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Four Year Strong “Explains It All” CD Review

By: Craig Johnson with Kayley Guyette

When we think about the 90’s, for those of us who experienced it, many things stick out and remind us as the decade that shaped much of who we are today. TV shows like Bevis and Butthead and old school MTV, from cartoons like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ren and Stimpy. Also, the little things like the original Game Boy, and yes, VHS Movies. But when we look back at all these great things from that time, there’s one thing that missing, all the songs you hear now that take you back to the 90’s, the songs we all knew and loved. Four Year Strong has successfully made an album that when I listen to it I am taken back to the 90’s with every single song. The only difference is Clarissa isn’t doing the explaining this time.

The album starts out with So Much For The Afterglow originally by Everclear. A great opener to the album and definitely gets people into it whether they were a fan of the song or not. As the second track starts everyone starts singing along. I’m almost positive EVERYONE from the 90’s knew the song Absolutely (Story Of A Girl) originally by Nine Days. As the flashback to the 90’s continues Ironic by Alanis Morrissette starts up.

After a tasteful cover of Ironic, which wasn’t originally going to be on the album, “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”, originally by The Smashing Pumpkins is next. The song stays true to The Pumpkins while adding in that hint of Four Year Strong. Personally, if not knowing the origins of the song one could assume the track belonged on Rise Or Die Trying.

The cover of Third Eye Blinds Semi-Charmed Life is far out of Four Year Strong’s style. The song has more of a rap feel that any song on the entire album. But FYS does a great job at keeping the song close to the original. But the added in “hardcore screams” refreshes this 90’s classic. The cover of Spiderwebs, has perfect timing with No Doubt being out on their reunion tour. It is weird to hear the song without Gwen’s vocals, once again Four Year Strong keeps true to it. Until they surprise you with the break down at the end, a very FYS move there.

Track seven is Roll To Me by Del Amitri. It isn’t into the vocals start up that I recognize the song. This cover is exactly the type of song that will get kids pushing through the crowd to the front. And if you’re not at a show, it’s the perfect song to drive to. Fly by Sugar Ray is the next song covered and it features Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes. Only Four Year Strong could cover Fly this well and mix in Travis McCoy to make it even better. This maybe my favorite song off the album.

As the cover of In Bloom originally by Nirvana comes on, it’s a song I’ve heard so, so many times and as I sing along I can’t believe that Four Year Strong as done this well with a cover album. She Really Loved You by Reach The Sky takes the spot as track ten. The song is once again tastefully covered and fun to listen to. As the album comes to a close, it has us all singing “Cause she’s so highhhhhhh!” from She’s So High by Tal Bachman and an amazing way to end a tribute to the decade that not only helped raise the members of Four Year Strong, but me as well.