reviewed by: Pete
So it appears a new Bad Religion record has exploded from wherever it is that ridiculously rocking albums explode from. I, for one, would like to present the theory that Bad Religion albums are genetically engineered by Mr. Brett and Greg Graffin to chemically include the most excitement per minute. But maybe they just record it in a studio like every other band.
After stumbling on No Substance and New America, Greg, Brett, Brian, Jay, Greg and Brooks have releases three fist pounding records. Almost as if they wanted us to forget the Atlantic days...
This new release starts off with yet another overture type, 52 Seconds, but quite honestly nothing can touch the overture slamming right into Sinister Rogue from 2004's The Empire Strikes First. Nevertheless jumping right into the action is Heroes and Martyrs which has every element of a perfect Bad Religion song, and it does not disappoint. The next 4 track blow the roof off of wherever you might be enjoying this record. Particularly the soaring chorus in New Dark Ages, and the unreasonably exciting backing "ooozzin ahhhs" and "heys"and "requiem" from Requiem for Dissent.
Losing its footing momentarily, the album offers Honest Goodbye which falls pretty flat. But never fear, Dearly Beloved has the cure for any ailment its preceding track causes.
Never again losing its momentum the album rockets on for 8 more tracks. And not a bad one amongst them. Grains of Wrath has the harmonizing chorus we have all grown to love, as well as a pretty kick ass guitar solo from one of the three guitar geniuses present. Mr. Graffin's vocals are a focal point on the slightly subdued Lost Pilgrim. And keeping with the tradition from the last three records the album comes to a close with an epic song, Fields of Mars, but this time there is a piano (!) and it opens with a certified face melting lead line, again courtesy of one of the guitar folks.
Bad Religion cannot be stopped. For my money one of the absolute greatest bands of all time. Having gone through several line-up shifts over the years, this incarnation seems to be the best. Graffin and Mr. Brett's songwriting collaborations are spot on. Having been a band for almost 30 years its is certainly noteworthy that these graying punk rockers still maintain social relevance. They manage to channel the anger of their generation and still stay in touch with the youth of today. Blazing indictments of the government are abound as well as accusations thrown liberally at society, as if to scream "it will only change if you want it to!!!"
A huge contributor to their recent records excellence is drummer Brooks Wackerman. Hands down the best punk drummer out there. He has no fear about going for anything and seems completely at home playing with the band.
Of course rounding out their sound is Gret Hetson, Brian Baker, and Jay Bently. Excellent musicians. I look forward to Bad Religion's future releases. And as we have learned in the past even if they release 2 shitty records in a row, they will only come back twice as hard the next time. I think that as long as there is evil in the world Bad Religion will be here to help us combat it. Or at least write a freakin awesome song with kick ass drum and guitar parts, oh year, and some vocal harmony.
Yeah, so what if I'm giving this record 4 stars??? I challenge you to write and record a better album. I suppose one day I will review another CD that I give a bad review (please see our review of the new Coheed and Cambria album...BOO!!!) but where is the fun in that?
Long Live Bad Religion.
No comments:
Post a Comment