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The Suicide Machines

Steal This Record (2001)
Buena Vista Entertainment

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Christian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on September 26th 2001

I approached "Steal This Record" with cautious enthusiasm. Firm believers in the "never do the same thing twice" theory, the Suicide Machines have puzzled and astonished fans over their enduring 10 year history. What first started out as Rancid-esque ska mixed with gritty punk morphed into power pop with their last self-titled release. Love it or hate it, you have to hand it to the Suicide Machines for taking new strides and deviating from their already successful formula. "Battle Hymns" (1998) is easily among the finest punk releases in the last five years.

"Steal This Record" immediately hits the listener over the head with their current musical direction, poppy hooks and bridges mixed with old school punk riffs and breakdowns. The tracks to follow seem to move from hardcore punk to edgy pop. The track, "Steal This Record," hits with the uncanny aggression and resemblance to "Hating Hate" off of "Battle Hymns." The aptly titled "R.E.M. Song" is a fine rendition of the REM staple, "It's the End of the World (and I Feel Fine)," with Toby from H2O picking up the backing vocals.

The lyrical theme features the pervasive calls to eradicate racism, hate, violence, and intolerance in our world. These issues hit close to home in "Scars," a moving tribute to a fallen friend murdered in Atlanta. "All My People" has a strangely relevant message with what has happened with the terrorist attacks this month: 'If the price of peace is violence, than I'm not gonna buy it…'

"Steal This Record," derived from the 60's activist book "Steal This Book," is an encouraging step into new arenas for The Suicide Machines. These guys won’t be touring your local amphitheater next week, so sit back, enjoy the music and pickup the lyric sheet.

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miff (December 5, 2005)

but then its not as good as some

miff (December 5, 2005)

i like the cover art
i may buy it just for that

Analog_Boy (July 2, 2003)

Perfect Score? Seriously. This alblum in my fair opinion was ... weak. Yes, that would be the word. Seemed like all the songs were somewhat ... rushed. I donno.. I don't even have it but im still going to say it wasn't all that great because i've heard most of the songs. I was more into the DBD style SM.

Anonymous (October 7, 2001)

in case anyone is interested in reading "Steal this Book" , it can be found online for free at this address:

http://tenant.net/Community/steal/steal.html#2.08.3

Anonymous (October 6, 2001)

This album is weak. Suicide Machines have turned into a band that I hear my neighbor's 12 year old daughter listening to everyday before she goes to catholic school. Weak.

Anonymous (October 4, 2001)

"Steal This Book" was written by Abbie Hoffman, Izak Haber, and Bert Cohen in the 70's I think. It's a great book and can almost assuradly be found in any mega-bookstore, and if they dont have it, they can order it. Its really, really funny.- fathead

KirbyPuckett (October 4, 2001)

fathead who is the author of that book?

CIVILDISOBEDIENT (October 3, 2001)

First,I give the music a four simply because its not that good.And secondly, did anyone notice that The Suicide Machines are on Hollywood Records, owned by DISNEY! I for one can not believe how punk rock that is. WOW!

Anonymous (October 2, 2001)

Bleh, its not that great.

Bryne (October 1, 2001)

I haven't heard this album yet. I am a huge fan, so I'm gonna buy it when I get paid today. And I totally agree, Battle Hyms is an amazing record. With the exception of Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come, it is the best punk release of the last 5 years, in my opinion (which is a little bit biased). :)

Anonymous (October 1, 2001)

I have heard a bit of this, and I'm sorry, but covering "It's the end..." is so worn now, that to do it right, you've gotta do it insanely good, which they do not. If this version of it came out within a year or two of the original, it would've been impressive, but its been covered waaaaaayyyyy too much by this point.
also, even if the title came from an old book, The Explosion used a similar title last year, so by now its not funny.

Anonymous (October 1, 2001)

i strongly encourage everyone to read "steal this book". besides dishing out a ton of usefull information on how to fuck the system in the ear, it's also fucking hilarious.- fathead

sickboi (October 1, 2001)

Good review, kudos to you my friend. Awesome cover art. I think the song placement on this album was horrible though. The intro song is good, but would have been much better at track 2 or 3. "Honor amongst thieves" (i believe thats it) would have been a kick ass intro track.