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| Bad ReligionThe Empire Strikes First2004 Epitaph 
  Review by: Adam See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on June 9th 2004
As much as The Process Of Belief was celebrated as a comeback record, one was left wondering, after all the hype and excitement of its release had passed, where Bad Religion would go from there. After all, a killer return to form twenty years into a career is quite an accomplishment, but sustaining that energy is a more difficult task entirely. More than a few people I spoke with had assumed Process would turn out to be a fitting swan song at the end of an already prolific career. While these dire predictions fizzled rather quickly, the question remained of what form was this new era of Bad Religion would take. It turns out that life made that decision for the band, and like so many of their peers they've begun to take a very activist approach to the policies of Bush administration. There's certainly something to be said about the ability of conservative US governments to light a fire under the collective ass of the punk scene. Yet while some bands fighting this battle have fallen into a pattern of sloganeering, Bad Religion's years of skill and insight have allowed them to craft one of the most literate statements our scene has yet made. Even The Empire Strikes First's most forthright political songs seem to be written with longevity in mind. While the band references what we've all seen repeated on the evening news they do so in a way that won't date their work when all this has passed. The title track is a perfect example, with it's sarcastic look at preemptive strike policy: "We strike first and we're unrehearsed / Here we go again to stage the greatest show on heaven and earth / Come on! Get your moneys worth." However if the war's rekindled the band's fighting spirit, the agenda of the radical religious right in has brought it to a full burn. Bad Religion truly lives up to their name with "Live Again - The Fall Of Man," "God's Love" and "Atheist Peace" among others. Yet again these messages are delivered with the poise and wisdom other bands never approach. Greg Graffin's soul-searching lyricism is at the same time thoughtful and indignant. This record stands testament to the greatness that is the Graffin / Gurewitz songwriting team. The duo has always been known for putting together huge, memorable melodic punk rock songs and this is no exception. The single "Los Angeles Is Burning" has the type of chorus you start singing to yourself without realizing. "All There Is" features one of the band's most accomplished arrangements in recent memory. Graffin sings "Contend upon a rail of pain for just a pail of rain" with a wonderfully pleasing harmony and one of those prefect pauses before the band explodes into the chorus. Drummer Brooks Wackerman continues to amaze, particularly in the raging "Sinister Rouge." The double bass drumming is new for the band, one of a few tricks they try out successfully on the record. "Beyond Electric Dreams" features some tasteful electronic work from Mr. Brett's co-conspirators in Error. Street poet Sage Francis guests on "Let Them Eat War" in what's a surprisingly well-integrated hip-hop contribution to a rock song. The track is highlight of the record, showcasing the interplay between the band's three guitarists and lyrically tackling the social impact of religion, poverty and war. The bottom line is that Bad Religion sounds amazing here. Throughout their Atlantic years the criticism always lingered that their recorded output simply didn't live up the Suffer era in terms of energy and drive. While this doesn't stylistically return to that territory, it shows the band charging forward with their guns blazing and that puts to rest any nostalgic urge for them to retread on their past. Like Process before it, The Empire Strikes First shows Bad Religion on top of their game, neither dwelling on their early glories nor held back by their late 90s slump. This is every bit as exciting, rocking and relevant as one would hope.  Bad Religion - Sinister RougeBad Religion - Let Them Eat WarThe Empire Strikes First Micro-Site People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
This is one of the best albums of there career. As well as one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. I don't understand how someone can say that this band has lost it's edge when, realistically, they really only have one style..and it hasn't changed...and that's the style that everyone can't get enough of, I sure can't!! SHIT!! i give it a solid TEN! No doubt about it!! yet another masterpiece My first Punk rock album. Absolutely incredible. It still blows my mind. I like "Let them Eat War" and "Los Angeles Is Burning" best. They were at their best when The Process of Beleif was produced. I'm sorry to say it but This once glorious punk band has lost their touch after 20 some odd albums. brooks wackerman really adds a huge dose of energy to this record. The more I listen to the album, the more I love it. I was hooked from Sinister Rogue, but that's not the only great song on here. Wow....I hate you already. Bad Religion are crap, this is a perfect example of liking a band cuz u think u have to, they sound like your dad trying to sing punk rock, it sounds forced all the time and just doesnt sound like they mean it. Their is no better album ever made! fuckin legends all there albums are superb quite possibly one of the greatest bands of recent times and still havent lost the edge after all these years! Good to see that they're still making music. This record just doesn't have the same energy as the earlier stuff. They suck there last good album was 80-85. very very very good!!!!!!! People who call this band formulaic have no idea what they are talking about. Every single album has a different feel to it and you can tell easily, that is of course unless you are already biased and refuse to listen any closer. Your fucking ears must be broken. It's a good album. But far from the best BR ever put out. There are a lot of ups and downs on this one. their best album, beyond electric dreams is amazing this band is awesome i give them a 10... this has got to be one of the worst bad religion albums i really didnt like this one I have never heard bad religion before. but i bought the album cause all my friends said it rocked. and i have to agre with them. I thought this was one of the better albums of Bad Religion's. I enjoy it very much. Well, what can I say? Bad Religion was a very good band and have relesed one good album after another. When The Gray Race went out - despite many great songs it had - it was flawed (maybe in relation to Brets exodus) by the first signs of a change... and a negative change in my opinnion. The music started to get calmer and slower, and what's most important - that music didn't really sound good. Their lowest point was "The New America" album. Anyone who compared "1000 Memories" song with... shall we say: "Operation Rescue" (of "Against the Grain") for instance should get the picture. So when I thought that they couldn't get much worse than that, I was actually right, because "The Process of Belie"f was a big suprise for me. Listening to the fast-paced "Supersonic" momentarily reminded me everything I loved about Bad Religion. If I would to compare The Process of Belief with any other BR album I would definatly compare it with The Gray Race. Because it still had some of those not-too-good songs (sort of a heritage of The New America), but there were a DEFINITE signs of a somewhat "back to the roots" aim. Great album. Can't wait till they come to Norfolk with Rise Against. My favorites ongs on this are Atheist Peace, All There Is, Los Angelos is Burning, and Live Again. I am happy to say that this is the first Bad Religion recording since "Against the Grain" that I've been able to, not only sit all the way through, but actually enjoy! That was kind of Brett, since it seems he's the one with an ear for a hit song. I usually like Greg's songs better, but those are a lot less likely to end up on radio playlists (the only single I can think of written by Graffin alone -- not including the time Brett was out of the band, of course -- is "Struck a Nerve"). klasticono: They wrote the songs seperately. "Officially" it says they co-wrote, so that each gets equal pay. (Songwriters gets paid each time their songs are played on the radio, tv.) I am a musician, and rather than that making me view Bad Religion more negatively, it makes me more in awe of them. Listening to a band like BR is frustrating, because it makes you think, "Why am I even trying? No matter how hard I try, how could I ever create something that could stand up to 'Suffer' or 'Generator'?" Ok so yeah, this album sounds alot like their other ones. It incorporates mixtures of their older sound with their newer sound and some of the riffs sound like some of their other songs. Sure, theyve had the same messages forever and the lyrics, while pretty good, are more of the same themes as their old ones, but so are Hitchcock's films. The truth is though that Bad Religion are still good at what they do. They are still tight and know how to write songs. The harmonies and melodies here are great. I personally think that the last album was a little boring and sappy, "She was barely a teen just a part of the scene"? Come on. This albums sounds a lot better than that one too. My question is, for all of you that think this albums sucks or sounds the same, WHATS GOOD? What bands do you like that don't sound the same? OK, I know I just commented on this album within the last hour, but then I read everyone else's comments.... Who the hell are these people saying that The Empire Strikes First is recycled? I don't think the band's sound has changed as much since it did between Back to the Known and Suffer.... There's Brooks' insane drumming, which really stands out on this album (moreso than on the last one, probably, because he's been in the band longer and I imagine he was more involved in the creative process this time around) and the repeated use of digital effects on the vocals and music, there's a rap cameo (which is surprisingly good lyrically and fits well with the song) and Bad Religion's best harmonies and melodies ever. Also, the three-guitar lineup comes through from time to time (again, you probably notice that more on TESF than on TPOB because it is this lineup's second effort). Yeah. I hated this album when I first listened to it also... and talked a fair amount of shit about it (oops). But then I saw it on sale and picked it up and it's really aged well. It seems like the lyrics are more musical - without giving up that special Bad Religion sound. The music is also a lot "deeper" than on some of their past releases with some really great arrangements. Bad Religion's pretty much always been my favorite band, but when I first heard this album (a couple of months before the release date, thanks to Soulseek), I was disappointed, mostly because of the digital production and some of what I perceived as lyricism that was too blatant and cliche (the title track for example) to come from minds like Greg's or Brett's. I want Greg to eat my cock - this cd is great - I take it in the ass to this cd, I didn't think that this record would be so good. respect. AGAIN Bad Religion kick. "But even ten million souls marching in February couldn't stop the worst" Truly the most influential band ever, Bad Religion does it again with this one. They set my soul afire. I own every single Bad Religion Album , and yes this album is the kind of thing I have come ot expect. and thats great! With BR, you know what you're going to get. Most of the 90s were such a wash for this band, it's great to see them have a return to form. "Los Angeles Is Burning" is one of the strongest tracks they've recorded in years. Warped is going to be a great warmup for them, but I'm looking forward to seeing BR tour properly ... i don't know why some BR fans bitch about all their cds sounding too similar...well when they went out and tried to make a different sounding cd with slower tones and pianos in "Into The Unknown" the fans complained that they didn't like it! make up your fucking minds...It's like damned if you do damned if you don't...BR Great cd but i still think POB and RFH still are a little better... mmm, Im a very fan of this band , but i think they are just old, i dont think the music on this album will surprise you, If you are a very fan , buy it but... This album Rocks!! People who don't like this album need help as soon as they can get it. This is a superb record, although the title track sounds like "21st Century Digital Boy" and the last song reminded me of "Sorrow" - still it's brilliant, better than Process and their best album since Recipe For Hate (underrated) Great cd, Great album. album rocks. end of story. i'm trying to figure out where any visitor of punknews.org would get off trying to give this a low score. This record's okay but definately not as great as NC,ATG,G,RFH,STF,TGR. This album is alright. I still think POB was better though. there are some tracks which kind of lose me 20 seconds in. However, songs like Sinister Rouge keep you really happy There is no message in this band except buy our record it's fast again,we're back on Epitaph,Brett's back,download our video,call KROQ and remember never sell out to the majors. There is no message in this band except buy our record it's fast again,we're back on Epitaph,Brett's back,download our video,call KROQ and remember never sell out to the majors. "And just what is Bad Religions message? And just what is Bad Religions message? i can agree that unlike most bands out there today Bad Religion do and always have and a very strong and positive message in thier music (at least lyrically) This is puuuuuure punk biiitch!! I'm happy I was able to get a promo copy, after a few listens I find Empire to be quite boring compared to Process Of Belief. What sound are you talking about dude? While other bands, most notably acts like Anti-Flag, recycle ideas using catchy hooks and cliched catch phrases, one can defend them by asserting that at least they are saying what needs to be said and what the mainstream would never dare to say. Bad Religion, on the other hand, transcends the likes of such lesser-thans by writing music that ranges from righteously indignant to inspiring in its dissent. Graffin writes with anger and disbelief yet few have ever been more poetic or eloquent. At the same time, the band has found the sound they've been searching for for about a decade. Stellar release and it couldn't have come at a more important time. www.stereokiller.com/bands/JAUA OMGZ!! JAUA JAUA JAUA THEY RULKE I LOVE JAUA. www.stereokiller.com/bands/JAUA www.stereokiller.com/bands/JAUA Very simple this just plain sucks! Very simple this just plain sucks! how can anyone dislike this cd? Are BR now going metal ? "Are BR now going metal ? "I'm still looking for shit by Siege and Deep Wound." Are BR now going metal ? I thought you all said this record was good? Great review and great album. "Let The Eat War" is probably my fav song so far. I'm still looking for shit by Siege and Deep Wound. BSD is the most diabolical hater on this entire site. He is bar none the biggest hater on Earth. Dare I say, bar none the biggest hater in this nebulus. I love how BSD can defend himself almost single handedly against an entire board full of haters. Jesus Christ this album blows!!! Bad Religion is not for everyone but they are certainly awesome and much different than ANY band I've ever heard. Screw the shit talkers. You don't like em? Then do better or shut it. This album rocks. "The actual artwork on the new Atreyu album is a lot worse than the banner ad." as far as the rating for this album goes - good/bad who gives a shit. Please seperate punk and rock, folx. punk is a mindset; music, fashion, whatever will follow. The actual artwork on the new Atreyu album is a lot worse than the banner ad. How disgusting is the idea behind Boston Beatdown? how disgusting is the artwork for atreyu's new one? hate it. i really do wish the banner at the top of the site would stop on that one. I've never liked Bad Religion. It's basic punk with thick vocal harmonies. It's never sounded different. And the kids love it. Who knew? To the dude below "I HATE METAL and I HATE DOUBLE BASSDRUM"!!!! I kinda tend to agree with some of the stuff the dude below with the long parapgraphs said even though his English sound Quebecois ;) (but thats ok I am too). Bad Religion has been very important and influential to the seen whether you like them or not. Greg an dBrett have alot of things to say and in my opionion they say them very well and most of the songs make you stop and think. 9/10 for the album. so...I'm supposed to re-rate this album, and Bad Religion in general, because that guy wrote 5 paragraphs? I used to eat Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches every day but I got sick of them quickly. To bad I will make a long post, that will stop most of the people who SHOULD read this coment to actually read it but hell, I had to say something... minor threat...nice I was once just like you I love recipe for hate, but I think calling "New America" mediocre is giving it way too much credit! On a second thought, I think I'm going to sell all of my oldschool hardcore 7 inches and albums and just go Saddle Creek. I think it's really funny that so-called Bad Religion fans call this album "formulaic". The Empire Strikes First is completely different sounding than any of their other albums. Ever heard slow songs like these before? Not like this you haven't. I think it's amazing and even while some songs have a weak spot or two, that doesn't take away from the overall quality of the record. The experimental portions are a great addition. Yes, that includes the rap portion on Let Them Eat War. You want to talk about a mediocre album? Then talk about Recipe For Hate or The New America. This one rocks. Damn it, I keep having to sign back in! "The only ones complaining about Bad Religion are the fucking boring post-rock kids who jack off to the noise solos of (ugh) Sonic Youth and love (shudder) Cursive." "Ragtime fanatic" I think I'm going to reinvent myself as an introverted ragtime fanatic. It wouldn't surprise me if you reinvented yourself again, BSD. You're like the Madonna of attention whoring internet elitists. Well it says a lot when I think such a comment could come from you. That comment wasn't by me... I bet someone's gettin' a pretty big laugh about now! But I'll just log in from now on! Ba da da da da, I'm lovin' it. Why does everyone hate me?Im just a kid who likes emo I hope this is the last record because let's face the facts here kiddies Punk rock and all bands(NOFX,Pennywise,Rancid,AFI,Warped Tours,etc,etc) are all overpayed and overbloated embarassments to the human race as we see it today. The only ones complaining about Bad Religion are the fucking boring post-rock kids who jack off to the noise solos of (ugh) Sonic Youth and love (shudder) Cursive. "They're are only a few good punk bands left, and even they are starting to suck." "Anyways, yea, BR's lyrics are usually shit. People think because Graffin is almost upfront about things, he's some kind of genius. He states the obvious - Bush sucks, religion sucks (although his views on all religion are based on pricks like Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson, etc.), the world sucks, blah blah blah. He's never offered valid answers to any problems. " This is ridiculous..seriously. Everybody keeps saying BR sounds the same. How many bands out there constantly reinvent themselves with each new record? This formula works...Bad religions career can attest to this. These guys make good, quality music. Whether you like it or not these guys helped form punk rock into what it is today. In 20 years if all these ridiculous Screamo and pop punk bands are still around, and I seriously doubt that...I'm sure you will be there saying, this all sounds the same. Furthermore, I challenge anyone who says this sounds the same to create something better.... Bad Religion sucks. Case closed. Punk rock is dead. They're are only a few good punk bands left, and even they are starting to suck. Oh, to the guy who asks about the limited edition of the album, the DVD with it, just contains the first 20 minutes of footage of the "Along the Way" DVD.. If Bad Religion is saying the same things for two decades, it means the people out there doesn't get them. It's pretty ridicolous to complain to a group for being faithful to its sane and strong ideas. I also defy every single "so called" punk group to survive for two decades, having so motivated followers. Bad Religion may not now much about politics, but they know a lot about how life works. And that's not really common. They don't talk shit like most of the bands out there. It's simple. lieutenant: "Just a question though, as I have a record store promo copy, I am left without a DVD (I think the retail version comes with one?) -- What am I missing" ****This makes no sense to me. There are a BILLION bands which sound exactly like the Ramones, but they always get bad reviews and tons of criticism - but when Bad Religion turns out yet another CD that sounds exactly the same people call it the "album of the year." **** really good album... that's all - im going to play it once more...and l.a is burning.... Can someone name a band that change their style on every new album? Cause i cant.... and i know many bands.... This is truly an incredible album for a Bad Religion fan, no less perfect for an evening stroll across the downtown scape and the street parklife in between. Why does everyone hate me?Im just a kid who likes emo seeing as i am now an official "new hybrid" punk, after taking the quiz, i am going to be punk and diss up these freakin bad religion people...THEY SUCK! HAHAHAHAHHA i am going against the grain, so i am punk right? hahahahahaha jjk Sorry, I forgot to sign my name on the post below. The people who say "BR sucks, listen to Starbucks Music for the Plastic Generation like Cursive!" are oblivious to how DONE bands like Cursive are. It's been done before, they're just making it boring. "Someone who posts by the name BSD wrote below that punk was all about formula - probably the most idiotic comment I have ever seen on this site. one of the best reviews written on this site. good job. i thought he was too kind with the rating though. ... except at the record store to see if it sucks as hard as their last three albums. In response to the earlier comment: yes, I am pretentious. I have standards and I don't listen to crap like this. Ha, ha, ha... BSD is up on her/his cute little high horse again. Thank god we have her/him to show us all the way. WussEmoBSD is right...I like the fact that Bad Religion sounds the same...why fix something thats not broken. why are there so many "Man this band is big now, i dont like them" -Kiddies around.... "There are a million ways to make a song that have nothing to do with tempo. The way the instruments play together, what instruments are used, the song structure, what the band is singing about, how the band is singing, why the band is singing, whether the songs incorporate metaphor or humor or personal experiences, the volume, the use of choruses.... " "Someone who posts by the name BSD wrote below that punk was all about formula - probably the most idiotic comment I have ever seen on this site. "Still I think there are a few bands making pretty interesting and intense music out there... like Challenger, the Faint, Planes Mistaken for Stars, J Church (who have played the same style forever but always have something new and interesting to say), Cursive, Atmosphere, and a few others." your mother has more talent in one of her labia lips than any porn star have in their whole body Graffin and Gurewitz have more talent in their stinkiest farts than all the neighsayers in this thread in their entire bodies. Is it just me, or is BSD kind of like the new WussEmoRock? news from the front is on the european version of stranger than fiction, along with markovian process... Bad Religion is the Wayne Newton of punk rock. Rise Against could Anyone who thinks no one likes Bad Religion, and do not deserve to headline the Warped Tour, is a certifiable idiot. "you mean like the amazing evolution of D.R.I.'s little skankin’ man logo, who, after all this time, is clothed and in a moment of triumph, finally breaking free of the circle that has confined him for the past two decades? " Most of you already know my disposition on this band, but... J Church blows! Saw them a couple months back...ickkk There are a million ways to make a song that have nothing to do with tempo. The way the instruments play together, what instruments are used, the song structure, what the band is singing about, how the band is singing, why the band is singing, whether the songs incorporate metaphor or humor or personal experiences, the volume, the use of choruses.... how could hell be any worse is my favorite too. ahhh bad religion. i knew you had it in you somewhere and i'm glad you found it. i was skeptical yesterday on the boards, but i picked it up after work and am now a believer in bad religion once more. best album since stranger than fiction. i'm excited about this band again. i listened to enemy about 6 times already since yesterday and it gets better and better and better. buy it fools. and yes it is a bad religion album so don't expect another sound but you can expect much better songs than they've put out on the last few. now i want to see them tour in support of it. Ha sounds like all the complaints about dear old Pennywise. Yeah... and who the fuck is revolutionary now?!..... first of all.... whats that "all albums sounds the same thing?" I mean most punkbands sound the same on their Albums, or should they chang their style to Ska or what... Pennywise sounds like Pennywise, Bad Religion like Bad Religion, Rise against like Rise against ....... And i think thats good.... Someone who posts by the name BSD wrote below that punk was all about formula - probably the most idiotic comment I have ever seen on this site. Yeah, this no where near compares to the old work, even recipe for hate and stranger than fiction which have really grown on me. The music is the same, yet the lyrics seem a little dumbed down. Also on this record I think they overused the same backing harmoy a few times. Oh well, I'll still listen to it alot, because its better than the New America. Los Angeles is burning is a great song though, and they should write more like that. I just don't get you people here. just wondering... The only good religion is Bad Religion. this shit is pretty sick, i'd say its as good as TPOB. Its darker i'd say. Lots of variety, some slow songs, some real fast ones. It comes blazing out of the gates like TPOB for a few tracks then the single hits midway through, then the slower more experimental stuff is on the second half. Outstanding lyrically. This is in their top 5 albums. So is TPOB. Great album, and everyone that says it sounds the same is an idiot, I have seen just about as many people say that they won't get it because they have changed. The lyrics are amazing and so are the melodies. why do people keep reviewing bands that no one has ever heard of? I didn't TahoeJeff has never ever made fun of a band or criticsized one in any way. Because we all know stating that you think a band sucks because all of their music sounds the same makes you an elitist. Maybe he typed it from memory? A quote from a Bad Religion conversation: Best punk band ever, hands down..I like their whole discography and punk would not be the same without them. BSD is the one your first dad caught your mom with. man but what about Spazz and that song where 15 seconds in it's like "ohhhhhhhh sheeeeeeit"? I think that the 20 some minutes that make up "La Revancha" are better than the hours of material that I could listen to by BR. The thing is, I'd never call them contrived, because, well, any band that finds its own sound and pretty much sticks with it could be called "contrived". In all sincerity, this disc will cater to fans of Bad Religion and do nothing to change the minds of those who believe that their sound is contrived and self referential to.. well.. the rest of their catalog. is it me or does underoath's new stuff sound like what taking back sunday should've sounded like? Oh man speaking of D.R.I. and thrash/crossover, has anyone reviewed the re-releases of Cryptic Slaughter's first two albums? A quote from a Bad Religion conversation: This album is about as likely to start a revolution as the last Britney Spears album. all of you saying they should of quit a long time ago i say this you have high standerds so lower them they are after all only human. and if you want them to quit write bad religion caluiber songs about maybe 150 then come to me and ill say you were right...till then fuck off Oh man speaking of D.R.I. and thrash/crossover, has anyone reviewed the re-releases of Cryptic Slaughter's first two albums? 'LA is Burning' is a pretty decent song but I just don't think Bad Religion is relevant anymore... I mean, they've been playing the same song for two-freakin'-decades. Thank you Bad Religion. The new album is wonderful beyond words can describe! I don't know what other positive comments I could give that haven't already been given on here, but BR is truly great. And to all the people that are complaining that BR sounds the same, you'd all be complaining that it was different if they totally changed their style. When all is said and done, just ignore all the outside BS and listen to music and lyrics and if the songs are good songs that you enjoy and make you think a little bit, thats what matters. *ahem* I don't know who sings it, but the line "I don't think I'm a jerk but I belong in a jerk store" definately deserves a thumbs up. on a completely different note... I don't want to hate this band because I know they are legends but I just can't get into their music. This album is good, not great, but good nonetheless. From track 10 on it kind of goes downhill, but here are the highlights: D.R.I. = DIRTY ROTTEN IMBECILES pioneers of fusing punk/hardcore/thrash - formed in '82. I'm not down with the cool abbreviations so i dunno what DRI is. But it's stupid how you can't make a plus sign on this website... mmm...to the comment just below: well my theroy went down the toilet. Brett said something about this new batch of cds are trying to bring back that holy trilogy feel (Suffer / No Contol / ATG). sorry i didn't mention it before, adam, great review. you really are right on with your assessment. "This makes no sense to me. There are a BILLION bands which sound exactly like the Ramones, but they always get bad reviews and tons of criticism - but when Bad Religion turns out yet another CD that sounds exactly the same people call it the "album of the year." "It's only June...there's still Tiger Army, Lars Frederiksen, Social Distortion, Propagandhi...." to the guy who said something about the new Propagandhi album ... we all know we won't be seeing that for at least another year "This makes no sense to me. There are a BILLION bands which sound exactly like the Ramones, but they always get bad reviews and tons of criticism - but when Bad Religion turns out yet another CD that sounds exactly the same people call it the 'album of the year.'" This makes no sense to me. There are a BILLION bands which sound exactly like the Ramones, but they always get bad reviews and tons of criticism - but when Bad Religion turns out yet another CD that sounds exactly the same people call it the "album of the year." i listened to another abyss for 40 minutes before my baseball game, and did really good. Someone actually read what I typed...geez. Why is it when people write bad reviews about an album, they always use the line "It sounds like all their other records"...? Last I checked, most band's music tends to sound the same because it is their style... Brooks Wackerman for president!!! Seriously, that guy's energy is saving some of these songs. Great album, though. Sure is THE best album of 2004 yet. I really have nothing else to say cause this is by all credible sources considered as such and people bashing on this site don't even know what Bad Religion has done and still does to Punk Rock music. It invented a sound that bands like NOFX,Offspring,Pennywise,TenFootPole,Green Day, used for their success. Now tell me Greg G and Brett are no geniuses at what they do. Now go back, and listen to UNDERGROUND music. How cool. Ha. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised this review has gotten a lot of attention, but thanks for reading anyways. I'll respond to a few comments. this album is good. Fuck this ! "It's just like Dexter Holland. Just because he has a degree doesn't mean." ...ahem....doesn't mean they're right. for me it was all downhill for these guys after stranger than fiction. i'm not saying they suck or anything but i can't discern one album from the next, save a few songs here and there. for me suffer, how could hell, stranger, recipe, and against the grain are tops.... the rest of it.... ehhh. i'll pick this one up though, just based on the review. seriously good review, i'd like to see more of em like this one on punknews. This album is awesome, I'm pleased they are trying new things (blending songs into the next one in a couple of places), took me awhile to get my head around the guest vocals on Let Them Eat War - but still very good (it has been done before you know). its true. they dont sound intelligent, just like they are trying really hard to impress you with thier infinite music knowledge. problem with pitchfork is thier reviewers try so hard to use all this imagery and make themsleves sound all intelligent. its rare that you can find a straightforward review on that site without all the fluffy "imgine back to the days when..." shit. i hate pitchfork. stuck up snotty assholes. but yes, their rating system is much better. Can these guys get more boring??? Why yes they can. Better writing on this one, same boring music-oldpunker- To the guy saying Pitchforks reviews are inconsistent; would you rather they all agreed together on how they'll rate a record? I work on a popular webzine and most people on the staff look down on punk records like Pitchfork probably will to this one. When I reviewed Offspring's last album for the site and gave it a 5 I got shit from other staff members for rating it 'too high'. So if staff consistency occured, I'd have rated that record even worse, which would just enforce the opinion that sites like Pitchfork are just indie cool kids. I agree with a majority of the comments. Sounds promising...I might check it out, even though most Bad Religion albums sound alike. I love the way bands like this make the realities of America appear so simple, but i gurantee, half the people who pby this will vote for Bush. Or vote for Kerry. There are more options than having a totally right wing 2 party system. Try voting for someone in the centre ground like the liberals, or, be really crzy and vote for someone on the left like socialists. (note, liberalism, is not left wing) Well, as AG said it best: The sequencing on the album kind of sucks. I can't figure out why they'd smash almost all the fast songs into the begining. Maybe two in a row, but you can't put all your eggs in one bastket. I'm not so sure why everyone thinks Pitchfork is the most credible review site. I mean, they gave Jay-Z's Black album an 8.0, which was higher than Liscensed to Ill, and way higher than The Weakerthans 'reconstruction site' (5.6 i think). That's just one example that I can think of off the top of my head, but I just see them as very inconsistent between all their staff reviewers, not to mention their reviews aren't consistently informative as well. "screaming liberty spiked child molestor (jorge of the casualties) " Eh, MRR doesn't do much for me. They are usually radically left, and intolerant of anybody else, which puts a bad image on punk. "also i'd rather take political advice from a doctor (graffin) , than a screaming liberty spiked child molestor (jorge of the casualties)" okay....................first of all.......................fuck everyone who compares old bad religion to new bad religion.. I like, they don't reinvent the globe but its still good. MRR are alright but their gullible as fuck and never in on the joke. I think I remember reading a TY interview with the F.U.'s from the mid-80's and the fact that they were sarcastically singing songs about loving America went completely over his head. MRR said thee best thing about Greg Graffin (I wish I could find the quote)...it was along the lines of "The man is no longer in the radical left, and was probably never to begin with. He just thinks he still is." better than anything that has come out this year. What? anyone who honestly things Bad Religion is just rehashing the same ol' thing with every release obviously is not listening hard enough. Few bands tender to the details as much as BR do, and for those who only grade on a superficial curve, there's a whole lot you're missing... "Incredibly formulaic, even by Bad Religion standards. "Nah, new Strung Out, PIB, maybe the Sex Positions CD, or even Break The Silence could easily beat this, this is Bad Religion's 3rd worst CD(which isn't really that bad, i'd still give it five stars)" this album made me dance!! MUCH better than the prosses of belief! that one kinda dissapointed me... but this album is highly recomended! y'all "This is the best record of 2004, I'm calling it now because this is what everyone needs to hear. The messages this album conveys are exactly what people need to pay attention to. There is nothing trite, common place, or average about what this band has to say. I don't care whether you think Bad Religion is too hyped up by people or their music isn't as amazing as everyone makes it out to be, you still need to read the lyrics. I think the review for this cd is one of the most fair I've ever read on the site, great review. Every song on this cd is gold not just because the songs themselves sound amazing, but because the lyrics are what make it what it is. This album is relevant in every sense of the word to society, politics, religion, and all the fucked up problems they create. Great record, but I dont think it's as good as Process of Belief. This sounds like they've just sped up the atlantic style, and not the good atlantic like Recipe For Hate, Stranger Than Fiction or Gray Race, this sounds like a faster version of New America, although not as bad as no substance(I own every Bad Religion but that one, and I refuse to buy it). But...this still deserves 5 stars, cuz the golden bad religion cds(Suffer, No Control, Against The Grain, and Generator) would get 10s on a 5 point scale, they are the best punk cds ever made. And other than no substance there is no bad religion cd that should be below a five. I would like to point out that The Empire Strikes First is available for 7.99 from Audiolunchbox, and DRM-free, indie music online store. Bad Religion should have called it quits a LONG,LONG,LONG time ago and with this new release it's just the same old song and dance we've been hearing for the last 20 something years. Fifth best Bad Religion album. Disappointed. "Don't ask me how I remember this, but Brooks Wackerman used to be in this all-kids hair-metal band when he was like 14, and the kid that was in Terminator 2 that played Butnik on Salute Your Shorts was the singer. I actually bought the CD. I wonder where that went.... The guitar player was some prodigy that studied under Steve Vai, too. I wish I could remember the name" Great review, great album, better than TPOB by far. one of the...if not the best album to come out this year Don't wanna live Haha, the 'all there isssss-uhhhh' sounds like a pop group singer.. imagine him grabbing his crotch JT style singing it. I want more double bass... moooooooore!! Good album... not great, but good. damn good album, i'll pick this up soon Honestly, in a musical sense this album is light years ahead of the process of belief. There is a tight harmony that flows through the entire album. Athiest Peace, quite possibly my favorite track on the cd. this album made me dance!! MUCH better than the prosses of belief! that one kinda dissapointed me... but this album is highly recomended! y'all Probable Pitchforkmedia.com score - 5.7 out of 10 I was really excited about this, but it's just another Bad Religion "formula" album. There are a couple of standout tracks but the rest is just MORE of the same... and some of the songs are sort of stupid (like "Sinister Rouge"). Incredibly formulaic, even by Bad Religion standards. Don't ask me how I remember this, but Brooks Wackerman used to be in this all-kids hair-metal band when he was like 14, and the kid that was in Terminator 2 that played Butnik on Salute Your Shorts was the singer. I actually bought the CD. I wonder where that went.... The guitar player was some prodigy that studied under Steve Vai, too. I wish I could remember the name.... "All There Is" is a good song until Graffin makes "is" a two syllable word. Bad Religion own everyone here, sexually. picked this up this morning. excellent record. highly recommended. This album is awesome. Not as good as Process of Belief but still a very solid release. Though I don't care for let them eat war and i'm still getting used to los angeles is burning. But pretty much the solid output everyone expected. I didnt know a BR B-Sides album came out today, cool!........... Am I only person that thinks this album is shit. The first few songs are strong, most notably "Sinister Rouge" but then the album really begins to suck. "All There Is" is a good song until Graffin makes "is" a two syllable word. This is the best record of 2004, I'm calling it now because this is what everyone needs to hear. The messages this album conveys are exactly what people need to pay attention to. There is nothing trite, common place, or average about what this band has to say. I don't care whether you think Bad Religion is too hyped up by people or their music isn't as amazing as everyone makes it out to be, you still need to read the lyrics. I think the review for this cd is one of the most fair I've ever read on the site, great review. Every song on this cd is gold not just because the songs themselves sound amazing, but because the lyrics are what make it what it is. This album is relevant in every sense of the word to society, politics, religion, and all the fucked up problems they create. The "LA Is Burning" music video is a PUMAT between the opening credits to You Can't Do That On Television, the Twisted Metal videogames, and a NoFX album cover. How can you say the first BR was nothing new? I really like this album, but can't get over the weird thing Graffin does with his voice on "All there is"... Because pop-hardcore guys should reinvent themselves when what they do works? Fuck you. meh excellent excellent album. I recall a few years ago during the No Substance period my friends put me down endlessly for continuing to call Bad Religion my favourite band. They called the last album a fluke. I'm proud to say I stuck by BR. Maybe I just haven't listened to it enough yet, but it's falling into the category of "a good Bad Religion album" for me instead of "a great Bad Religion album" [i.e. Process Of Belief, Stranger Than Fiction]. This cd fucking rocks. Kickass review too. LA is burning is good - it uses metaphor! Amazing album. I don't know where it ranks among the other Bad Religion albums since I don't even know which one is my favorite......I love them all. It's Bad fucking Religion! at first i didn't like it that much but in the end, it really grew on me! pick this up! Well worth the hype. Think Suffer with amazing production. Beyond Electric Dreams and Boot Stamping on A Human Face Forever have quickly become two of my favorite BR songs ever! The title track uses the same beat as 21st Century Digital Boy and The Biggest Killer In American History, but hey, better BR rips themselves off rather than almost every other punk band of the past 15 years... Live Again preaches like something from Against The Grain. The Quickening is the ONLy song i can't get into. Every other song is fucking gold! no lie. This reminds me of a mix between TBOP and New America...the tempo is definitely strained at points. It's good, not GREAT, but then again TPOB was my favorite of 2002. Shit, I love this fucking record, after listening to this I realized that I liked the last three or four bad religion records simply because it was bad religion, after listening to this, I have come to the conclusion that most of their recent shit has ben subpar. I bought this three hours ago and I've listened to it three times already! I finally realized with this release that Bad Religion are indeed one of my favorite bands. Good review. I'll be picking this one up this weekend fo' sho I really hope i agree with the review on this one. God's Love and To Another Abyss are excellent, excellent songs. Awesome review. I'm pickin' it up today. |
