Against Me!

Against Me!: New Wave [Deluxe Edition]New Wave [Deluxe Edition] (2008)
Fargo

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: JeloneJelone
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on June 20th 2008Les heritiers des Clash et de Springsteen reontrent le producteur du 'Nevermind' de Nirvana. The last year or two has been rough for Against Me! fans; sometimes I feel like "apologists" would be a better word. AM! signed to a major label after years of staunch DIY-ism (oh nos!), released a well-pro.

Les heritiers des Clash et de Springsteen reontrent le producteur du 'Nevermind' de Nirvana.

The last year or two has been rough for Against Me! fans; sometimes I feel like "apologists" would be a better word. AM! signed to a major label after years of staunch DIY-ism (oh nos!), released a well-produced record (where are the pickle buckets? Oh nos 2x!!), put out a few music videos that ranged from OK ("White People for Peace") to deeply, deeply shitty (those attractively dressed kids from "Thrash Unreal" can rim me), and toured with some strange bedfellows (Serj Tankian, Mastodon, Sage Francis in the last year). This month, the group re-released last year's New Wave, that major label record that every dang body either loves or loathes, on French label Fargo Records. Giving the French something as special as five bonus tracks is treason in my book, but the AM! men saw fit to let us Yanks track down the rerelease via mailorder, so my mercy is quick.

I'm not going to bother with a track-by track breakdown of New Wave's original 10 songs, even though I love the album and am disheartened by Punknews's review of it. Two stars is a travesty, especially since the reviewer, Justin, seems to have pretty good taste in music. Dude digs the Menzingers, the Weakerthans and the Gaslight Anthem. Surely he is the sort of person who should be teaching our nation's children about love and burritos.

But I would like to say the following before moving on: Sire, home to such not very punk acts as the Ramones, Richard Hell and the Voidoids and the Replacements, may have coughed up the corporate cash to pay for New Wave, but I don't care. The intolerant punk stream pushed Tom Gabel out and he pushed back by making his band bigger and broader. I hope every close-minded crusty-ass motherfucker hears these tracks and realizes that his and/or her former favorite punk band isn't writing punk songs anymore and couldn't care less about it. Take in the jammy tides of "Ocean," the dramatic balladry of "Bourne on the FM Waves of the Heart," the slow burn of "Thrash Unreal." They're all incredible.

Butch Vig lent a deft touch to these recordings, layering the fuck out of the songs and making a remarkable, to-the-point modern rock record. For the band's part, they're still doing what they've always done -- writing about politics and the music industry and drugs and girls. Their lives, basically. So while Justin may feel that the album is "frustrating" and "smug," all I hear is nine great-to-amazing catchy rock tracks and one goofy-ass grinder (I may be a superfan, but I'll call bullshit on "Animal").

And now finally, finally, finally onto the B-sides: three out of the five ("Gypsy Panther," "Full Sesh," and "You Must Be Willing") already saw releases on the limited seven-inches for "Stop!", "White People for Peace" and "Thrash Unreal," respectively, but it's nice to have all of them together in one place. "Gypsy Panther" is the most immediate of the B-sides. New Wave played it safe, minus "Animal" and maybe "Ocean," by going for steady rock songs, and I can't help but feel that, had "Gypsy Panther" replaced "Animal" or a lesser cut like "Piss and Vinegar," the record would have been even better. Gabel has written a fair amount of songs about being in a band, but most of them tend towards the negative aspects, like angry fans and corporate temptations. "Gypsy Panther" captures a more even-keeled angle, though, regarding the touring lifestyle. "Coming home feels like surrender," Gabel sings, but at the same time he finds it hard to stay in one place. Throw on top self-doubt about rallying change ("Did you think the world would bend for you? / Did you think that you could really change yourself?") and some tasty 16-note drum measures from percussionist Warren Oakes, and you've got a much more satisfying song about the music biz than "Stop!" or "Piss and Vinegar." It's cathartically right up there with "Even at Our Worst We're Still Better Than Most (The Roller)" for me.

"So Much More," which is available for streaming on the band's MySpace, continues the band profile approach. Its recording is a little on the overproduced side, so I can see why it might have been left off, but the gist of the song -- it's only rock 'n' roll, but Gabel likes it -- is affecting. That Gabel could write a Replacements-style song that essentially says he doesn't care how many fans come and go without being a prick about it is a bonus too. The real surprise, though, is that Gabel not only wrote a pop-rock song, but wrote a damn good one at that.

"Full Sesh" is a slow-churning, sludgy groover like "Animal" but without the tediousness. The guitars snarl and the drums pound, but bassist Andrew Seward is the one who sounds the coolest. His bass grinds everything else in the chorus, sounding ominously cool. When Gabel sings "You cannot match determination like this," I really just think of Seward's head bouncing up and down as he beats his instrument.

Track 14, "Untitled" is a quick ode to the artists that have inspired Gabel as a writer. While it's a catchy tune, its brevity keeps it from developing too much. Still a nice addition, though. "You Must Be Willing" closes out the CD. Haunting vocals and twinkling piano accompany Gabel's idea for all to know life in totality -- "a volume that cannot be denied," "an emotion that you cannot fake" and "greatness unanimously acknowledged." It's vague in its attempt to sketch out how to find such euphoria, but that's the beauty of an idea -- there's plenty of ways to reach satori.

Against Me! is my Clash, my righteous call to arms. Gabel is every bit as conflicted about going mainstream as Joe Strummer; whether or not he can reunite his personal beliefs with his business practices like Strummer did is yet to be determined. He's gotten a lot more isolated from his audience; his stage banter is nearly nonexistent when he plays Philadelphia now. Or anywhere. But these new recordings are like a conversation with him, which I love. On a track-by-track evaluation, I can see why each of these B-sides didn't make it on to New Wave. But when presented as a whole, it's interesting to think what would have happened had an entire chunk of the record been swapped. The result would have been a much more challenging album, one that strayed even further from punk stereotypes, and I'd love to see Against Me! pursue that style on Sire LP #2.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

pops1282 (July 17, 2008)

I'm in China, so i'm feeling open minded. I didn't think this was nearly the best from this band, but i resepect it grately. It is NOT a sellout record...it is a stab at revolution.....what so many against me! fans saw in them, this is the path...like it or not...to bring about some kind of change circa 1990's Nirvana.......germans would call it a zeitgeist....not sure if i spelled it right.......not sure if it will live up to the hopes....but damn wouldn't it be great..........to the critics, i hear you, but keep an open mind....to the young......music is different with age, but i understand....but this band is honest, as much as you get in this industry...

Delaksa (July 3, 2008)

this album is good. same msg as other albums just a different sound dickheads.

Ruki (July 2, 2008)

I will never listen to against me. Not because they sold out - anyone who uses those two words in a serious matter need to shut the fuck up because they aren't YOUR band, they don't play music for you most likely so go cry about it with your punk friends while discussing how many punk scene points you have as you're stroking each others penises I mean egos. It's because Tom Gabel is a bitch and should still be getting buttraped in jail.

wentz_equals_death (June 26, 2008)

i just paid $30 to get the japanese version of the new boris album

Nebraska (June 26, 2008)

i'm tired of hearing people say against me is evolving or progressing. no dude, selling out is not equal to growing up musically. writing radio friendly bro jams like "Thrash Unreal" (blech) is not evolution. it's called cashing in, and it's not tight.

"Beautiful to live in poverty, Just to spite what they're selling"

Jeevz (June 24, 2008)

This album fucking sucks, it's for a different set of listeners. Some old Against Me fans like it a lot I'm sure, not me. I see through the corporate cash grab, Against Me should set up a string of tour dates with The Offspring. Same fucking shit.

Jeevz (June 24, 2008)

I agree with you to a certain extent paulrulzdood. I'm 29 years old and do appreciate the evolution of music and the musicians playing it. I understand that music is one of the most opinionated forms of media so that's what you got, MY OPINION!! FUCK!

SloaneDaley (June 24, 2008)

I feel the exact same way as you Paul except that I'd reverse my scores for Cowboy and New Wave.

paulrulzdood (June 24, 2008)

Jeevz, it's called in opinion, god, how many times do we have to point that out on this website?

I think its better than "eternal cowboy", sorry. "eternal cowboy" is like 20 minutes long, has a few duds, a pointless instrumental and only about 4 standouts (sink florida sink, TSR!, cliche guevera and turn clapping hands into angry fists). its a good album, almost as good as "new wave" but not quite.

Either way, "axl rose" and "clarity" are my favorite AM! albums, its not like I think "new wave" is the shit, i give it a 7/10. its not dog shit, its not the second coming of christ. its a solid rock album.

As for that other dude that posted about how they've "alienated all of their fans", thats your opinion too, but I"ve been listening to AM! since 2003, and while that doesn't make me an "OG" AM! fan, it means i've been listening to them since before the hype and they haven't alienated me at all.

The screaming Tom with sloppy drums and folk punk anarchist rah rah rah angst may be what you want to hear out of AM! forever, but I'm 28 and like Tom, like to grow and evolve my tastes just as Tom has evolved his music style. You can't expect a 28 year old to write the same shit he wrote when he was 21...beliefs, values and opinions change over time as does musical ability and tastes in music. bands evolve. some turn their back when they do, some can deal with it. Or do you prefer all bands to be like Pennywise for example and just crank out the same style of music album after album? if so, then good for you, but I prefer evolution.

And after being insulted by fans have having their shit vandalized by fans that feel like "Tom cheated on me! he sold out!" I'd be like "fuck you dorks too, I'm gonna write what I want" too and probably never devolve back to that immature anarchist punk they used to write, which was awesome to me 5 years ago, but some people grow up. like Tom.

paul

Searching for Former Clarity 8/10
Reinventing Axl Rose 8/10
New Wave 7/10
Eternal Cowboy 6/10

VictorIkpeba24 (June 24, 2008)

Oh my world, this is ok.

Jeevz (June 24, 2008)

Bullshit!

Jeevz (June 24, 2008)

Better than "As The Eternal Cowboy"? Give me a fucking break! This album is for a different audience, Against Me! has alienated all it's old fans with this schlock rock. I didn't like it then and I dislike it even more now.

Nebraska (June 24, 2008)

my disliking of the album aside, this review is horrible.

iandisurvive (June 23, 2008)

A bad album that completely scrubs away anything appealing about Against Me's rag-tag folk punk by burying it under thick sheen of high gloss "california smile." Whats unfortunate are the frequent "what could have been" moments, because glimpses of brilliance are audible under the unfocused, guilt ridden generalized observations about modern society. Yet another disappointment from Sire, whose much trumpeted resurrection has so far only produced a string of high profile disappointments.

paulrulzdood (June 23, 2008)

solid, solid record, but I don't think its the be-all end-all of new millenium punk nor do I think its the shit sandwich that most people size it up as. A solid 7/10. not as good as "searching for a former clarity" but better than "as the eternal cowboy".

"ocean" is amazing, as is "thrash unreal" and "new wave". those are the only 3 songs worth shitting your pants over though, in my opinion.

billnye (June 23, 2008)

scotty you writin an article about life on the road? shit that should be wild as fuck

maverick (June 22, 2008)

Great band, great record, great B-sides (especially "You Must Be Willing"), great review. Can't wait to watch them for a week straight later this summer when I go on Warped Tour.

-Scott

ThoughtriotAF578 (June 22, 2008)

i listsened to this for the first time in a few months a couple days ago, and it wasn't nearly as good as i remembered. oh well.

SloaneDaley (June 22, 2008)

I think Dante has a point, as much as I think this is a painfully average album and Tom has made some asshole comments I don't think they have turned into evil money grubbing bastards they just want to make a living as musicians. Plenty of bands release European, Japanese, and Australian exclusive versions of their records and sometimes make them available via mail order to other regions or even carry copies on tour or in their online store.

that being said, I still think a legit b-sides collection should have waited to be made after their next Sire album. Perhaps Sire will put one out anyways with these songs on it.

dante3000 (June 22, 2008)

i cant even begin to explain how contradictory that statement is

Uhm...how? Chuck Ragan has stuff that is only available in Germany that he makes available in the US. It's not a US release, it's not sold in US stores or distributed in the US (outside of mailorder) or done by a US label. Taking the time to make sure that people who really want it can order it doesn't make it a US release.

fallingupwards84 (June 22, 2008)

This isn't New Wave 2.0 for America, it's a French release, that the band is making available for their American audience

i cant even begin to explain how contradictory that statement is

dante3000 (June 22, 2008)

however, what the reviewer seems to fail to mention in the rather trite appeal to the calls of selling out are the fact that this album came out in 2007 and there's a deluxe re-issue with paltry bonus tracks that, were this a hawthorne heights record, would be called out on bullshit by just about everyone here.

No Colin doesn't have a point. This isn't a deluxe reissue for America. It's for France, and it's the very first time it has been in sold exclusively to France (I guess if the French really wanted it they could have navigated interpunk or something).

They had in their contract that either Warner Brothers distributed or they got to pick a label to do it. Warner Brothers said this wouldn't sell in France, so they weren't going to distribute it there. As part of the contract the band then had the right to choose a label they wanted to have distribute it. So Against Me! picked Fargo records and (I'm assuming to help them out, since they're apparently helping AM! out by selling an album that won't sell in France) they're including the unreleased tracks on it.

This isn't New Wave 2.0 for America, it's a French release, that the band is making available for their American audience. They have it available for sale on tour for about $15 (I think) which isn't bad considering how the dollar is getting it's ass kicked in the world market right now. And besides, it's not like 99% of their fans (and enemies) haven't downloaded these songs already.

If you don't like the album or whatever that's fine (I would even argue this album doesn't need a review) but to act like this is some act of ego or some cash grab is uninformed and wrong.
-Dante

Rastid (June 22, 2008)

omg DELUXE?!???!?!!!!

GlamBalam (June 22, 2008)

Isn't Fargo that funny guy in Eureka?

BrandonSideleau (June 22, 2008)

I have only listened to two Against Me! albums- Reinventing Axel Rose and New Wave....and I must say I actually like them both. Everybody has got their own valid opinion.....but I can understand the Clash reference. By no means are Against Me! as good as The Clash....but the music and even the way the albums have changed is similar for sure. The difference between "Reinventing..." and "New Wave" is similar to the vast difference between "Give 'em Enough Rope" and "Combat Rock".....both albums are fantastic (regardless of how mainstream and meandering Combat Rock may be.) And, I really enjoyed New Wave- sure it's blatantly radio-friendly....but the songs are too good to ignore....."Stop!" and "White People For Peace" are some of the catchiest damn songs I've heard in a while. And, be honest, if this was released on No Idea you guys wouldn't be as pissed. Don't get me wrong....I agree that major labels really can butcher a band and strip them of their soul....but as I previously mentioned this is one of those rare cases where the band changes their sound and it actually works (like Combat Rock.) And, for the record, I'm not gonna buy this....the only re-release I'm buying is "New Maps Of Hell"....and that's only because the new songs really are just that good...especially "Adam's Atoms."

GarrettIrish (June 21, 2008)

This sounds like someone who isn't that into the AM! back catalog.I'm not gonna New Wave bash no matter how much I hate it,but there's no need to write a review bashing all the kids who felt that AM! left us behind,and the "Deluxe Edition" is basically just one more hit for us.

Why does this warrant it's own review?

briennis (June 21, 2008)

bo-ring

Johnny_Quest (June 21, 2008)

I think their selloutz

misterspike (June 21, 2008)

I still say "Ocean" is AM!'s own "Three Days".

Jesus_H_Christ (June 21, 2008)

Not the strongest record but fuck these are the guys who wrote "Walking is Still Honest" and "Impact".

I'm sorry. I've been smoking pot.

telegraphrocks (June 21, 2008)

Who fucking cares if the band even thought of it?

Why waste your time and life bitching about what some fucking band is doing?

Listen to it, or don't. Simple as that.

fallingupwards84 (June 21, 2008)

Colin - maybe the band DID approve it? everyone here is assuming that this is totally the labels doing... but given the actions of this band over the past couple years, i wouldn't doubt that the band fully supported this

colin (June 21, 2008)

You know majors release different versions of practically everything they do overseas with a few more tracks added on. Why they called this a deluxe reissue and not just the European release is beyond me, but that's essentially what it is.

yeah, good point on this. but that last part - they DID call it a deluxe re-issue, and not just the european release. major labels aren't idiots, it's an a&r team that does that sort of wording, probably so it gets a bit more press and can grab the fans the band has made or been borderline with since they started getting bigger.

either way though, i'm surprised a band who wants control of their music wouldn't stipulate some sort of cause in a contract where the label might own the masters but band approval is needed before distributing or re-distributing such material.

misterspike (June 21, 2008)

I love AM! but this is some serious bullshit. I have to believe this is the record company trying to milke the kid$. I'm going to hold on to the belief that the band's hands were tied regarding this release somewhat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not one of thoe New Wave bashers, as I think it's a fantastic record ... but this recent rash of re-releasing a record a year (or less) after is ridiculous. To paraphrase Henry Rollins regarding the purchasing of music vs. downloads ... reissues? "Steal that Shit, I say!"

I guess I'm jumping on the "Colin has a point ..." bandwagon on this one.

fallingupwards84 (June 21, 2008)

Yes this album has filler, yes this album is not the best, hell, maybe its even their worst, but goddamn it, its better than most of the shit that floats through the music industry and it has something to say.

on an album with only ten tracks, you shouldn't have any filler

mattramone (June 21, 2008)

Hey Colin, I heard some dude from Taking Back Thrice on A Brand New Thursday had his n00dz leaked - time for a fapfest!

salvation (June 21, 2008)

not any better the second time.

scientistrock (June 21, 2008)

Guys! We're allowed to like it now! Fargo isn't Sire!

Scruffy (June 21, 2008)

"why not just put all these songs on againstme.net and say hey, here's a fun free download, thanks for supporting us?"

You know majors release different versions of practically everything they do overseas with a few more tracks added on. Why they called this a deluxe reissue and not just the European release is beyond me, but that's essentially what it is. If fanboys feel the need to pay import prices instead of downloading the songs, they're the dumb ones.
Every major label Bad Religion album had a Japanese, UK or Australian release with the b-sides included. They just weren't advertised here as deluxe reissues, and us fans got the b-sides off of napster or elsewhere.
This is drastically different from reissuing an album stateside a year later with better art and full lyrics (ironically, what BR is doign right now). And you know I'm about as far from an AM! apologist as you can get.

colin (June 21, 2008)

Cash-in/sellout out deluxe issue - what small-scale release predominantly for France? Yeah, mega cash-in there. Also, the band doesn't control these things, so to mark something down just because the record label decided it do it would be retarded of any reviewer

i agree on some levels - yes, it is relatively small scale, but that won't stop people in america from buying it (now at higher prices due to import status). it's also, however, about the sentiment and standard that's being set. this album came out a year ago. why not just put all these songs on againstme.net and say hey, here's a fun free download, thanks for supporting us? they have been doing a good job with streaming stuff on myspace from this release, though.

it just seems logically there is no reason for this whatsoever. the people who want it need to fork over a buncha bills (chances are they have the original already), and it sets the same precedent that for some reason record labels should continue to pursue re-releasing albums so quickly. bands SHOULD have a say in this sort of thing.

The only point Colin ever has is the end of the stick that's always up his ass.

see, you're the worst type of internet poster. you say insults worthy of an enlightened 13 year old girl and never post anything with merit. the guy above me has a really good point worthy of debate. you've got some petty issue with me and apparently think absent minded remarks are worthy of attention. grow up.

mattramone (June 21, 2008)

"I like the record a lot, but colin's got a point."

The only point Colin ever has is the end of the stick that's always up his ass.

chrisafi (June 21, 2008)

Great review, this albums gets way too much shit as if it were an American Idiot or something. Or a Sing the Sorrow. It's just a good but not the best album the band has made, and its on a major. How that justifies the amount of shit is beyond me.

Points that have been made here:

Cash-in/sellout out deluxe issue - what small-scale release predominantly for France? Yeah, mega cash-in there. Also, the band doesn't control these things, so to mark something down just because the record label decided it do it would be retarded of any reviewer

Everything on here has been done elsewhere better - So has pretty much everything. Okay, so in your opinion AM! has peaked, and alot of this stuff has been done better previously. Don't understand why that justifies it as getting so much shit, this can't be significantly as in much much much shittier, its all in the same vein.

Yes this album has filler, yes this album is not the best, hell, maybe its even their worst, but goddamn it, its better than most of the shit that floats through the music industry and it has something to say. People giving it 1-4/10 are looking for super-punk-cool points (omg sellouts, the treachery) but at the end of the day you need to grow the fuck up

Peace.

historypeats (June 21, 2008)

I like the record a lot, but colin's got a point.

branden (June 21, 2008)

tom gabel is a jerkoff, his music reeks.

ollywood (June 20, 2008)

with a statement like that im sure you'd like to hear what i think is a "rockiing" band

i think queens of the stone age might be the most rocking mainstream band out right now.

im drunk

colin (June 20, 2008)

it seems pretty stupid to keep going on and on about this record. by this time, you either like it or you don't and your reasons are either petty or have merit (both sides of the argument have logical reasons for their opinions).

however, what the reviewer seems to fail to mention in the rather trite appeal to the calls of selling out are the fact that this album came out in 2007 and there's a deluxe re-issue with paltry bonus tracks that, were this a hawthorne heights record, would be called out on bullshit by just about everyone here.

this is a gratuitous release, pointless and self-absorbed to say the least. the fact that a cash-in gets a 9 out of 10 is ridiculous, regardless of one's opinion of the original release.

ollywood (June 20, 2008)

How bout we start saying

"(insert band) won't save rock and roll"

Against Me is good and all but terribly over rated

red_eye_inc (June 20, 2008)

Judging by the size of my neighbor's kid, I'd say the nation's children know enough about burritos already.

This is better than the first review, this album will never sound dated.

fallingupwards84 (June 20, 2008)

score is for the reviewer's comparison of AM to the Clash

fallingupwards84 (June 20, 2008)

NINE STARS?

you kids need to expose yourself to new music if you think this half-ass album is even close to nine stars

thedude (June 20, 2008)

it's nice to see that most of the comments below me didn't get caught up in the scene politics and overly hate or overly love this album. regardless of which side you stand on, there is just no way that this record is anything of an extreme. it's a middle-of-the-road, straight-and-arrow rock record, and nothing is polarizing about it. the only thing polarizing about this record is everyone's perception of why this record sounds the way it does.

as many are saying below me, i don't hate this record, i just find it incredibly boring as i would any other straight forward rock record put out by bruce springsteen or anyone else involved in the mainstream rock arena. music like this is why i got interested in "alternative" styles of music (punk, indie, or otherwise). i have always found mainstream rock to be uninteresting, whether the cover of the album says against me! on it or not.

ozmanx (June 20, 2008)

I like this album but for the record, The Clash are my Clash.

Cyanotic (June 20, 2008)

I don't "loathe" this album, I just think it's boring as hell.

mattramone (June 20, 2008)

While I understand how people who care more about scene politics than music got butthurt about the logo on the back cover, I never understood the hate for this album.

Yeah, it ain't the Crime EP, but that's a once-a-generation kinda thing. People are pissed the A students got a B-minus.

And yes, I liked "Animal." Sue me.

Scruffy (June 20, 2008)

To the reviewer and anyone else who says "OMG any1 who doesn't like this album is a reactionary punx who hates it cuz its on a major," some of us actually do honestly dislike this album.
I don't like old AM! I think they peaked with SFAFC. What I have always liked about them is tyhe great sonic leaps they made on each album. When New Wave was about to come out, I had no idea what to expect, save that it wouldn't sound like their old stuff. But it did. Oh, it did.
And THAT's my problem. New Wave sounds like an uninspired AM! cover band. There is nothing new except one dance beat. The lyrics are a rehashing of their most popular songs from the Fat years. There is not a single thing on this album that they didn't do better on EC or SFAFC. I expected a Dear You, and I got a half-assed uninspired attempt at what the band thought their fans wanted.

skaboom (June 20, 2008)

This album has aged pretty well. There's still a couple duds, but I think it's a lot better than everyone initially thought.

telegraphrocks (June 20, 2008)

Love this album.

However, they should've put ALL the songs from the 'New Wave' sessions on here... totally up to 18 or 19 songs.
I still want those other songs, dammit!

Problematiclogic (June 20, 2008)

I hate to be bitter but...

Why bother reviewing this again for some minor bonus features?

And the people that think the B-Sides/ new tracks are better than the main album tracks are deluded.

blip (June 20, 2008)

fairly worthless.

feeeding5000 (June 20, 2008)

Against Me was never good. You guys are all fooling yourselves.

HOISTDATRAG (June 20, 2008)

I'm listening to New Wave now, and there really isn't that much exciting about this album. I feel like 40% has been done better by other bands, 40% has been done better by Against Me! already and 20% is actually good.

Neill_cawley (June 20, 2008)

Some people try to be punk by overly hating this record. Some people try to not be ignorant by overly loving this record.

Bottom line: This record isn't very good. Some tracks are alright/good, some are bad. Overall, it just isn't very good.

automatic333 (June 20, 2008)

man nicely written review, u must wright for more than this?

Cely (June 20, 2008)

Doe's anyone else think that that Alkaline Trio "I Found Away" sounds a bit like Good Charlotte "The River".

Still AK3 have got some good songs on Agony And Irony.

Oh and agreed 5 demo's doesn't make this record anymore than mediocre.

SloaneDaley (June 20, 2008)

I've only heard "Full Sesh" and "You Must Be Willing", I think they are both better songs than the ones I dislike on the original.

I'd give the original album a 3, if they took out "Animal" and "Stop" and put in those two it'd probably be 3 1/2. It would be a miracle for this to be a 4 1/2 or a 5. I like major label releases by other bands, my favourite release isn't Tom's shitty bucket demos it is Searching For A Former Clarity BUT there is nothing on this album that is exciting.

jacknife737 (June 20, 2008)

"I love the album and am disheartened by Punknews’s review of it."

Quoted for truth.

Does interpunk have this?

XCARLUPANDDIEX (June 20, 2008)

score is for the booklet .

too bad the people at Fargo shipped this in shitty packages. mine arrived broken. fuck.