for them, but the albums I like best overall by these guys are their even earlier ones than Twisted lol. "Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues" and "Another Day in Paradise" are more melodic skate punk but still with the chuggy, metal-toned guitars. That's the sweet spot for me lol (as far as this band). But they have good songs on about every album imo and continue to vary it up with the heavier and more melodic tracks as you see on Twisted. Also, yeah, Jason wrings a lot of emotion out of his voice. Their song "Calling" (off of Blackhawks Over Los Angeles) is the first I ever heard by them and what immediately grabbed me and got me listening on repeat was his vocals. Their "Live in a Dive" album as someone else mentioned is also really good--the band brings a lot of energy and is tight. And you can hear Jason on there delivering what feels like a specially captured studio take of a vocal, in terms of the concentrated emotion but also spot-on delivery of it, live. The performance of "Ultimate Devotion" from Twisted on there is a great example imo.
Ray Dweck
2025-11-03 01:31:39 +0000 UTCI have to say that I'm always a bit sad that An American Paradox and Elements of Sonic Defiance don't get more props. They both contain incredible prog-noise-punk moments that are unmatched by any band. I hope Mark gets to all the albums,. I'd go so far as to say that my personal favorite is Blackhawks over Los Angeles, which I hardly ever see anyone mention. Don't get me wrong, I also love me some Exile and Transmission, but I'd really love to hear Mark's take on Unkoil, The Kids, Razorblade, or literally anything from BHOLA.
Drums McGee
2025-11-02 20:26:18 +0000 UTCThis was my second Strung Out album, after The Element of Sonic Defiance (bought that first because it was the only Strung Out CD my local music store had). Got it because I knew Mind of My Own from a MotoXXX DVD. Absolutely love this album so much, and it was great seeing you enjoy it so much as well.
Chris M
2025-11-02 13:48:11 +0000 UTCI watched an interview Jake did at the beginning of the year and he said in Twisted he started playing more lead. Him and Rob kind took turns in the albums that followed.
Mariana
2025-11-02 13:07:48 +0000 UTCyes, all of these songs are in D standard although some don't use the low D or D#. so, one could play those in standard tuning. this really screwed with me as a new bassist trying to figure these songs out by ear while i was in the wrong tuning for it
phenburz
2025-11-02 13:04:05 +0000 UTCI was a member of the SO forum/message board years ago. Someone mentioned it was Jason reading from a medical journal. I THINK describing symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. No idea what the link to the song was!
Gary Collington
2025-11-02 11:00:14 +0000 UTCThere’s two different versions of the Matchbook ending! I never heard this long fade-out version before and thought I was losing it until I found the CD version from my memory (in 1998, the voice came back and bit you in the eardrum with “weakness in the wrist, hands, especially during sleep—“), which is also found on Apple with the same artwork as this version. …I’m still not sure if both were released in the same year (1998) in alternate region versions or if the one you played and commented on here is solely from the 2014 reissue? Either way, brilliant commentary and your focus on the vocals was a most welcome perk! Rich with insight as always. :)
Corey Rademaker
2025-11-02 07:01:10 +0000 UTCTo answer some of your questions. Yes Jason does all of Strung Out's vocals, with Rob doing background vocals. You will hear his diversity even more on other albums. Also Rob plays a large portion of the lead work and has some of the sickest harmonic fills live, but I wouldn't label Jake a rhythm guitarist as he shreds as good as anyone. At least 95% of their catalog is tuned DGCFAD, including all of TBD. And yes even live Jim attacked the bass like it owed him money. I've seen him play both with a pick and fingers but I'm not sure what he preferred as the limited footage of him in the band is hard to see.
Tim
2025-11-02 01:13:22 +0000 UTCGreat job again, Mark! But now here's a silly idea! How about during these "I thought it's going to.."-moments you'd actually just play it out like you thought? I'd personally like to hear your take on these too, but surely still no credits tho... :)
Murkku
2025-11-02 01:11:18 +0000 UTCIt doesn't happen often, so don't take this as a complaint, but every now and then there is a song that I hope you don't play along to and just listen to intently because of how hard the song hits. Matchbook is one of those songs. A lot of twists and turns within a short period of time and it's so smooth you barely even notice it's there. That song is probably top 5 all time songs for me (and I think most anyone into punk who heard that song back in the day agrees). Loved the video! I'm super happy you got around to this one. A very clutch CD in any 90's punk fans eyes.
Ceej
2025-11-02 00:02:39 +0000 UTCMark, I'm curious if you picked up on the spoken word bit at the end of matchbook? It probably took me about 10 listens before I realized it was even there, and I still have no idea what is being said there...
Chris J
2025-11-01 23:21:21 +0000 UTCThis album is always worth several listens! There's so much going on. I remember listening to this CD pretty regularly and every so often I'd be listening to a part and hear something new that kinda blended into the background on the first few listens.
Chris J
2025-11-01 23:20:19 +0000 UTCBrilliant album. Matchbook is my go to when the black dog hits. Jason nails it.
Conor s
2025-11-01 23:12:46 +0000 UTC"Paperwalls" is my favourite song on the album, so I was really happy to see the song fascinating Mark so much (and seeming to stump him a bit in that bass-highlighting part as he tried to figure it out with some difficulty). Thanks so much for giving that song some extra attention. It's definitely one of the first songs to get me into Strung Out.
Quote Unquote Sir
2025-11-01 22:40:55 +0000 UTCThank you so much for this vifeo!
Robert Carroll
2025-11-01 22:15:14 +0000 UTCGreat review, I used to listen to this album when it came out and sometimes I would put it on again but never a favorite. I guess you opened my ears up in the way the album deserves. I’ve heard all the Strung Out albums and the singing on this by Jason (yes he sings everything) is probably the best along with Exile in Oblivion. The first three albums are definitely my favorites. Their first album is fucking incredible for a debut album, tons of metal riffing. Know you’re not a drummer but funny you didn’t mention anything about it. Jordan Burns is definitely one of the best to ever do it in this genre along with Derrick Plourde and is absolute brilliant. Anyways, even though SO is not my favorite band this might be one of the best full albums you’ve done. ❤️
Daniel Eriksson
2025-11-01 19:16:51 +0000 UTCI know you don't usually do this but I'd love for you to make your way to doing Strung Out's "Live in a Dive" album
Chris P
2025-11-01 19:05:55 +0000 UTCIf you like the 4 Jim Cherry written songs on this album, Zero Down has a whole album of his songs. I wish so much that Zero Down got to make more music. And Fun Fact: Zero Down added Shawn Dewey, Lagwagon’s guitarist of their first 3 albums, to the lineup right before they were set to start recording their 2nd album. Would’ve been so cool.
Zack
2025-11-01 17:24:42 +0000 UTCMy Strung Out story is this: The second time I saw them live, they were the middle band on a bill with the Vandals headlining and Blink 182 opening. The time period is clearly marked because Blink had just been forced to add the 182. The copy of Cheshire Cat I bought a few months before the show said Blink and the copies they were selling at the show had the added 182. I was so confused, is this a different album? Anyway, Mark Hoppus broke a string and didn’t have any more so Jim handed Mark his bass. Jim had this big, brand new cow 🐄 decal on his bass and Mark, being a pick player completely scratched it up during their set. When Strung Out went on Jim would not stop bitching about the decal and making fun of Mark for using a pick. He was so pissed of their entire set.
Aukai Ligairi
2025-11-01 16:55:42 +0000 UTCSo, is it just me or was Jim Cherry mainly a finger player? I had a personal experience that cemented him as a finger player in my mind, but maybe that was only early on.
Aukai Ligairi
2025-11-01 16:50:26 +0000 UTCLong comments: 1) It's hard to overstate how big Twisted by Design was in the punk world at that time. It was released in the prime of the punk revival, it hit differently than anything else out there in the punk scene, but it still road the railing of the "Fat Wreck" sound, so it was entirely accessible to everyone. When I was in my short-lived, go-nowhere band in college, my guitarist would play the intro to Too Close To See *all the time*. Strung Out was my drummer's favorite band. I loved just playing the simple bass line to Ultimate Devotion, since it was such a killer song. I think there's a lot of people that still ride high on nostalgia on TbD. It was a perfect album (in my opinion obviously). 2) TbD is the correct album to start your Strung Out journey for the reasons I talked about above. You need the foundation of this album before you go any further. @Mark I believe I'm understanding your tastes more. You enjoy songs that are more discordant, a bit darker, a bit heavier. You like your minor keys. For that reason, I was truly waiting to see your reaction to songs like "Reason to Believe". This song features all of those bits. TbD was their last album to feature a majority of songs with that upbeat "Fat Wreck" sound. They really pushed darker, heavier, harder tones from their next album ("An American Paradox") and forward. So many songs feature incredible instrumental work. I really want you to try and hit some of these albums in the future, because I just think you'll love them musically. 3) Speaking about "Reason to Believe", I have a core memory with this song. I attended the University of Missouri in the early 2000s. Somewhere towards the end, I took a video editing course. One of my assignments was to create a musical soundtrack for a movie trailer. That movie trailer was a lucha libre film called "Mil Máscaras vs. the Aztec Mummy": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoCT1ro7pQE The movie was filmed on campus, and one of the computer science professors even acted in it. I used "Reason to Believe" as my foundation song throughout the trailer, and it honestly worked perfectly. I wish I still had that video - it is fully lost to time. I remember trying to finish the damn thing last minute in a computer lab while there was a December blizzard going on outside. I think I got an A. lol That song is imprinted on my brain, just because of how many time I listened to it repeatedly over and over.
CM
2025-11-01 16:15:49 +0000 UTC1998 was a great year ...
Gordie Shoemaker
2025-11-01 16:07:02 +0000 UTCMost of strung outs stuff is a full step down. Not sure if this album is but I know most of American paradox forward is.
J Reid
2025-11-01 16:04:10 +0000 UTCAbout the bass sound, the first 3 strung out albums were remastered and reissued in 2014 and it's these versions that are on Spotify. e:
Mihael Dreo
2025-11-01 15:59:15 +0000 UTCyeah, it’s all Jason. Great voice, great writer, great artist…and he’s hot. It’s not fair.
ryan mcgrath
2025-11-01 15:53:16 +0000 UTCYeah the only version abailable on spotify is a remaster sadly
Alejandro Carrillo
2025-11-01 15:31:51 +0000 UTCWell now I’m curious to know. Please get back to us 😬
Mariana
2025-11-01 15:06:02 +0000 UTCMatchbook is near and dear to every Strung Out fan, this album is incredible as a whole, but so is nearly every SO album
Andrew Wylie
2025-11-01 15:02:40 +0000 UTCMy favourite band of all time. They fuse my love of punk and metal so perfectly, balancing beautiful melodies and crazy riffs. I love this record, but it doesn't crack the top 3 SO albums for me. Excited for you to hear some tunes from Transmission.Alpha.Delta when the time comes!
Cam
2025-11-01 15:00:28 +0000 UTCThe new Exile remix is INCREDIBLE
Cam
2025-11-01 14:57:32 +0000 UTCWell, an album I have never heard finally won so this is a blind listen for me too. Was never big on these guys, but have a feeling it was only because of their metal leaning tendencies, and me hating the metalheads in my HS, cause this was when I was listening to almost nothing but Bad Religion, NoFX, Pennywise, (you get it) exclusively so I had heard a couple songs by these guys but never really came back. Maybe something will click with this album for me.
prdinpdx
2025-11-01 14:52:05 +0000 UTCHe doesn't sing anything?
Hobo Bastard
2025-11-01 14:50:45 +0000 UTCStill watching but had to go find this video and post it here. Chris Aiken doing a play through of Paperwalls https://youtu.be/ECNOQyVj6-A?si=agmfcNVMg3aUrltB
Mariana
2025-11-01 14:48:49 +0000 UTCIs this a remaster or something? Hearing some tiny differences that I don't recognise
Dave Cassells
2025-11-01 14:47:42 +0000 UTCGreat, i was waiting for this. One of my favourite bands. Sad that Jason no longer sings anything. They still manage to put great shows thou
Alejandro Carrillo
2025-11-01 14:21:17 +0000 UTCI was at a show at the VFW in state college around the time of this album strung out, belvedere,project reconnect, and no on 15 I believe, and Jordan the drummer had a broken right foot so he played the entire set left footed & from what I remember didn't miss a fucking beat. That shit blew minds!
Jonah LeFever
2025-11-01 13:50:34 +0000 UTCHehehe. Looks like someone enjoyed themselves a lot. Guess i better start watching/listening.
Mihael Dreo
2025-11-01 13:16:41 +0000 UTCPumped for this. This record and Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues are perfect records of this style and era
Mark C
2025-11-01 13:11:48 +0000 UTCGreat band who always challenge themselves, but stay true to the genre. Amazing live too! You would love Exile in Oblivion.
WARxSKUNK
2025-11-01 13:10:29 +0000 UTC
