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Thought Riot

Shattered Mirror Syndrome
2001
A-F

Thought Riot - Shattered Mirror Syndrome (Cover Artwork)


Review by: BigBang15
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A-F Records (Logo)

Published on January 14th 2003

This has got to be one of my favorite new bands of the year. They have a sounding similar to that of AFI and a little of Anti-Flag together. And, like Anti-Flag these guys like to write political songs. Unlike Anti-Flag (who writes more in depth politics), I feel these guys do a more overview on how they see politics nowadays. They also have some songs just about everyday life too (friends family etc) which I really enjoy as well. I really enjoy the part in song 5 (Sign Of The Times) where at the end they have a little speech from one of the Monty Python series. In other songs they also add little excerpts from movies, which I feel is very splendid (Such as in the song Patriot). The only real problem I have with this band is that as good as they sound, there is nothing very new here. But I feel they excel at what they do, which is just making good thought-provoking music. I have yet to see them live, but I'm sure they put on a hell of a show.

Onto the breakdown of the cd: This Cd starts off great with the song Breaking Old Tablets. This is the way to open a Cd. The song is powerful, energetic and talks about you (the listener) having your own power and self-rights. "The power that flows from within is yours. The power that grows from within is yours. The power is yours."

Next is All For God, And A Gun For All, which is a song about gun usage and the need to stop harming people with guns. This song is very inspiring to stop gun usage.

Encomienda is my favorite song on this disc. Its chorus is just great and it has a sound to it like that of AFI (one of my favorite bands). The song is just great and it will probably bring people into Thought Riot.

My other favorite song from this album is Duality Of The Revolutionary (Song 11), which has a great part in it from the Goonies. From beginning to end this is just a wonderful song.

Not to say the other songs aren’t great, but these were standouts for me. I would suggest a listen from everyone. Especially a listen from those who are fans of AFI, Anti-Flag, or those who just want a refreshing band with some pretty powerful and thought-provocative lyrics.



People who liked this also liked:
Slapstick - DiscographyWipers - Box SetSatanic Surfers - Going Nowhere FastSnuff - Tweet Tweet My LovelyJ Church - One MississippiWhiskey and Co. - Whiskey & Co.Disrupt - Unrest [reissue]The Weakerthans - Left and LeavingDiscount - Ataxia's Alright TonightToken Entry - Jaybird / Weight of the World



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    Posted by biss22csu on 2004-09-29 17:29:34
    My Score:

    Fucking RIGHT ON...more bands like this are needed...

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 at 1:39 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i think he meant that anti-flag's lyrics are more specific, while thought riot's are more of generalization. i could be totally wrong.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 20, 2003 at 1:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Ohhhhh look at me, I made the TR fansite | http://www.thoughtriot.net

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 20, 2003 at 4:45 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Thought Riot is great.... not only are they are a great band but really nice guys (& girl) and we had a fucking great time playing with them in Denver....
    www.nothingtoprovepunk.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 12:16 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Thought riot write the most intelligent lyrics and marcs singing has good range. Thought riot in my opinion are at the top of socio-political(?) punk rock.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 17, 2003 at 8:15 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Yeah, this band is great. With Pipedown, they are two of the best A-F bands, and I totally see where you hear that AFI-likeness, especially on that fourth song. The last song, to me is the absolute best, but the entire disc is worthy of repeated play. I'm happy someone reviewed this disc.
    As for the sound quality brought up by someone, I think it's cool (and sounds better) when it's not overly-produced and polished. I don't know if anyone else feels that way, like I think Bad Religion's How Could Hell Be Any Worse and 80-85 are the best. Raw and a little messy.
    -Janelle

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 9:31 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    What the hell do you mean when you said Anti-Flag write in-depth political songs? Anti-Flag are about as deep as the third grade songs they sing

    -bemused-

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 5:46 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    My band opened for these guys, they are really cool. Kelly Dangerously's backing vocals on A Gun For All are sick! Marc sounds just like Davey throughout much of the cd and a lot of the backing vocals are very AFIish, but it is all really good stuff. I think they may release a new album this year.....

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-01-15 17:05:04
    My Score:

    Solid band, maybe Im crazy or something, but I really don't see that obvious of an AFI influence...

    Posted by TenderBransonX on 2003-01-15 14:40:03
    My Score:

    These guys were great on the on the moblize tour and this cd did not dissapoint me. I agree that's its not anything that new but it is good solid stuff. This is a fairly young band and I would not be surprised to see them release a album that could really make an impact in the future.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 2:19 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "(they changed him now)"

    into what?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 9:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i haven't heard the full cd but the shitty thing is that their drummer fucking sucked!!! definitely the weakest part of the band, but the rest is good (they changed him now)

    Posted by Obscene_Jesture on 2003-01-14 20:27:10
    My Score:

    Yah the sound is a bit trashy, if this had been recorded better, it would have sounded a lot better. I am sure in the future this band will only progress and get better with time. One of the best bands on A-F Records (besides Pipedown) in my opinion.

    Posted by Obscene_Jesture on 2003-01-14 20:25:32
    My Score:

    Damn I was going to put up a review for this band today and I see this! Great review.

    Take away the Goth-like lyrics, and the "Mascara-clad teenage heartthrob" [Rollingstone..haha] and replace it with some political messages, and you end up with a sound similar to AFIs older music. If AFI's newer gothic music isnt doing it for you, and you dont like Davey's strange obsession with looking like Marilyn Manson, check these guys out if you want some kick ass hardcore.

    Posted by punky on 2003-01-14 20:21:39
    My Score:

    A good mix of AFI and Anti-Flag, with a bit trashy sound and great lyrics.

    Posted by Hubitcherkokov on 2003-01-14 15:28:09
    My Score:

    Thought Riot kicks ass!

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