Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 


Reviews



Against Me!

As The Eternal Cowboy
2003
Fat Wreck Chords

Against Me! - As The Eternal Cowboy (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Andy
See others by this writer


Against Me! (link)

Only registered users
can post comments


Print this Review Send this Review to a Friend
Fat Wreck Chords (Logo)

Published on November 7th 2003

If six strings ever had a chance to liberate – this is it.

With 6 cylinders of sweat drenched aggression Against Me! delivers the most pivotal release since “London Calling” and, therein lies its importance: uncompromised progress. By straying from their solitarily acoustic roots, much as Strummer strayed from his mold, Against Me!’s musical step forward is going to disenfranchise a few with its unparalleled progress. Essentially, this will serve as the transition chapter of a musical trilogy. There is already the amazing beginning (self-titled 7” and Crime 7”), and now with The Eternal Cowboy there is an amazing middle, perhaps the future holds a closing chapter that will transcend all the others.

As a band, the most flattering quality of Against Me! is that they aren’t preaching from a high plateau. Rather, they are in the trenches with us. With this release you get the feeling that you’re plotting the revolution with them, as opposed to numbly following along. Despite their musical reach, they still feel romantically close; almost like something that is too good to let go. But, with The Eternal Cowboy, the wolves are set free.

Musically, Against Me! rises above labeling; ‘folk’, ‘punk’, and ‘rock’ all fit. Quintessentially they are music: pure emotion with a beat. Perhaps Best Buy has it right when they call them “pop”, as in popular, as in you can throw away your Good Charlotte CD and join the revolution. As painful as it may be, this music is too urgent to not be heard. And, with any luck it won’t go unheard.



People who liked this also liked:
Against Me! - is Reinventing Axl RoseThe Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!Against Me! - Searching For A Former ClarityThe Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever ToldAlkaline Trio - GoddamnitThe Clash - London CallingOperation Ivy - Operation IvyNOFX - The DeclineThe Lawrence Arms - Apathy and ExhaustionRefused - The Shape of Punk to Come



Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

    Posted by AlexpunkFL on 2009-10-27 15:57:35

    As the eternal cowboy is good enough to base my life upon.

    Posted by ifgabeldiesiwilldie on 2009-02-05 17:20:16
    My Score:

    man i lied i just absolutly love this album fuck the acoustic fuck RAR fuck everything else this is the bomb

    Posted by dd416 on 2009-02-04 15:42:52
    My Score:

    This is a great album. I still have problems deciding if I like or Reinventing better. Problems. No pun intended.

    Posted by SouthernLovin on 2009-02-04 12:31:12
    My Score:

    Fuck the implications, it's my favorite AM! release, and one of my all-time favorite records.

    Posted by ifgabeldiesiwilldie on 2008-12-31 21:57:55

    wait if this album is 10/10 what is the acoustic ep 100/10?

    Posted by Filbunke on 2008-12-23 14:40:46
    My Score:

    I love this album! Remember when it first came out.. I think I listened to it six times in a row the first day. Blew me away!

    Posted by erff on 2008-05-21 14:42:28
    My Score:

    its a pretty good album, but definitely not 5 stars good.

    Posted by scientistrock on 2008-05-10 18:16:52

    This review is quite prophetic. That is all.

    Posted by TommyPickles on 2008-04-04 22:45:26
    My Score:

    Not my favorite Against Me album but it's still pretty fucking good.

    Posted by Cire on 2008-01-06 01:28:06
    My Score:

    I don't really like how clean the vocals are on here. It ruins the album for me.

    Posted by CobraSkullsFan on 2007-12-13 23:58:24
    My Score:

    you guys can dump on my chest. one of my favorite AM! records, but not amongst the best rock records of all time.

    Posted by benz on 2007-04-28 03:18:43

    "As painful as it may be, this music is too urgent to not be heard."

    What does this sentence mean?

    Posted by ABedForLiars on 2006-09-02 16:15:49
    My Score:

    I am in love with this album. Against Me! is one of the greatest band of all time. I love how they bring all these musical influences together. They don't care what anyone thinks and they shouldn't. This is punk rock at it's best.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 4:39 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i dont own this n havent heard any of it...
    but i hate it
    simply for the reason that it appears at th bottom of my screan for pretty much every review i read on this site
    tho someone did have a very good diea of removing his head it still pisses me off

    Posted by nikko on 2006-07-06 12:34:47
    My Score:

    I definitly see how they sound like the clash..especially on this album but dont be stupid and call it the next london calling. It's a good album but not that good.

    Posted by peaceonmars on 2006-06-08 20:50:59

    I love this album!
    But, my friend saw them with Alkaline Trio recently and all they played was new shit. So that sucks.

    Posted by TIGHT on 2006-05-23 22:01:39
    My Score:

    Definitely an excellent album

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 1:34 AM (EST)

    I'm really sorry but i had to chime in, because there is alot of nonsence and i can talk some nonsence. First, the album, because that is why people are reading this shit. I'm no hard core AM fan or anything, but this album is simply just an easier listen than RAR. I think i do agree that RAR is a better album, but it's hard to jump right into it. But i like simply think the album is good. A better start for new fans. Now, The Clash. There is alot of the clash's music that i havn't heard and i couldn't tell you what songs are on what albums. The clash have some really good songs, such as white riot but they aslo have some very poor songs. There are much better "punk" bands out there. If you are looking for older stuff, i would sugest Stiff Little Fingers, or the Buzzcocks. As far as newer things, just as good or even better than anything by AM, try the lawrence arms, and none more black. I really doubt that AM are anarchists as some say. I believe i saw one of thier videos on cable, which just seems like something anarcists would frown on. ok i'm bored.

    Posted by warningdevice on 2005-12-22 23:45:36
    My Score:

    As the first track indicates... THIS SHIT RULES!

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 4:10 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    First of all I love this god damn record. And whoever said that it would be better without sink, florida, sink needs a helmet.
    My next point is for everyone who bitches about anything they don't consider to be "punk" attached to the "punk" label. The whole fucking idea of punk is dead anyway (sure there is some good punk music out there, but the fight is fucking over). So what's the point in arguing over a word that is now meaningless as far as its original context is concerned? I sense bitterness stemming from the realization that your lives of devotion to a god damn brand are all for naught. You know what's NOT "punk"? Trying to justify your actions and preferences as punk...who cares?? Also, who cares if fucking tom gabel squatted for a while? Your attraction to music should be based on THE MUSIC not what the fucking singer did before he got signed. I am aware that this may just be senseless banter falling on deaf ears but that seems to be a major theme in this stream. peace.
    P.S. to that fucker who had an aneurism on account of an outkast cover and girls in bikinis: you may have been better off unloading your shit and rubbing one out while they danced than taking it up with everyone here. now get the hell outta here i've got booze.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 23, 2005 at 10:15 AM (EDT)

    Against Me! kicked ass with ALL of their early 7 inches, Reinventing Axl Rose, Eternal Cowboy, Disco Before The Breakdown, and everything else they've done. Also, Searching for a Former Clarity is an amazing album. These guys make great noise that is really fun to listen to and very catchy. A lot of people bitch about the "change" in their sound. I prefer to call it a 'development'. I mean, would they be as good if the songs on their new records sounded exactly like the stuff on their first???? I think not. I think development is crucial to a band's success and these guys have yet to do wrong in my book. cheers. PRJ

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 1, 2005 at 11:31 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is some of the most original music written in today's over-produced, corporate-fabricated, black nail poish/mascara wearing era of shit they call music today. This music is real and will be around for a long time. To all you morons listed below: You can like more than one band and FEEL how they have been influenced by some of those you all listed. It is not impossible for bands to hear something they like and BUILD upon it. If any of you even know how play an instument (not other band's songs) or have ever written a verse in your life, you will understand where I am coming from.

    Posted by tapam4182 on 2004-11-14 23:21:23
    My Score:

    this is a good album, I'd have to say not exactly their best, but with the new record label and all, it does still have that good vibe coming from the songs... it just sounds a little too... "clean." this album is great though

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 8, 2004 at 5:38 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "This band is to the Clash as Good Charlotte are to the Ramones. You can put them in the same sentence, but you can't put them on the same playing field."

    youre thinking of rancid.

    nah the guy was right

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 6, 2004 at 12:45 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    What i don't understand is where anyone is comparing this band to the pogues, dropkick murphy's, the clash, or any of the above or alike. The comments almost seem to come with disappointment that Against Me! has a unique sound to what is considered "punk rock" today. their folk influence (which is not the same as the pogues, dropkick murphy's, tossers, or flogging molly...all of whose influences stem from inner city irish pub rock) and lack of heavy distortion is what makes this band something special. They are simplistically complicated, intricate, and extremely amazing song writers. Trying to compare them to any of those bands listed is retarded.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 2:27 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this shit rules......how true

    Posted by baaadkitty666 on 2004-05-31 18:26:59
    My Score:

    I really love Against me with all my heat... lol... but i found this album quite disappointing compare to the rest. I do enjoy it, but it was not as good as their others. But Much Love To Against Me! anyways.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 5:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This CD is really good. I love it a lot because the songs are meaningfull and energetic. Although, the downside is that these songs are pretty short. So if your more into quantity instead of quality you may be shocked or dissapointed at this. But for me i'm all for it. If you liked this CD i'd advise you to get "Reinventing Axl Rose" also (it's on No Idea! Records). The singer is really cool too, because he has a cool raspy sound to his voice. Overall, a good action-packed album.

    Posted by magnificent7 on 2004-04-15 05:43:10
    My Score:

    Can someone explain where all the clash references come from, the bands sound nothing like each other, im a huge clash fan and the only possible album that sounds similar is give em' enough rope! It is nothing lke london calling, it sounds very different and london calling is so much better.

    Posted by magnificent7 on 2004-04-15 05:43:10
    My Score:

    Can someone explain where all the clash references come from, the bands sound nothing like each other, im a huge clash fan and the only possible album that sounds similar is give em' enough rope! It is nothing lke london calling, it sounds very different and london calling is so much better.

    Posted by magnificent7 on 2004-04-15 05:40:44
    My Score:

    I admit this album is good, very good infact. We have had plenty of neo emo screamo shoved down our throats recently, but this band is like a breath of thresh air. The album is a bit short ,and some of the songs are a tad samey but apart from that, its great.

    Posted by Sciulli on 2004-03-24 14:05:43
    My Score:

    Dillinger Four and Against Me are keeping punk rock alive.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 at 8:33 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    First off, a mall punk would not be listening to the clash. It has been over a year since Strummer died it just isnt that cool anymore, they would rather listen to afi. Secondly this album is gold. just amazing, it is definetly different from flogging molly dropkick murphys and swinging utters. DKM and flogging molly have to much irish in them, and well they just dont sound like swinging utters. Finally it pales in comparison to the first clash album and london calling but gives give em enough rope a run for its money.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 16, 2004 at 7:47 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Okay first off, all the trendy mall punks out there need to take Joe Strummer's decaying cock out of their mouth long enough to actually listen to the album first before bashing it, no it isn't "London Calling." But it's still a good cd on it's own. The reviewer fucked up by even mentioning the Clash, because posers will jump all over it like stink on shit

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 12, 2004 at 4:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Not bad, not bad at all. Not the greatest album I've heard, but I can see and hear the folk influence. Nothing like DKM, Swinging Utters or Flogging Molly though (BTW, the Pogues called, they want you three to stop, now). Like another Fat band, None More Black, definitely a better band to see live.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 14, 2003 at 5:05 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Ahh damn 2x post.......

    -c22

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 14, 2003 at 5:04 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This review is way beyond awful. "You Look Like I Need A Drink", and "Rice and Bread" are by far the best song on the cd, and the only good songs on the damned thing. I was also a happier person before I heard "Cavalier Eternel", and I'm almost 100% sure they ripped off someone on "Cliche Guevara". Such a fucking disappointment, Reinventing Axl Rose destroys this waste of time.

    -c22

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 14, 2003 at 5:04 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This review is way beyond awful. "You Look Like I Need A Drink", and "Rice and Bread" are by far the best song on the cd, and the only good songs on the damned thing. I was also a happier person before I heard "Cavalier Eternel", and I'm almost 100% sure they ripped off someone on "Cliche Guevara". Such a fucking disappointment, Reinventing Axl Rose destroys this waste of time.

    -c22

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 5:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    by the way, this review is spectacular.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 5:22 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    they sound nothing like swinging utters. they sound nothing like dropkick. there is no clear dead kennedys influence. of course, there's nothing wrong with another's opinion...but you've got to know more about music to be taken seriously.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 4, 2003 at 7:14 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i am truly and deeply hurt that anyone would ever put these guys down. they are one of the most original, and most talented bands in music today, and anyone who sais otherwise is probably lisening to theyre blink 182 cd right before they catch carson daily on mtv. And radiohead does fucking rock

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 28, 2003 at 2:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Swinging Utters called. They want you to stop stinking up their sound.

    This band is easily the most overrated in punk today. The new album is 26 minutes of boring.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 24, 2003 at 4:05 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    They sound nothing like Dropkick.

    That is retarted.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 2:18 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Decent review, but I think this album lacks the drive that reinventing axle rose had towards rebellious sound.

    I would suggest people get that album instead.

    Posted by Jesse on 2003-11-19 10:34:30
    My Score:

    This shit sucks balls. It sounds like angry kids trying to sound like Dropkick Murpheys and Dead Kennedys. Plus, the band name blows.

    Posted by Analog_Boy on 2003-11-17 18:23:35
    My Score:

    " Then I listened to London Calling, and realized that every person who posted about how much better AM is than the Clash is just...wrong."

    Hmm...well anyone who said the alblum is better than london calling was either joking, or retarded. You gotta realize the sarcasm.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 17, 2003 at 4:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Absolutely great album by AM this..their best by far.

    And those who don't like Radiohead:ok. Those who bash Radiohead: you're not music fans; you're fucking trendwhores: just stop commenting on music, you have no fucking clue. Die.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 14, 2003 at 12:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    But much pricier....

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 14, 2003 at 12:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Almost as good as your mother...

    -sickboi

    Posted by blood_brothers_are_good on 2003-11-14 12:12:38
    My Score:

    hey s8r boi, oops i mean sickboi, how's avril?

    Posted by sickboi on 2003-11-13 20:36:37
    My Score:

    Everytime we argue this, I specifically tell you that I UNDERSTAND that some people have no toehr choice, and that I sympathize. My message is to those thinking its cool. What else must I say to get it through your skull?

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 8:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I'm not saying it's rebellion. It's actually the opposite. I was correcting your dumb generalization that squatters are trying to "glorify" their lifestyle... I mean, you try living in a squat, then call someone lazy trash. The truth is it's much harder than actually having a place to stay at night. Try living on the concrete floor of an abandoned factory... Or begging to get by, or working 15 hours just to LIVE. Squatting is NOT easy, and you seem to have some bands' explicit documentation of it mixed up with left wing propaganda...

    -BSD

    Posted by sickboi on 2003-11-13 19:45:27
    My Score:

    See BSD....I have nothing against those attempting to do something....but do you have any clue how many fucking lazy pieces of trash there are that just want to get by doing nothing?

    We've had this argument before, and you can argue the "rebelling against corporate American" all you want, but; I have no degree, I work for a non-profit organization, and I pay rent. I understand that sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, but you can you look me straight in the face and say some of these fucks don't try to glorify it? Din't think so.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 7:27 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "So, kids, tell me what is so cool about squatting and making noise and shit?

    You see, some of us actually WORK, and pay rent or mortgage. Pretty punk, right? Not really, but I take a little fucking pride in paying my own way. I tell ya, if I was trying to get some sleep, and some retarded fucks wanted to bang on shit just to make noise and be "anarchists", I'd punch em right in their anarchist throats.

    -sickboi"

    Idiotic... Someone could easily say "well I take pride in not selling out to corporate America, if I see a punk get a job, I'll punch him in the face!" just like you... Personally, the jobs that MOST of us get can't pay for rent alone... Most of the squatters I know hold one or two low paying jobs. The truth is, most squatters don't do so for "the lifestyle". They do it cos they're poor and are part of the population that will always BE poor, no matter how manny hours they get payed 5 dollars for cleaning up the mess some kids made in the bath room at the 711... And by the way, AM! aren't anarchists, Ithink they're socialists.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 7:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Awesome album. Lame review.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 3:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "ARGLE, ARGLE, ARGLE"....

    This my friends, is the sound of Against Me!'s collective cocks in the mouth of this reviewer...

    -sickboi

    Posted by blood_brothers_are_good on 2003-11-13 13:29:09
    My Score:

    "none of your comments are valid. you all lose scene points for discussing the deeper meaning of punk"

    you lose scene points for discussing who has scene points.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 1:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    you tell it!!!!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 11:36 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    So, kids, tell me what is so cool about squatting and making noise and shit?

    You see, some of us actually WORK, and pay rent or mortgage. Pretty punk, right? Not really, but I take a little fucking pride in paying my own way. I tell ya, if I was trying to get some sleep, and some retarded fucks wanted to bang on shit just to make noise and be "anarchists", I'd punch em right in their anarchist throats.

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 10:44 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    none of your comments are valid. you all lose scene points for discussing the deeper meaning of punk

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 10:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    1) Yes, Against Me! are the real deal. They are real anarchists and the original guitarist and drummer lived in a squat for some time... keeping the locals awake with their screaming and banging on various boxes and bins.

    2) London Calling is GOOD but not AS GOOD as thier second album with songs like, "Safe European Home" but that's another story...

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 10:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Yeah, they're anarchists.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 4:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    call me whatever, but is against me anarchists? im just wondering.

    Posted by vien on 2003-11-12 03:27:32
    My Score:

    "The first time I listened to this record I said Man, this shit is good, but there's no way it could be Against Me!."

    That's what I thought too. After hearing RAR, the singer screamed the hell out of that record, and hearing him harmonize on "As the Eternal Cowboy" kind of surprised me. The lyrics weren't as challenging and as sarcastic as I hoped it would be like RAR, but it was yet a different approach taken by them. It's a decent album I would say.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 12:19 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb. End of story.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 8:33 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    haha i love this. it's the dumbest conversation ever. retracts most of my faith in mankind.

    as for this album, am! has been my favorite band for a while now. while this is a step in a different direction from what made me fall in love with am!, i still think it's a great album. it is more melodic and less raw than their older stuff, but the guitar melodies and tom's incredible voice show that am! is still going very, very strong.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 3:33 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    The first time I listened to this record I said "Man, this shit is good, but there's no way it could be Against Me!." But the more and more I listen to it, the more and more it starts to sound like Against Me!, musically and lyrically.

    Posted by blood_brothers_are_good on 2003-11-11 15:17:20
    My Score:

    the clash = good
    against me = awesome
    AFI = one of the worst bands on the planet? i wouldn't doubt it
    the blood brothers = the king of all that is music

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 2:40 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Look, I read all your comments, and then I decided to walk over to the record store and buy the damn thing. Then I listened to London Calling, and realized that every person who posted about how much better AM is than the Clash is just...wrong.

    PS Radiohead is stupid, AFI is cool, and this record, while decent, is not even close to my top five records of the year.

    PPS. This review blew. That's all.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 2:31 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    The clash sucked, don't drag these guys down to the horribleness of the clash

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 2:02 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    yeah they are good..but the hype is too huge..I don't think they are the best band of the moment, but they sure are talented.

    Posted by samnorth on 2003-11-11 12:20:10
    My Score:

    i don't know if someone has already said this and i'm not going to read all the comments to check, but did the reviewer call this their third release? crime, acoustic, reinventing, disco. and now cowboy. my math says five.

    Posted by hein on 2003-11-10 19:18:00
    My Score:

    Am I the only one who thinks there's a bit of a resemblance with Ann Beretta's sound here?

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 7:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    listen to music

    Posted by Analog_Boy on 2003-11-10 17:40:40
    My Score:

    "1. Masturbating with sand paper; the bood and semen forms a fry sauce looking substance(for those of you outside of Utah, fry sauce is mayonais and ketchup mixed"

    ahh weird...

    that is all.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 5:34 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    What is the big deal? I heard RAR and I thought it was good...but nothing special or anything that really caught my attention. Havent heard this yet, but it can't be as groundbreaking as you people say it is. Best thing since the Clash? The Clash were amazing...and there have been plenty of other amazing bands since then...many bands far more amazing than these guys....I'm not knocking them, but I just need to break the hype down a bit....these guys arent the savior of punk rock....but they are good.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 5:04 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Against Me! delivers the most pivotal release since “London Calling”

    Fuck this comment.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 5:03 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Well it's not all gold :)

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 4:45 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "I just noticed the anti-"Urgh! A Music War" comment. Them's fightin' words. Klaus Nomi alone makes it badass."

    What about the Surf Punks? Hahahaha.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 4:42 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "The Clash had no feelings?"

    Punk music has always been about real emotions, from the start, but the general "attitude" of its followers has always been the whole "no matter who you are I hate you" thing... Kind of immature, and old fashioned by today's standards. And yes, GreenVandal, punk rock isn't supposed to be long and drawn out, because you can't make rock songs that long and not become prog, which is what punks hated...

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 3:31 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I like this record, I liked the last record. Against Me! seem to remind me of Husker Du way more then the Clash.

    Posted by sfbarker on 2003-11-10 15:22:05
    My Score:

    Against Me!>Clash

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-11-10 15:11:51
    My Score:

    "Jesus saves, Lemieux taps in the rebound"

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 2:53 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    to everyone who has posted below me:

    this guy's full of shit

    you're over it, go listen to some music instead of arguing about it

    Posted by Mr_Pink on 2003-11-10 13:50:12
    My Score:

    I just noticed the anti-"Urgh! A Music War" comment. Them's fightin' words. Klaus Nomi alone makes it badass.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 12:42 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Hey, here's a question:

    I always see bumper stickers that say "Jesus is Lord", or "Jesus is King", well which is it?

    -sickboi

    Posted by blood_brothers_are_good on 2003-11-10 12:25:06
    My Score:

    against me rules. but the blood brothers are god.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 9:40 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Of course the attitude (no future, no feelings, no fun - in the U.K., at least) was a tremendous part of the movement."

    The Clash had no feelings?

    Posted by Greenvandal on 2003-11-10 08:32:14
    My Score:

    just tried to hard to showoff* and not to show emotion.

    typo!

    Posted by Greenvandal on 2003-11-10 08:29:25
    My Score:

    Well, thye songs werent show offy wank fests just because they were long. They were wank crap because they just tried to hard to show and not to show emotion. Refuseds New Noise is about 6 minutes long, and there isnt a boring seconde in it, where as I would say the locust entire catalog bores me and there songs are about 20 seconds long (give or take a second) so timing doesnt really matter to me. It just seems everyone gets pissed off and says things are boring if they arent angry. there are more emotions than anger. Radionhead is a band I dont like...but I do understand there merits and there ideas, and can see no reaosn why anyone would hate them.

    I never saw punk as music, but as a idea. The idea was to be completely different from what was prevelant then, and that idea still holds true today. but at the moment, what was once punk is the big deal...so what are you into? Punk the idea (be as different as possible) or punk the music (whatever the fuck that is..who knows anymore)?

    Just some early morning thoughts...

    boy do I love the blood brothers.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 7:37 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I'm not saying that's all it was about, but from a musical standpoint, yes. Of course the - in the U.K., at least) was a tremendous part of the movement.

    Well, sorry people. Some reason my last sentence got cut off. What I meant to say was this:
    Of course the attitude (no future, no feelings, no fun - in the U.K., at least) was a tremendous part of the movement.
    -Janelle

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 7:35 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Punk is about many different things. but i shudder to think that someone actually thinks its about something as petty as 'no more 6 miute songs'"

    Hey man, just saying one of the factors that contributed to the movement. The kids were fed-up with that. They in turn shortened songs, went back to basics, and technical ability wasn't important. Back in the mid-to late-70s, punk was a rebellion against the music that was popular. They brought it back to how it was in the '50s and '60s, pure, flat-out rock 'n' roll. It was ramshackle, no virtuoso musicians flaunting their skills.
    That's my two cents. Just telling it like it was, my friend. I'm not saying that's all it was about, but from a musical standpoint, yes. Of course the - in the U.K., at least) was a tremendous part of the movement.
    -Janelle

    Posted by vien on 2003-11-10 03:21:32
    My Score:

    I still like RAR better.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 1:39 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    While we're off topic here...I just saw Saves The Day with Moneen tonight in Myrtle Beach, as an encore STD covered "Hey Ya" by Outkast, not only this but merch girls and members of Taking Back Sunday and Moneen all put on bikinis and danced...

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2003-11-10 00:09:23
    My Score:

    some things:

    there's nothing wrong with liking music about killing your girlfriend. dammit.

    Three Feet High And Rising and Straight Outta Compton are the reason that rap is good and popular (repsectively, not together dumbass). NWA and Public Enemy remain the only gangster rap groups/artists that i like.

    Radiohead while not necessarily "good" were and are very influential. However, that sucks for us because we now have 20 bands that sound just as bad.

    Who gives a shit if there's a non-punk record reviewed on this website. This isn't an absolutely punk website. That's right, this isn't AbsolutePunk.net.

    My jokes are bad, live with it and the non-punk reviews here, if you can't, I might have to review the new Atmosphere album just to piss you off.

    That record was released on Epitaph.

    6 minute songs are hereon restricted to Power Metal and bands from the midwest. No one else.

    i like afi. i don't hate them. i don't love them. i do love to prove people rong though.

    making jokes intended to go over people's heads isn't always a great idea.

    i don't like nirvana or the pixies. deal.

    against me! gets better with every instrument you take away. except tom's guitar. never get rid of that.

    stop arguing about the death of punk and genre-classifying bullshit. just listen to the music you assholes.

    -El Vaquero
    this has been yet another procrastination session from your friend, the cowboy. this review still sucks.

    Posted by dignin on 2003-11-10 00:00:04
    My Score:

    also radiohead sounds NOTHING like rent or any "new wave" band

    Posted by dignin on 2003-11-09 23:33:25
    My Score:

    I agree punk was originally to rebel against six minute songs and such. But now most of punk rock has become unbelievably stale, so I think since punk has been raped by the main stream and alo is a simple way to play music, maybe we should rebel against it? Just a thought.

    Radiohead may be more boring to people with short attention spans, or maybe their not your thing. But if you ask me, most hardcore(directed at forty) and its related genres are EXTREMELY boring. Although there are some good bands in hardcore it is mostly generic crap. Just cause you dont like them doesnt mean they suck

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 11:15 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I've only listned through it about 4 times, but still, I don't think it'll get much more than a 7. They did too much work on the vocals, they're too well produced, not the harmonic screaming I'm used to. I know that's progress, but it didn't click as well with me well as "Crime" did. There's nothing wrong with going a bit more mellow, and their lyric intensity is still amazing. In any case, this is still an amazing band to see live. That was the best 25 minutes of my life, Wichita KS. All in all it wasn't as good as I had expected, but they are still my favorite band, unless the new Blood Brothers cd is as good as their last. and to the one talking about "godspeed you black emperor" that was really great.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 10:21 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    punk is "Godspeed You Black Emperor!" all these other bands are trash compared to them. you know it's true.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 10:20 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This album is amazing if you skip "Sink, Florida, Sink."

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 10:19 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    against me is tate-core

    Posted by Greenvandal on 2003-11-09 21:31:58
    My Score:

    Good to know that such old school hard rockin punkers can have a petty "what should I label this band?" discussion just like the prog/metal/emo kids on this site alwats do. Shows some unity.

    Punk is about many different things. but i shudder to think that someone actually thinks its about something as petty as "no more 6 miute songs" Theres a whole lot of things to be pissed about besides music you find "boring".

    I usually concentrate on talking about music that makes me hate.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 8:44 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    The review is a bit over the top, but i saw them live last night and they rocked the shit out of me. The energy they bring to the stage is also evident on this record. Go out and buy now.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 6:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I've been comparing Against Me! to the Clash for a while now. They really are "the new only band that matters."

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 6:26 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    bold fucking review

    ...a little too bold, really. after your orgasm you'll calm down and retract a couple of those statements.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 6:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Am I only one here who sees that everybody on this site either hates AFI and Davey or loves them? I just think they suck. Oh well.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 5:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    ok i am the guy who did the cds below, i just want to specify that i said all of these albums are awful. i said they were "punk" albums becuase thats what they are labelled as. not becuase thats what i think they are. the only label they deserve is crap.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 5:49 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    to the person below me, avril isn't punk rock? get the fuck out of here! well that's news to all of us. and afi's sing the sorrow is about as good as hootie and the blowfish's follow up. yep, THAT good.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 5:34 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    to the person below me, simple plan, avril lavigne, and those other bands that i've never ehard of (not afi) are not punk bands

    sing the sorrow is an amazing album, and if you don't like it you're wrong, end of story (think of it as a davey side project when you listen instead of an afi album and its a lot better)

    yep

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 4:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i love this cd. that said:
    5 albums LESS important than this album since londan calling (actually 5 albums less important this year):
    1. simple plan - no pads no helmets, jsut balls
    2. avril lavigne - let go
    3. AFI - sing the sorrow
    4. story of the year - page avenue
    5. Rufio - 1985
    (these are basically the msot awful recent albums that i could think of, i tried to stick with only punk albums, avril is not, but some idiots think she is so i stuck her up there. simple plan is still worse)

    Posted by jwinter on 2003-11-09 15:33:36
    My Score:

    I'm gonna have to say I like RAR more. I really liked how different it was. This CD is gettin dangerously close to soundin like all the rest of the punk stuff out there.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 3:22 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    The last album was Against Me! is 'Reinventing Axl Rose'. The new album is Against Me! as 'The Eternal Cowboy'.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 3:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Hmm...good point. Hey Blondie played with The Ramones a lot and is considered punk - I always thought of Blondie as New Wave/pop-type stuff. But all the bands that came through the ranks at CBGBs get put under the Punk moniker. And Talking Heads for that matter...speaking of which I'm off to CBs for Kill Your Idols.
    -Janelle

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 2:31 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "speaking of radiohead, what the fuck are they doing reviewed on PUNKnews.org? last time i checked, the ramones and punk rock were all about rebelling against these types of bands who wrote boring prog rock 6 minute songs that supposedly scream creaviity but really amount to a pile of horse manure. they shoulda put on some radiohead, not metallica, when the u.s. was trying to torture those al quaeda terrorists"

    Don't ask me... Half the kids who read this are metalheads or prog rockers, evidently. The first wave bands and their original causes get no respect on this site...

    But just to play the devil's advocate, what about Television? They had long songs, and played lots of gigs with the Ramones.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 1:52 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    yeah the 'as' is just like a gimmick, the cd itself is titled the eternal cowboy

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 1:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    it is just the eternal cowboy, go to fat's web site, it's not as the eternal cowboy

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 1:43 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Good point about punk being a movement that railed against the "6-minute" song - so true - it was a rebellion against the drawn-out guitar solos, the superflous drum fills, all the extraneous factors.

    But, really, they played Metallica to torture prisoners?
    -Janelle

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 1:30 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    speaking of radiohead, what the fuck are they doing reviewed on PUNKnews.org? last time i checked, the ramones and punk rock were all about rebelling against these types of bands who wrote boring prog rock 6 minute songs that supposedly scream creaviity but really amount to a pile of horse manure. they shoulda put on some radiohead, not metallica, when the u.s. was trying to torture those al quaeda terrorists.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 11:51 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    How about this, any of those ugly skinny guy new wave bands of the early 80s. Like I know their names? Just in general boring new wave music. Don't deny it. Rent "Urrgh" (I think that's the name of it) if you can find it. To be honest I taped it off of USA 15 years ago, I think, so I don't know if it's still in print. It has DK (recorded without permission and edited!), Chelsea, X, and about 2 other good bands (Burning Spear and UB 40 I think but can't rightly remember) on it. The rest of it is new wave crap. That's what I'm talking about. Enjoy.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at 9:58 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Good album, bad review.

    Posted by Greenvandal on 2003-11-09 08:33:56
    My Score:

    Dude. Your talking about a band with actual creativity on this website. What do you expect? If the songs arent about killing your girlfriend or how fuckin rockin anarchy is, then no one here likes it. Now go put that back in the POPular section where you found it.

    This review is the essence of crap. I have written some high flying over praising reviews in my time...but not give a single example of the sound or even mention a single song title, standout track, or lyric you enjoyed?

    Did you even listen to this yet?

    Posted by theycallmejesus on 2003-11-09 02:06:10
    My Score:

    um, correct me if i'm wrong, but this is a review for against me! not radiohead...

    i haven't heard the album, so i'll give it a one. if i don't own it, it can't be good. or something.

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-11-09 00:45:42
    My Score:

    Radiohead is really boring..

    Posted by dignin on 2003-11-09 00:44:24
    My Score:

    "Radiohead are terrible. "Oh, look at us we're so misunderstood." No you're not, but you are boring.
    Radiohead are not important, never will be."

    Never heard them say that. As a matter of fact that seems to be the theme of any punk...ever. And I never said they were the most important band out there, but they are more important/revolutionary/influential than against me. Although I like against me

    Posted by dignin on 2003-11-09 00:42:13
    My Score:

    "Radiohead is if shitty new wave bands got the idea to do prog... And they aren't the first, but they're definitely the most famous. Boring shit, really."

    Your ignorance keeps shining through, and please name these bands that came before radiohead.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 10:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    if someone is reading this and has this cd, please make a new review of it since this review doesn't tell me too much of the cd its self.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 8:41 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Radiohead are terrible. "Oh, look at us we're so misunderstood." No you're not, but you are boring.
    Radiohead are not important, never will be.

    ...evildeadalive

    Can't wait to see these guys with None More Black and Rise Against. Oh yeah, and that other band...

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 7:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    pretty cool record

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 7:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Radiohead is if shitty new wave bands got the idea to do prog... And they aren't the first, but they're definitely the most famous. Boring shit, really.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 6:44 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    just because its new, doesn't mean its good

    Posted by dignin on 2003-11-08 18:07:50
    My Score:

    "No need to get personal, dignin. It's just all your favorite music is very fitting for the casual elevator ride... Nothing wrong with that, it's just just not no London Calling!"

    Well, at least you got a new argument for why radiohead sucks, cause last time all you could come up with is "I say Radiohead has been done before is, because, frankly, they have...", but you never got around naming those bands radiohead copied. And I never said it was London Calling, thats the point, Ok Computer was a highly original and influential album. So your right, "its just just not no London Calling"

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 5:49 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    wow...i'm really surprised by your review just because after listening to the whole cd i felt like it clearly fell apart after the first three songs.

    i like against me! and think they have a lot going for them. but, this release just falls off--it starts great and goes straight down.

    fat didn't "ruin" them...they've been moving in a faster, more distorted direction on their own. "as the eternal cowboy" just isn't that great.

    Posted by vien on 2003-11-08 17:37:41
    My Score:

    I still like RAR better.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 5:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i appreciate the writing in this review.

    yep

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 5:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i think its very fitting to place them in the same league as the clash. theyre following up on a musical tradition that went from the clash to operation ivy and now against me!
    theyve got the potential to be one of the most important punk bands of our time.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 5:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "This band is to the Clash as Good Charlotte are to the Ramones. You can put them in the same sentence, but you can't put them on the same playing field."

    youre thinking of rancid.

    Posted by Analog_Boy on 2003-11-08 17:19:53
    My Score:

    ...haven't heard the whole thing yet. my buddy saw them live, I missed it but I from what i've heard this is pretty damn good. The reviewer shoulda discussed the alblum and songs a little more than the band. whatever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 4:56 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "inagreendase, this IS the new album."

    whoosh, brother. whoosh

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 4:49 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I just heard a big THUMP on my window and something tannish fall...looked out the window on the ground and yes, a bird flew into my window and now lays dead on the cold ground.
    In other news, I still hold firm UK SUBS were "pivotal". Yeah.
    -Janelle

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 4:39 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This cd is a big let down. Against me! is capable of doing a lot better than this. Another band ruined by fat.

    Posted by Hulka on 2003-11-08 16:10:48
    My Score:

    This band is to the Clash as Good Charlotte are to the Ramones. You can put them in the same sentence, but you can't put them on the same playing field.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 3:13 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    inagreendase, this IS the new album.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 3:08 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "I did NOT say this was the most important album since London Calling. I said most pivital, as in changing something"

    ...isn't that jumping the gun a little bit, it usually takes mroe than three days to change music

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-11-08 14:43:06
    My Score:

    Awesome review but someone told me they have a new album out. Is this true?

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 1:53 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    andy-you'll never live this review down so stop trying to backtrack and make some lame excuse for calling this the most pivotal record since london calling. people here have already named 20 records that easily top this.

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-11-08 12:01:42
    My Score:

    dep4rt!ng 45 !n y0ure n3v3r writ!ng 4n0th3r r3v!ew 4gain? that5 pr3tty d4mn c001 i mu5t 5ay...

    Posted by maverick on 2003-11-08 12:00:37
    My Score:

    CD name is fixed. My apologies, I should've caught that yesterday.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 11:30 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    My departing words ...

    1) I did NOT say this was the most important album since London Calling. I said most pivital, as in changing something. As in it is similar because it takes the politics and emotions of the Clash (and countless political bands since) and combines it with a ton of musical styles. The outcome is a nonforced album that can be as easily labeled folk as it can be labeled punk. There have been countless "punk-[insert other genre here]" bands. But, I contest, that none of them have combined so many diverse genres as Against Me! does here, and as the Clash did in 1979.

    2) The allusions to "six strings" and "6 cylinders" was straight from Tom's lyrics. If you don't like the thought of someone refering to his guitar as six strings or their van as 6 cylinders then don't listen

    3) I fucked up on the album name. I forgot my "As" ... I am going to punk hell.

    Posted by musical-monkey on 2003-11-08 10:37:01
    My Score:

    the reviewer also got the name of the cd wrong. its not The Eternal Cowboy. its As The Eternal Cowboy. now i'm just being annoying.

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2003-11-08 10:30:18
    My Score:

    Actually, you're probably right about "Fear of a Black Planet" beeing better!

    Posted by CallingLondon on 2003-11-08 10:24:39
    My Score:

    alright people, i think he gets the point. the review sucked. and about the "pop" argument...from what i've been told, the word "pop" was first used in music to describe the beatles. it was referring to SODA-POP for the sugary sound of their music. The beatles also happened to be a very popular band, so i guess the word got associated with the wrong aspect.

    anyway, i'm no against me fan. what i've heard from them i didn't think was so great, however that's not to say i've made my final judgement of them. any song suggestions?

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 9:46 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I think the most important thing about these guys is the amount of passion they play with. Like when you hear their records you can tell they had a blast recording it. This may not be as raw or as instantly amazing as their other stuff, but I still here the passion and whatnot, and thats why I think I like it a lot more than I thought I would. Thats just me though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 5:31 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    great record, but theres nothing close to pints of guinness, or even the last 7 inch on here.

    good, much better live, looking forward to them continuing to put out records and just be good people.

    wyzo

    Posted by fakesmile on 2003-11-08 03:51:20
    My Score:

    i think it's a major let down.
    it has a few good songs. but just "a few".

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 2:39 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    No need to get personal, dignin. It's just all your favorite music is very fitting for the casual elevator ride... Nothing wrong with that, it's just just not no London Calling!

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 2:09 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "With 6 cylinders of sweat drenched aggression Against Me! delivers the most pivotal release since “London Calling” and, therein lies its importance: uncompromised progress."-um no, do not compare this over hyped/over rated band to the Clash...

    Posted by dignin on 2003-11-08 01:44:18
    My Score:

    *blood not bood

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 1:41 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    gangsta rap was a fad. fear of a black planet by public enemy is much better.

    Posted by dignin on 2003-11-08 01:39:57
    My Score:

    thats exactly why I like radiohead, because their boring. I cant beleive you came to that conclusion on your own. Its weird that you did because people dont usually like things because they're boring, but you read me like a book, congratulations!

    Heres another list of stuff I like for weird reasons:

    1. Masturbating with sand paper; the bood and semen forms a fry sauce looking substance(for those of you outside of Utah, fry sauce is mayonais and ketchup mixed
    2. Watching Dawsons Creek. Makes me remember how COOL high school was
    3. Reading BSD's comments. God your a dipshit.

    Posted by aubin on 2003-11-08 01:36:40
    My Score:

    I can't say I agree with everything the reviewer said. (For one thing, London Calling came out twenty years ago, and has stood the test of time, and trends.)

    But I can say that this is an incredible, moving record, and Tom and Co. are talented, clever and gracious guys.

    Punk needs a record like this right now, and I'm glad they put it out.

    Posted by shindo on 2003-11-08 01:35:55
    My Score:

    Now while I think our contribor Andy got a bit too hyperbolic with some of his comments, I do share his passion for this band. There's something that feels very fresh and genuine about Against Me's sound and general outlook. I don't think the debate over the reviewer's 'London Calling' comment should overshadow this.

    I've only heard most of these songs live so far, but I do intend to write something up on this record. Expect a staff-review next week hopefully. We recently conducted an interview as well, so that's something to look for soon.

    -adam

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 12:35 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    you guys shouldn't bash against me, because afterall, they are the most brilliant thing to ever hit rock and roll, and without them we wouldn't have bands like the velvet underground and the ramones

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2003-11-08 00:23:15
    My Score:

    I think the most pivotal reocrd since "London Calling" hands down would have to be "Straight Outta Compton" By NWA! I'm sorry if this discussion was only meant for punk or rock n' roll, if so I withdraw my comment!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 11:46 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Hahahhahaha. Radiohead...

    Sheesh guys, whatever you're into... But just cos it's boring don't make it good.

    -BSD

    Posted by dignin on 2003-11-07 23:25:20
    My Score:

    pixies-surfer rosa
    the cure-disengration
    any fugazi album
    radiohead-ok computer

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 11:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Best.CD.Ever.
    (Well maybe not, but hey its pretty rockin)

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 11:16 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    They're the nicest, most down-to-earth guys ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 11:15 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This CD rocks my cock.

    -Justin

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 11:05 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    What the fuck? Are you in against me? You sound like a goddamn commercial. I swear to god you aren't doing this for free. You make me want to vomit, sick flu vomit. Against me fucking kills my boner. The way you write make me mad. Me smash you. Fucking cunt. God I hate you. I love puppies and kitties. Rainbows rock!
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 10:50 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    http://noidearecords.com/

    is what I meant to type.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 10:49 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    aaand if you dont wanna blow 15$, noidrearecords.com (their old label), has all their cds for like $7, and their amazing EPS are like 4. great deals.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 10:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    to the guy that wanted to know what it sounded like and couldnt find any mp3s, check the bands website,their old labels website,and fat wrecks website, and youll be able to find atleast half a dozen mp3s.its punk in similar style to the clash or operation ivy, but also with very much its own style. and this cds really great,but I still prefer reinventing,crime,or the accoustic ep.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 10:22 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I completely agree with the reviewer...to those of you who still think Reinventing was a better album, just let it grow...all in all this album is tied with Joe Strummer for best album of the year

    Posted by Pirate on 2003-11-07 22:06:37
    My Score:

    I think you kind of over-rated it. I think Against Me! is one of the greatest bands in the scene, but Reinventing Axl Rose was far superior than this album. A lot of the songs just didn't have the passion that Reinventing Axl Rose did.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 9:42 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Don't get me wrong this is a great album, I just wish it wasn't so clean sounding. On Reinventing Axl Rose, No Idea let them get away with going balls out, but this new album lacks that rawness.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 9:30 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    the guy's voice reminds me Hot Water Music, musically they just seemed to be pretty mundane, lyrically they seemed a step above a lot of shittier bands. That guy's voice just flattens it all tho

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 9:28 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    yep this album probably is much more important than bad brains roir sessions you retarded retard. who looks like the dumbass now?

    -nfgrawker

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 9:22 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    hey, can someone tell me EXACTLY what this album sounds like, because i'm too much of an idiot to find an mp3 or buy an album solely based on a good recommendation. maybe if you could put in the review somewhere "shitty pop punk", then i'll know to like it. thanks.

    -you

    i go to school on campus, the school shut down kazaa etc. so i can't find any mp3's. good recommendation? people make good recommendations about shitty records all the time. why should i go out and waste $15 and buy this record w/o knowing what it at least sounds like? this guy didn't describe shit about this band's sound other than 3 words "punk rock and folk" yes asswad, proceed to fuck yourself.

    -me

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 8:33 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    but as you've alluded to already, throwing all kinds of musical styles into a blender and putting it out has already been done before...by the clash on london calling. the next musical revolution won't be AM! because what they're doing, while really good, has already been done before and done better.

    i like AM! but i think you may be jumping the gun a bit. give the album some time to sink in and then say that damn it. i can't count the times ive listened to an album and thought it was the greatest thing ever and then a month later ended up in my collection never touched again.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 8:28 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    ill throw my 2 cents in on 5 punk-related albums more important than this since london calling.

    the replacements - let it be
    the pogues - if i should fall from grace with god
    rancid - ...and out come the wolves (i might catch hell for that one...or this next one...or the one after, but who cares its an innocent list)
    nirvana - nevermind
    sublime - 40 oz to freedom

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 8:26 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    1) POP does = POPular, hence the name. I agree that people have associated other things with POP in the day, but in the root sense of the word I would have to say I was dead on.

    2) Describing Against Me!'s sound is hard. I would have done the whole "take Johnny Cash, throw him in a the blender with the Clash and blend until the 50's ... then throw in a dash of country, etc..." I mean, how do you describe a sound like this? It would have been stupid of me to try, especially since every song on the album is different.I got have wrote a novel analyzing each song ... "well this one has a melody remenicent of '50s blues and this one is similar to '60s pop..." but I think that would have been stupid

    3) The reason I skipped Reinventing Axl Rose as a CD is because it was all old material. Although, I do agree with the fact that it was a step forward as a band ... since it was the first CD the whole band played on, but since all the songs were written already.... eh, you get the point

    4) I didn't say it was the most important album since London Calling; that would be stupid of me... I was alluding to the fact that it was a departure from the norm. At the time that LC came out it was completley different... the Clash took a ton of styles and threw them in the blender to come up with something original. Now, I am sure a ton of bands have done that since... but, I doubt any of those bands has combined as many styles as Against Me! and have come out with such amazingly important songs.

    I think that is all ... oh, and to be honest... "forced analogies"? those are the emotions that AM! brings up in me... if you think that is forced ... too bad.

    -reviewer guy

    Posted by BSD on 2003-11-07 20:08:52
    My Score:

    "No way on the UK Subs - while cool they were (and are) still not as influential as the Clash, Blitz, or Crass."

    Clash? No, the Subs weren't as good.

    Crass? Subs were better musically, but failed to have as much lyrical influence.

    Blitz? This is where you seem to run out of ideas... Blitz better than the UK Subs? Are you kidding? I mean, it's YOUR opinion, but that just seems naive and stupid, cos although I love Blitz, they were not nearly as original or fun as the UK Subs.

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-11-07 20:07:10
    My Score:

    yeah, so thanks for telling me what the cd sounds like. ass.
    scores for da review.

    Posted by REALPUNX4LIFE on 2003-11-07 19:39:00
    My Score:

    Another of this reviewers follies: "pop" = "popular"? You obviously have no idea what the term pop means outside of your little anarchy club that hates everything "mainstream." Pop doesn't mean popular, ding dong. The Buzzcocks played pop music and they shouldn't even be considered popular, at least not on a Best Buy scale. If Best Buy is ranking popular music, I highly doubt that Against Me would even be in the top 500. Maybe at Interpunk or No Idea they'd be popular, but Best Buy? Getcher head outcher ass.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 7:20 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I don't value this dickhead's opinion at all, although I think this is one of the top two albums of the year and Against Me! is the best band ever after the Clash. The review seems pretentious.

    But seriously people, in ten years AM! (not necessarily this record) will be looked back upon as equals with Operation Ivy, Dead Kennedys, Descendents, et. all

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2003-11-07 19:07:09
    My Score:

    now i'm starting to see the point of the bold-faced reviews, too bad we can't have that system to filter out this crap now. still, it's a conspiracy.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:47 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i like how the reviewer completely ignores the existence of Reinventing Axl Rose. if you're gonna talk about a band (and go so far as to call their brand new album as 'pivotal as London Calling'), you should at least know a thing or two about the band.

    anyway this record is a disappointment and this review is laughable.

    -waste

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:40 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Good CD, but still can't top The Weakerthans for best release of the year!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:37 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    hey, can someone tell me EXACTLY what this album sounds like, because i'm too much of an idiot to find an mp3 or buy an album solely based on a good recommendation. maybe if you could put in the review somewhere "shitty pop punk", then i'll know to like it. thanks.

    -you

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:26 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    And in the hardcore category: Groundwork!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    No way on the UK Subs - while cool they were (and are) still not as influential as the Clash, Blitz, or Crass. Maybe on TSOL - but then you have to distinguish them from Naked Raygun. And while we're talking about influential punk: DKs, the Dischord three: Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Nation of Ulysses, and that one band NOFX.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    so important, i had to put my name 2x - there.
    -J

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:16 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Pivotal Records...
    !!TSOL - DANCE WITH ME!!

    Come on people!!!!

    And, UK SUBS - BRAND NEW AGE. I'd have said their debut LP ANOTHER KIND OF BLUES as well, but it came out a couple months before London Calling...
    -Janelle

    -Janelle

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 6:04 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Albums since "London Calling" which are ACTUALLY important:

    1. Op Ivy - discography
    2. Fugazi - 13 Songs
    3. Bad Religion - no control
    4. Sunny Day Real Estate - diary
    5. Blink 182 - (just kidding)
    6. Jawbreaker - Unfun

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 5:45 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    will someone please tell me (or all of us really) what this band sounds like besides punk rock and folk? like maybe give an example of an actual song on this record.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 5:37 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    When reading this review, 80% of all people will copy "the most pivotal release since “London Calling”" to paste in anger in their comment. Then you see that the first comment already did that. I commend you "first comment guy."

    Oh yea; if you DO think that this is "the most pivotal release since “London Calling”".... you need go to 'FU' and attend the punk history class.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 5:33 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    the whole London Calling thing is redonkeyless here's 5 albums more pivotal than The Eternal Cowboy that have been released since London Calling

    Dead Kennedys "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables"
    Descendents "Milo Goes to College"
    Op Ivy "Energy"
    Social Disortion "Social Distortion"
    Minor Threat "Discography"

    come on now, that was easy, and not pretentious, but perfectly honest

    i hope i never hear those two bands in the same sentence

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 5:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "most pivotal release since 'London Calling'"

    are you fucking kidding me?

    let me repeat

    are you fucking kidding me?

    fuck you man, that's the most rediculous claim i've ever heard

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 5:16 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    awesome album, one of the best of the year. as stated by all posts the review could have been better, but it will get people interested in listening to AM who already dont, so i guess thats good.

    top 5
    joe strummer-streetcore
    larry arms-greatest story
    strike anywhere-exit english
    constantines-shine a light
    this cd, i still need to listen to it more though

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 5:13 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    wow, I was really hoping I could come on her and read the review of this record. Just delete this piece of shit "review", it is by far one of the worst i have ever read. I guess I won't be buying this until i find out what the record sounds like and stuff.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 4:56 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    this score is for the review. all filler and no substance. i don't know this band and after reading your review, i still don't know what the fuck they sound like. 10 stars? haha. this scoring system is such bullshit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 4:56 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This review sucks cuz it's short, doesn't describe any songs

    Now does anyone agree that at least a few of the songs sound rather op-ivyish?

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2003-11-07 16:40:03
    My Score:

    This seems like a review of the band, not the album!

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2003-11-07 16:39:06
    My Score:

    I don't know, I like this as much as "Reinventing Axl". It's just a different kind of album. I still think it's an amazing record!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 4:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    wow, i wanna see this guy review reinventing axl rose.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 4:26 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This review is seriously over the top, but this is a really great album, so catchy - its always in my head...but london calling, get real. - bigjerk

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 4:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    9 for the album but the review read like a junior year english paper. too many forced analogies (like those found in against me's songwriting recently h0aeh0ahe0ahe0a)

    Posted by sickboi on 2003-11-07 16:19:35
    My Score:

    Good album, but nothing close to "Reinventing...", I feel bad for AM!, there was way too much hype surrounding this album for it to live up to expectations.

    Posted by boldredletters on 2003-11-07 16:13:01
    My Score:

    Re-inventing was a full band album, but it was songs that had been written by tom before. this is the first full length that was written with a full band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 4:08 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    If six strings ever had a chance to BLAH BLAH BLAH

    Most pretentious fucking introduction I've ever read.

    This score is for Matrix Revolutions and java-based Donkey Kong games.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 3:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    it's not that great.

    Next.

    Posted by Edgie on 2003-11-07 15:41:45
    My Score:

    I've listened to it. I enjoyed it. That said, I don't see why these guys are so hyped. Don't get me wrong, it sounds okay and all, but the way some of you kids talk about it.. it goes no where near London Calling.

    Nothing ever will.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 3:38 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "It really pisses me off that people say this record doesn't match up to the earlier stuff. There really is no comparison. Like the reviewer said, it is a step forward... their first full release as a band. I'll admit, I wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but now I love it. And the new songs are absolutely amazing live. This band could destroy the universe."

    Reinventing Axl Rose was a full band full length.

    Yeah, this was a really shitty review. I'm prolly gonna try and write one thats better.

    Posted by Mr_Pink on 2003-11-07 15:35:05
    My Score:

    The London Calling line is a bit much.

    Posted by ThereIsLifeInThis on 2003-11-07 15:32:19
    My Score:

    great CD, terrible review. Please site some specific elements of a CD when reviewing, and not just your own opinions of a bands greatness or lack there of.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 3:21 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    while this album is indeed very very good, great perhaps, to not mention Reinventing Axl Rose when talking of the evolution of Against Me! is simply wrong, its such a great album

    Posted by musical-monkey on 2003-11-07 15:20:48
    My Score:

    "There is already the amazing beginning (self-titled 7” and Crime 7”),"

    forgetting about a little cd called Reinventing Axl Rose? i haven't gotten the new one yet, no store has it, or they have it but it's insanely expensive.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 7, 2003 at 3:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    haven't got the album yet. but the songs "mutiny on the electronic bay" and "sink, florida, sink" were great live.

    Ramo

    Posted by boldredletters on 2003-11-07 15:02:32
    My Score:

    It really pisses me off that people say this record doesn't match up to the earlier stuff. There really is no comparison. Like the reviewer said, it is a step forward... their first full release as a band. I'll admit, I wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but now I love it. And the new songs are absolutely amazing live. This band could destroy the universe.

    Posted by sk8punx4evr on 2003-11-07 15:01:18
    My Score:

    thanks for saying how against me! has evolved, but how about describing the album itself?

    Posted by shindo on 2003-11-07 15:00:58
    My Score:

    Now I love this band and what I've heard of this record so far...

    ...but saying "most pivotal release since “London Calling”" about anything just seems premature.

    -adam