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Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)
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A Change of Pace was about halfway through their set at the Knitting Factory when I arrived. Now, granted, I think we've given the band enough shit, but their fashion schtick made me groan little. Most of the dudes were decked out in these white get-ups, while the frontman looked like he raided Gerard Way's closet. They commanded a couple (2) fans up front that were singing along with every words; another 30-40 people were scattered throughout the room, some mildly tapping their feet or nodding their head. Through stifling laughter I recognized that song where they junk Thursday's "Cross Out the Eyes" riff ("Loose Lips Sink Ships"); I remember them introducing "Weekend Warriors" too, as well as a siqq, brootal metalcore breakdown that sounded like their producer handed them a Solid State release and said "Do this once in a while."

Maybe it's just because I've come to expect it of them, but I wasn't floored by Moneen like I'd been in past performances. Their live show is always an entertaining catch though due to their sheer energy, and here it was no different, charged by frontman Kenny Bridges literally bouncing off the walls sandwiching the tiny stage. It was surprising to hear the opening piano clinks of "Start Angry...End Mad" kick things off, but as it's one of the best cuts in a live setting, it was a treat all the same. There were several long-time superfans up front and geeking out, and they were acknowledged well as the band dove into a few selections of older material, and not just "Tonight, I'm Gone..." and "The Passing of America" (the latter of which had Bridges come down to the floor to sing a majority of the song right there with the crowd) -- I *think* that other song was "The Wrath of the Donkey Remix," but I can't make any guarantees. However, the set's best part might've come during the encore: the entirety of "The Last Song I Will Ever Want to Sing." Bridges' last words of "smile; do something" left a good, clean and complete feeling in the air.

Set list (unordered, probably inaccurate when mentioned):

  • Start Angry...End Mad [opener]
  • Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do [played second]
  • If Tragedy's Appealing, Then Disaster's an Addiction [played third I believe]
  • Are We Really Happy with Who We Are Right Now?
  • Tonight, I'm Gone...
  • Bleed and Blister (version 3)
  • The Passing of America
  • The Wrath of the Donkey Remix (?)
  • This Is All Bigger Than Me
  • Encore:
  • The Last Song I Will Ever Want to Sing
Even though The Red Tree is Moneen's best album yet I'm just not entirely sure I'll ever see them top their 2004 gig supporting Northstar at the Long Island stop. Still, they haven't lost much along the way, continuing to deliver a rollicking, hour-plus set of passionate and high-energy rock that stands to be so criminally underrated.



People who liked this also liked:
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    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 23, 2006 at 5:47 PM (EDT)

    brian, did u see their show @ continental 5 or 6 months before the downtown w/ northstar? that was pretty insane...

    Posted by blake88 on 2006-10-18 01:12:50

    i miss moneen even tho ive seen them 4x in 2006 and about a gagillion times before that they need to come back to brampton. i cant believe moneennerd hasnt commented on this yet. loser.

    Posted by at_the_drive_in_21 on 2006-10-18 01:01:44
    My Score:

    Long time Moneen superfan here (that loves geeking out up front, no less). After the first few spins of The Red Tree, I thought it was far and away their best work. However, if I'm in the mood to hear the band, Are We Really Happy... is what I tend to reach for more often these days, even though I've heard it far more. The last few tracks on The Red Tree tend to lag a bit to me.

    That being said, I plan on seeing them 3 times in November. Southern Ontarioooo!

    Posted by Jim_Neighbors on 2006-10-18 00:07:08

    I've seen Moneen 6 times, and they get better each time. I've been a fan of theirs for over 3 and a half years, I have all their CD's and I agree with the people who said The Red Tree is their best work.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 11:24 PM (EDT)

    Amazing band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 5:48 PM (EDT)

    That's cool they played "This is All Bigger Than Me". That's probably the best song on the album.

    Posted by mikeinflames on 2006-10-17 16:21:39

    you people smoke too much crack
    the red tree is moneen's best album

    Posted by mfOHIO on 2006-10-17 15:12:55

    definately not their best album ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 2:52 PM (EDT)

    I don't know if I'd count three years as just having started listening to Moneen, which doesn't matter either way as The Red Tree is entirely more powerful and concise than anything they've done. Harmonial Value just gets way white noisy for my liking.

    -Brian/InaG

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 12:04 PM (EDT)

    did you just start listening to moneen?
    this is not their best album,not even close.

    score is for kenny and his oarnge shirt.

    Posted by mikeinflames on 2006-10-17 11:43:41

    i love moneen and agree that they are one of the best live bands going today
    but it's true that the break in passing ... can run a little long
    last time i saw them (when they opened for saves the day) it went on for almost (what seemed like) 10 minutes

    Posted by ben_conoley on 2006-10-17 09:57:08

    Monee's show in Fredericton was great. The break in Passing was super long though, almost to the point of boredom.

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-10-17 00:49:07
    My Score:

    Moneen are superb live as well.

    Posted by maverick on 2006-10-17 00:21:09

    No "The Day No One Needed To Know?" I call shenanigans!

    -Scott