Strangler Days by Middle Class Rut: A Raw, Unfiltered Punch to the Eardrums
If you’re into music that feels like it was born in a garage but has enough grit and soul to fill an arena, Strangler Days might just be your next obsession. Released in 2017 by Sacramento’s own Middle Class Rut, this album is a no-frills dive into Alternative Rock with a capital "R." It's raw, unpolished, and dripping with attitude—kinda like that one friend who shows up late to parties but still steals the show.
Let’s talk tracks, shall we? The opening number, “Day In Day Out” (or is it “Day in, Day Out”? Who knows with these guys), kicks things off with a punchy guitar riff and vocals that sound like they were recorded after one too many cups of coffee. It’s catchy as hell, though. You’ll find yourself humming it while stuck in traffic or pretending to listen during Zoom meetings. There’s something about its relentless energy that sticks to your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk. Is it deep? Nah. But sometimes you don’t need depth—you just need a tune that makes you want to stomp around the room like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
Then there’s “Swimmin’ Outta LA,” which I’m pretty sure should come with a warning label for anyone prone to existential crises. This track hits different—it’s got this moody vibe that sneaks up on you like a cat in the dark. One minute you’re vibing, the next you’re staring out the window wondering if life is just one big cosmic joke. The lyrics are cryptic enough to make you feel smart for deciphering them, but vague enough to let you project your own drama onto them. Perfect breakup song material, if you ask me.
Now, full disclosure: not every track on Strangler Days blew my socks off. Some songs blend together like mismatched paint colors at the back of your art supply drawer. But hey, isn’t that part of the charm? This isn’t some overproduced pop masterpiece designed to dominate Spotify playlists. It’s real, messy, and human—like a musical diary entry scribbled in pen during a particularly wild week.
Middle Class Rut didn’t reinvent the wheel with this album, but they didn’t have to. What they did do was create something honest and unapologetically themselves. And honestly? That’s refreshing in a world where most music sounds like it came straight out of a factory assembly line.
So, would I recommend Strangler Days? Absolutely—if you’re cool with imperfections and enjoy music that feels more like a conversation than a performance. Just don’t blame me when “Day In Day Out” gets stuck in your head for three days straight. Oh, and here’s a random thought to leave you with: why does everyone spell WWW three times instead of just once? Food for thought.
