Album Review: Stranded By Choice – Lost By Design (Self Released)

Montana based hard rock quartet Stranded By Choice are back with their third studio album ‘Lost By Design’ which is set for release August 28th 2020.

Says Rich Feeley, (singer/bass):

We had no sort of time crunch when making this album and that allowed us to really take a step back and get a clear vision of what we wanted to achieve. We recorded most of the songs as demos first then made changes and refined them before the actual tracking. By doing that we let the song grow and develop naturally instead of just forcing out ideas. As a result I think we’ve achieved our most creative and authentic album yet.

With a ton of attitude, Stranded By Choice come out of the gates with some serious hard rock swagger. The riffs are flying like fur in a cat dust-up, with about as much energy expended too. There’s no winner, both Stranded By Choice and us emerge that little bit battered and bruised. All this just from the opener, Like the Dark.

Such a kick-ass start needs an even ‘kick-assier’ follow-up and Stranded By Choice make sure they deliver with Perfect Enemy. The contrast in vocals, the frenzied solo and rhythmic drum beat are the stuff rock dreams are made of.

The very short and dusty psych sound of Bloody Rare is unexpected, yet interesting before the heavier groove returns for the foot-tapper that is Groundhog. Brick and Block gets the body shaking and moving with a hell of a danceable number before a bit more of a melodious edge is shown with Downtown Again.

Stranded By Choice are at their best when they’re showing off their vigour though and once again it’s the likes of Big Britches that shine the most.

Another odd intermission with the chimes and eerie effects of The Triangle leads into the endgame. Where a fiery La Bazuka leads the assault, Time of Passing is half reflective melody and half chunky rock fuckery and Stone Alone ends things in grand and groove-tastic style. A very classy closer.

Stranded By Choice – Lost By Design Full Track Listing:

1. Like the Dark
2. Perfect Enemy
3. Bloody Rare
4. Groundhog
5. Brick and Block (Feat. Mike Hodsall)
6. Downtown Again
7. Big Britches
8. The Triangle
9. La Bazuca
10. Time of Passing
11. Stone Alone

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