Wish for Eden had the distinction of being the first out of the block for Tooth & Nail Records, and they set the tone for all that was to come. They were big, loud, and unlike anything else in the Christian market. They disbanded shortly after that record released, but front-man Rob Walker is back with a follow-up. It's still big. It's still loud. Fans of Helmet will still rejoice.
The major gripe against Wish for Eden's Pet The Fish was that it sounded the same from start to finish. That is not the case here. Walker's writing is still essentially groove-based power chords, but he's tried a few new things. On tracks like "Scared Little Man," he shows he can turn things down a little bit without losing the intensity, while tracks like "Grow" experiment with liquid-sounding guitar effects.
Another difference between this record and the last is the focus upon God. When Wish for Eden mentioned God, it was only in a vague, indirect way. That's changed radically with Strobe. A lack of lyrics in the liner notes (or liner notes, period) makes it difficult to quote, so you'll have to trust me when I say that Walker is bold and up front about his faith throughout. "Down" shouts out clearly:
I was lost but now I'm found Freedom from what tore me down Satan, Satan Satan, you can't have me No I'm down on my knees again Down in the mud again I'm down on my knees again Praying for peace again
It took a while for this one to finally release, but it was worth the wait.
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