Not their best record, but still a great album.

Posted by jonnycellular on 2008-10-18 06:21:33

CIVIL WAR is to D4 as DEAR YOU is to JAWBREAKER...
AGREE!!!

As Unfun may be ? Cause everything that's not unfun sucks ballz

4/5. somewhat of a disappointment overall , although what with following their best album and such a long time in between releases, it's hard not to live up to expectations. I still eagerly await moar D4.

awesome record, crap review, it's funny that the stream for this album is still on this site.

My favourite, for some reason :/

Posted by jonnycellular on 2008-10-18 06:21:33

CIVIL WAR is to D4 as DEAR YOU is to JAWBREAKER...
AGREE!!!

Awesome review of a pretty good album.

Definitely their best on Fat Wreck so far.

Score is for everything Dillinger Four has ever done or thought about doing.

"They'll thank you when their pantry's empty."

My parent's are living in my guest room... The pantry might be empty, but atleast the fridge is now stocked with Foster's and Rolling Rock all hours of the day.

Score is probably for the album.

It took six years but it was worth it. Best yet. Gainsville is amazing.

I like this review too, but it reads MUCH better when you're intoxicated.

Score is for my discovery.

i like this review, btw

this is still the worst review of 2008. congrats!

It's been slightly over a month since the release of this record, and I must say, it's grown on me. Not the best album of the year, but probably the best of October.

Fuck yes! I have been waiting for this album for years! This album rocks hard. I'm so happy right now. =)

am i the only one who thinks 'The Art of Whore' is about Tom Gabel?

Alright, here's my review: http://whatwehate.typepad.com/what_we_hate/2008/10/dillinger-four ---c-i-v-i-l-w-a-r.html

By no means is it better, it's actually pretty bad... whatever.

this album is fucking amazing. After 6 years of waiting and other great bands putting out some really shitty albums, i was a getting a little skeptical. But D4 never lets you down.

No Fillers on this one! every song is perfectly in place.

illegally downloading is the stupidest, rudest, most un-punk rock thing to do you downloading shit sacks.

Well, it's nice to see that at least someone is a victim of industry propaganda. Give yourself a big pat on the back buddy, you are moron of the month!

Really Paul, you are siding with the RIAA? That's disgusting. I have the album preordered. The RIAA fining me would result in me not buying the album because I couldn't afford the music anymore. In fact, I would have to sell all of my vinyl, CD's, and music gear, and live in poverty for quite some time if that happened. Anyone who supports the RIAA is the enemy.

Christ, i leave this review for about a day and a half, and it's Lord of the Fucking Flies.... well i've got the conk now, and people need to clam the fuck down.

score is for the album.

What?! There's more than ONE singer in the band?! That's not punk! Where's the DIY?! You can't have bandmates helping you out as the frontman!

Why can't we all just get along?

tommy - i guarantee you the vast majority of people reading this review (which is a whole lot higher than the number of people commenting on it) haven't heard the album before, and may never have heard D4 before... just sayin... its not a big deal anyway

fallingupwards84, you are in the minority here, at least as far as waiting to listen to this after its official release. i think i wrote this more for myself than anyone else. after all, i don't know any of you in real life and have to base my assumptions on mostly sarcastic and sometimes clever remarks to our daily news. i don't know how to get through to people on message boards, but i did submit a review with about one paragraph in the middle that describes briefly what i though dillinger four did differently on this record.
punk rock sounds like punk rock to me. if there's metal sprinkled in, then i'll note that. if there's more pop than last time, then i'll notice. but if the only noticeable differences on a record are that it's a bit slower, the production's clearer and more balanced, and one singer sings less often than the other; what does it matter when i can imagine some connection between a song about lower-class living and our current financial crisis, and then throw in a lagwagon reference that doesn't belong there?
why should i have to apologize for trying when no one else did?
well-placed minor threat lyrics.
this review is where it is because other potential reviewers were lazy and unpunctual. i'm not saying staffers were lazy here, because they're already reviewing and working on other shit every week. they're good people. but the rest of you, as long as you're not writing a 1000-word review that could never dream of saying something unflattering about a band, please realize that this is as much your fault as it is mine.

I would have wrote a review, I even got a copy legally a week ahead of teh release but I had jizz all over my hands. No really I just figured someone else would, and I guess a lot of other people thought the same thing too.

"i hope the RIAA finds and jails each and everyone of you that illegally download."
---------------------------------------------

FUCK YOU BUDDY!

I illegally download EVERYTHING when it leaks, and then PURCHASE 95% of it (you know, if it's good or not) once pre-orders or close enough tour dates are announced.

Illegal downloading is godly... unless that's all you do, then yeah, I kind of agree with you.

Score's for hot dogs.

i also didn't illegally download this, I bought it.

illegally downloading is the stupidest, rudest, most un-punk rock thing to do you downloading shit sacks.

"yea, lets steal potential album sale royalties from struggling punk bands, that way we can ensure they'll NEVER make another album again!"

assholes. we all know how to do it, it's those of us like me that refuse to steal from bands that are helping the album to survive. i shudder to think of the day when bands just put songs out randomly for download here and there because the album is no longer a viable format. and you'll have no one but yourselves to blame, but hey, at least you'll have a computer full of shit you stole and a bunch of blank CD's with no album artwork or sleeves. and no one will know the actual lyrics!

i hope the RIAA finds and jails each and everyone of you that illegally download.

Paul

this album is great. most of you suck.

it is slower but vocals are better. it is less aggressive but the melodies are more thoughtful.

they are 6 years older, if you didn't expect SOME variation to their core sound, you are naive. Even the new Pennywise album doens't sound quite like they did on "land of the free?" and those dudes are stalwart in not changing their sound.

can't wait to see them live tomorrow night, stoked they never called it a day.

Paul

I think "Fruity Pebbles" and "Minimum Wage" are pretty weak compared to some of the stuff Paddy has done in the past. "Paris" is awesome though.

Every Erik song is orgasmic.

4.5/5... If Paddy would have delivered I think this would easily have been my fav D4 record.

Come on, there had to have been at least half a dozen submitted..

This was the only one. I shit you not.

i'm just not sure what people want in an album review for a record we've all been listening to for the past two months.

really? we've all been listening to it? not really... some of us haven't heard it yet and were curious about what it sounded like before buying it. just because it leaked doesn't mean everyone illegally downloaded it. next time in your review, please tell us what the album actually SOUNDS like.

this one's good. wasnt a big fan of versus god or situationist comedy.

I LOVED midwestern songs, but this is honestly my favorite Dillinger Four record.

I can't believe this did not get a 10/10. This is certainly better than "Situationist", I would venture to say it is better than "Midwestern", however I cannot proclaim this better than "Versus God" (by far D4's pinnacle). Anyways point being, by far the best release this year and it deserves 5 FUCKING stars!

Haha, too bad the singer changes his voice from song to song, otherwise it would've been 9.5 / 10, haha.

You do realize that not the same person sings all of the songs right?

Haha, too bad the singer changes his voice from song to song, otherwise it would've been 9.5 / 10, haha.

Oh, but it's so much easier just to bitch about it and rip on other people's writing abilities to make yourself feel better?

Y'know, I'm not just saying it to be a jerk, I'm just wondering why they didn't post a review that actually got to the point quickly and concisely. But, cry cry cry anyway. I wrote reviews for a site not too long ago, scenepointblank, and I'm only saying that so I can "drop some cred" for you.

It's not a big deal, I just think this was a crappy attempt at a review, but I at least appreciated the Lagwagon reference.

I don't really get why everyone's so stuck on "Gainsville", that song is great but I don't think it's anywhere near as good as a lot of the other songs. I'm all about "Ode to the North American Snake Oil Distributor."

And my favorite lyric from the entire record is a very simple one that makes me laugh every time.

Paralyzed from the neck up

Score is for this record's artwork.

Huh, I didn't even remember posting about Paddy sounding fat on this album until reading these comments

Anyhoo i'm not sure what i was going on about cause he sounds fine

Please don't blacklist me. :(

no surprise everyone on this site creamed themselves over this.

they could have put out a 20 minute album of fart noises and people here would be freaking out.

whatever.

score is for the album

if there were a separate score to score the review, there would be no stars in existence

"Also, that song into An Ode... are the best two album-consequtive songs I've heard in a while."

Fucking love that! And the bridge between track 2 and 3 is great too! Awesome CD..

You guys are harsh, this review is not bad at all, as a fellow ameteur reviewer I see what he was trying to do. But I bet no one else submitted a review for it because they figured everyone would have done it already.

I liked the review...

I listened to Gainesville again, and the breakdown is good, but I still think there are better songs here.

Paddy's voice sounds great imo. it's as nuanced as it ever has been. there are some really nice moments when it smoothens out for just a second before dropping back into the beefiness. and he stays in tune really well thru it all

Funk is just amazing all around on this. he can make songs with power chords that are more complicated than most songs written by the type of guys who stretch their fingers for 20 minutes and sit down with 4 guitars, 12 pedals, and a calculator when they're making songs. Ode is the best example of this. and his voice and melodies make D4 D4 for me

I love this CD. went to the release. good fucking times

it's pretty painful, but so is illiteracy.
-veggieska

Score is for buthurt buttholes.

Didn't read the review. Score's for the author getting all butthurt about the complaints

writing normally is so easy that it became hard a long time ago. do we all really need that format?

Well, man, maybe you should write a punk review like it's a fucking college essay and maybe everyone else here will like it.

nah, i'm happy with myself and what little writing i'm able to produce. i'm just not sure what people want in an album review for a record we've all been listening to for the past two months.
i feel differently about music than most people. i also have a different outlook on writing about music than most on punknews do. but i'm so blunted to all the 'worst review' comments that i think i'm going to screen capture them all, print them out and laminate them to my bike frame. not really for any sort of motivational purpose, but more so people will see it around the city and know whose tires to slash.
-veggieska

Veggieska, don't let the haters bring you down, really.

Also, to the guy who doesn't think Gainesville is special, listen to the climactic ending and the lyrics. Also, that song into An Ode... are the best two album-consequtive songs I've heard in a while.

oh, and should i forfeit my dillinger four/nofx ticket to the first pittsburgher who posts a better review? i mean, pittsburgh neighbors would probably be eligible, but only if they promise to not talk shit on this fine city of mine.
-veggieska

i'm really sorry for ruining everyone's lives, especially dillinger four's and that fanboy from the uk who wrote the 3x longer, much better review. his words were much more deserving of the spot at the top of the page beside those penguins than mine, or even joey cape's for that matter. i promise to stop paying brian to publish my reviews. i promise to stop contributing negatively to the punknews community. and i promise to now post only as tommy_jarvis. please forget veggieska even existed. it will be much better for all of us if we just forget, but don't forgive.
-veggieska

I don't get what's so special about Gainesville. I mean, it is a good song at all, but isn't as outstanding as it many users claimed it to be.

Awesome album. At first it didn't do a whole lot for me, and in fact I thought it all just seemed off and not D4-like, but now I absolutely love it. Within a few days I absolutely couldn't stop listening to it. Awesome, awesome album

Oh, and terrible, terrible review.

Separate everyday a little more from the things we start
Well I won't forget my part
In the end what you want is much different from what you choose
Yeah, it's bigger than me and you
It's bigger than me and, than me and you.

soooo good

Poppier and cleaner production than before. Good stuff.

Alright, that's cool... but does that still mean you're my friend?

And 'crackpotdemagogue', I really enjoyed yours. Maybe they'll take this one down and put up yours instead.

This review is god awful. Like, seriously painful to read.

Lame self serving review for an overrated record.

I'd also like to use this review to apologize for ever being an asshole / prick / shit-talker / dude-raper.

Sorry. :(

I'm gonna try and be more positive.

Review's a fizzle. Album is near-perfect. Although don't like fruity pebbles I'm afraid. Faster is better with d4. I can't believe how many times I have spun this already.

"This score is also for buttholes."

BACKED.

Can you say worst album review ever? I don't think i read one interesting thing in this long rambling of nothing.
You'd think since everyone was so stoked on this album they'd have someone write a decent review.... agreed?

telegraphrocks: you're on. I'll try to have something done by monday.

I just assumed with the pluralization of "telegraphrocks" you were more than one person...

I'm one person.... you have A friend.

Friends?!

You hear that org? I have friends.

Well, in that case, I'll simply befriend you for a few years... and on your 16th birthday... WHAM-WHAM-WHAM-QUEEF!

I am not 16, I'm 12. Hasn't it been obvious?

Also, Mike, the legal age of consent in your state is 16. So it's just gay, not pedophilic.

This score is also for buttholes.

It's good to see people still have fetishes for underage children.

NAMBLANEWS.org?

Man-on-man rape ain't bad, man.

You've got ta got ta got ta open your miiiiiiiiind..... and your butthole.

Score's for buttholes.

You think I'd include my real adress in a joke? I don't wanna' get raped :-(

Add 'mikexdude' as well.

And Maryland isn't an address. I should be over there in February...

It doesn't have to be "published", just write your own as a comment, and hit "post".

Oh, but it's so much easier just to bitch about it and rip on other people's writing abilities to make yourself feel better?

mrhonestsociety
banal242
Archangel
essenceoftong
d amo
Me_is_murder
fallingupwards84
rowwwley
mattramone
Lmnndt lgrph
seth_uber_alles
R3vengeTherapy
mclz
McFlynnTHM
thatguy fromthatband
Misanthropee
red_eye_inc
etweils88

Come on... you can obviously do better... write a review.

I don't think this review was that bad, but I really want Telegraphrocks to come visit me.

THIS REVIEW SUCKS!

Maryland, dude.

Next person to comment on how bad of a review this is, and does NOT include a re-written one by themselves that is better, please include your name and address, and I'll eventually travel to you and punch your fucking eye.

If it's so bad... WRITE ONE YOURSELF RIGHT NOW!

Sorry, I only write reviews for albums that might not otherwise receive coverage here on punknews (Imadethismistake, Olehole etc.). Still, this is up there with the, "if you don't like this band you should make better music" remark.

Surely, there was more than one review submitted for this. I find it surprising that this is the one they picked.
-Dante

Next person to comment on how bad of a review this is, and does NOT include a re-written one by themselves that is better, please include your name and address, and I'll eventually travel to you and punch your fucking eye.

If it's so bad... WRITE ONE YOURSELF RIGHT NOW!

Worst review ever? Yes.

Worst review ever? Yes.

I suppose since it's D4, the review needs to be written when the reviewer is skunk drunk.

Considering all of the hype and interest in this album... THIS is the review you choose to post? Come on, there had to have been at least half a dozen submitted. THIS gets it?

I've never been able to get into this band the way most do (mainly 'cause of the vocals, they're just not my cup of tea), but there's no denying this is a solid record. Not my candidate for album of the year, but still pretty good.

"Gainesville" is definitely the best song. So fucking catchy.

Why is there Lagwagon lyrics? This record is motherfucking solid dawgs.

Bruce Campbell vs. Army of Darkness
all out war.

Good, but kinda bland. Lacks the punch of Versus God and Situationist Comedy. Songs are still as catchy as hell, but they just arent as angry anymore, which is a pity.

This album is so good. It took a few listens to grow on me, but after I got past the slightly-slicker-than-i-thought production the lyrics started hitting home.

excellent album crap review

To be honest, I kind of expected "C I V I L W A R" to be like Dr. Dre's "Detox." I didn't think it'd ever really come out, just remain a message board myth and still hyped up in the scene.

It wasn't until the 'org ran the story about the reaction to the leak that it started to set in: this shit was actually coming out. It took about 3 listens for it to sink in that I was actually listening to a NEW D4 album, not some excellent cover band. It's taken a few days for me to realize that this is some of the best shit they've put out. Songs such as "MINIMUM WAGE IS A GATEWAY DRUG" and "Fruity Pebbles" really hits close to home.

So while we'll be wating for "Detox" a little bit longer, "C I V I L W A R" definitely was worth the wait for me. Up there with "Build & Burn," "GNV FLA," and "The '59 Sound" as SOME of the best this year.

CIVIL WAR is to D4 as DEAR YOU is to JAWBREAKER...

once i got over the production and lack of aggression on this release i REALLY started to get it... it's almost MORE SUBVERSIVE to hear Eric delivering lines like "lock them inside, maybe we can block the exits" in a very calm melodic voice... i get the feeling that they're fed up and medicated at the same time... LOVE IT... and can't fucking wait to hear GAINESVILLE at FEST!!

Loving this so far!

This album is good. It's nothing I wanted really because I was hoping for something super fast and pissed, but the change in mood is much better at this time in my life. This pissed is still somewhat there which is good though.

You can see their aging with this record and many view that as a bad thing, but I think it's great. There's a lot of cynicism, but Fruity Pebbles and Minimum wage is a gateway drug open up a more realistic side to things, unlike previous albums (Note: I've never bought a D4 as soon as it came out, so I could be very wrong about this and that might be true).

Overall, I've been listening to this since Monday, and even though it's not what I expected, this album fucking rocks and I think it will be just as timeless as any of their other albums. For once I felt inspired in my veteran punk days just as I was when I heard my first punk album.

They can cover their ears but we won't stop screaming.

That's for damn sure.

i like this record

I agree that their first 3 full lengths were slightly hindered by the fact that the vocals were incredibly low in the mix, however, I think C I V I L W A R fixes this minor problem and has the potential to become my favorite D4 record.

awful review. complete waste of time

really disappointed with this album. every record they make seems to lose more energy and aggression. maybe they just spoilt us with Midwestern

My one complaint with D4 is I always feel that their vocals need to be higher in the mix.

Still nothing beats Polar Bear Club, but god this record rules. Top 5 for sure.

The album is amazing.

I just looked through the liner notes and realized Fruity Pebbles is about a guy named Frank that Paddy used to drink with (now deceased). I liked the song when I didn't know what it was about but now it's really poignant.

Chalk me up to someone who doesn't get the appeal.

Medicore just like past attemtps.

Here's my review:

As I effortlessly freed my corneas and exposed this young man's collection of rods and cones to the flowing rays of sunlight this ante meridiem, a simple proverb rippled throughout my central nervous system like a message in a bottle, lost at sea. "He who first votes for the noose is the first to deserve the noose." You might dismiss such a substantial epiphany as puerile or perhaps vacuous at best, but I must assure you that such a colloquialism sojourns itself at an opportune place and time, for these years that we live in, decades of strife and ceaseless antagonism, remind us of life's fleeting mortality. If there are consequences to be cultivated, one must assume that such a rich environment parents these delinquencies with the ease of an artist flicking his silver-haired brush upon canvas. But alas, such thoughts were not meant to be, and soon the modus operandi shifted throughout dissemination as if it were a field of broken glass.

I recall a time when I was a young boy of eight years, enjoying the simple life of youthful bliss. Although my mind grew with each influence of outside stimuli, its cells could not mature fleetingly sufficient to understand the commonwealth of mitigating factors beloved of mine outside universe. A tenet soon developed in my doughty sanctum declaring such vagaries would never become a fait accompli. I immediately proscribed these inimical anathemas which invariably led to such perfidy, knowing these actions would result in a much more grandiloquent and harmonious existence.

A wise man once said "he who first votes for the noose is the first to deserve the noose," but to an uninitiated shaveling, such advice falls upon deaf ears.

"C I V I L W A R" is about 40 minutes long and sounded pretty good I guess.

Anyone who thinks The '59 Sound is better than this should get their head examined.

Hey, I still think Build And Burn is the best album of the year.

fuck you guys, this review made the album sound better than it is. scores for the review.

Herro prease

This is the shit.

Anyone who thinks The '59 Sound is better than this should get their head examined.

You bootlegging our shit man

hey crack smoking weiner head, your review is a lot better than the official one. score is for your review and this pretty damn amazing album

C I V I L W A R > 59's Sound > New Lexicon > On Parallels > Build & Burn

This album is as good as this review is bad.

This album rules.

this review told me absolutely nothing about what the record sounds like and what D4 sounds like

for all the hype this record was receiving on here, you think there would have been a better quality review... guess not

This is a pretty solid disc, not quite on par with their older stuff but still worth some solid drunken listens. Part of the allure of this band was their kinda crappy recordings, not with this one, over-produced!!! Reminds me of ..shrug" Against Me!

Forgot to score it. -.-

I think it's overrated and lacks punch, put it's still pretty good. Have never really been into the band.

And yeah, the review right under my comment here is way better. You used the word cynic in its untrue meaning, but whatever.

Ok, so everyone thinks the above review sucks... so here is mine. I think it's just a wee bitty better...

Most of us know very well how long it’s been since we last had release from Dillinger Four. Six years. In six years an awful lot has happened in my life, and in yours too – but throughout all the turmoil – the ups and the downs – there is always one thing that can be counted on, and that is the music of D4. Lost your job? Fuck it, stick on ‘This Shit Is Genius’ and get wasted. Girlfriend kicked you out? Life goes on – slam ‘Midwestern Songs’ into your player and remember why life is good. Disillusioned with the world and it’s endless insanity? Blast ‘Versus God’ as loud as you can and find solace in the fact that there are others who feel just like you. The point is that Dillinger Four are all encompassing. Musically uplifting, lyrically enlightening, and with integrity and principles to boot. This band defines punk rock for me.

It is needless to say then that when I finally realised that C I V I L W A R was actually going to happen, and that it was more than a punknews April Fools joke – I, like everyone else - was totally stoked beyond all comprehension. The apprehension I felt before pressing play that first time was intense – and it was a great moment. As “A Jingle For The Product” kicked off, I was immediatley awestruck. Just like the first time I ever heard ‘Mosh For Jesus’ and ‘I Coulda Been A Contender’ I got all starry eyed as Erik Funk and his sublime, one-in-a-trillion voice seduced me into a melody infused hypnosis – the opener has it all; melody, whoa ohh’s, guitar solo’s, stop starts, a false ending and an even better real ending. Funk knows how to write a punk rock song. As “Contemplate This On The Tree Of Woe” kicks off, I’m still in shock from the greatness of the previous track – and Funk doesn’t disappoint here either – the song, which seems to be a commentary on recent western warmongering, corruption, oppression, imperialism etc etc.. is again outstanding on all fronts as Funk sings:

“did we turn and look the other way, while things were sealed and plans were made, did we choose not to stop this one way train, it just kept on rolling…the truth must end the fear… we still have so much left to loose”

There is a change in pace with “parishiltonisametaphor” as the infamous Paddy ‘how much art can you take’ Costello takes centre stage. Paddy sounds different on this album. One punknews user commented that he sounded “fatter than usual”, but I think more likely is that his voice has just changed slightly with all the abuse he inflicts upon himself… that and the way in which his vocals have been layered over the top of eachother. This song is perhaps the closest sounding to something from an older D4 album – the middle eight sounds almost identical to an old song that I’ve not yet been able to pinpoint.

A cynic would say that punknews users all love next song “Gainseville” only because they are all obsessed with the idea of living there. But then the cynic probably hasn’t heard the song because it is again outstanding. It’s also slightly out of character for Funk lyrically – which is perhaps why the intro features a sound byte stating “I know that’s bad for our image, but I don’t give a damn!” – for it is a extremely happy song, that is full of optimism and joy. Not that Funk is usually a pessimist, but his lyrics are often in one way or another overtly political and dare I say it ‘serious’. I’m glad he penned these lyrics though, and you can feel his happiness in a song that encourages the celebration of life, a life that Funk is acknowledging is very short. “Time was wasted we’re moving way too slow, lets go before we’re getting any older, time doesn’t wait for me”

After yet another Funk belter “Ode To The North American Snake Oil Distributor” we get another number from cuddly Costello, who has written perhaps the catchiest song ever about the brutality of trickle down economics (ie. being poor in a very rich country) and the mythical ‘american dream’ in < i> “Minimum Wage Is a Gateway Drug .

Funk is back at his best in “The Classical Arrangement” which is a short and sweet chastising of religion that Richard Dawkins himself would be proud of. I for one wish this song would last longer – but then, maybe the song would need a different title?

All of D4’s tricks are out again for Americaspremierfaithbasedinitiative”; palm muted guitars, bass runs, lots of toms, ringing guitars, octave chords and Paddy and Billy shouting “Hey, Hey!” in the background. The pace continues rapidly with “The Art Of Whore” before the third and final Paddy track “Fruity Pebbles”, which is the black sheep of the album. Take Paddy’s vocal out and replace it with Ben Weasel and you’ve got a Screeching Weasel song – it’s got that same 4/4 downstroke punchy guitar sound. Lyrically this song’s pretty sad, and it could perhaps have the alternative title “Paddy’s Lament” as he sings “Tonight I guess I’m drinking alone…”

The final three songs continue where “Americaspremierfaithbasedinitiative” left off and “Like Eye Contact In An Elevator” sees us treated to the only song with the combo-vocals of Erik and Paddy, who discuss the negative aspects of being engaged in a conversation with a moron who is ‘paralysed from the neck up’ – something I’m sure most people who are not paralysed from the neck up can relate to. The album then ends as perfectly as it begun with “Clown Cars On Cinder Blocks” with Funk again dealing with age and time as he sings "I contemplate the remnants of my life, and dance away the past…drown the pain with cheap champagne and wake me when it’s time to go, I’m far too faded to celebrate it, this clock is moving way too slow…one more year with this one I could never make it on my own.”

And with that, it’s over. Silence. Thankfully Funk is not on his own – he has his band mates, we have his band AND another album that we can listen to that will make any situation alright again… and I don’t think I could give any album a better compliment than that. Erik said in a recent interview that an EP could be on the way as early as next year. Has anybody got a time-machine?

I really like this review. I was thinking yesterday how hard it would be to present an accurate review of CIVIL WAR on punknews.

This review is a little offbeat, sure, but couldn't be more timely or pointed right now.

Scores for that, I thought the album was OK

what the fuck was this reveiw even about?

how can verse be one of the best albums of the year? verse is complete garbage. i cant listen to half a song by them.

I'm gonna start

The '59 Sound > C I V I L W A R

does anyone else's rating say you've given this thirteen and a half stars? i'll do a screen capture if no one believes me.
and i wrote this review in the half-hour period after waking up wednesday and seeing there was no dillinger four review. so if you can do better, then do it. i was just trying to fill the void. it takes an awful lot for me just to work up enough courage to submit things my writing. being anxious and nervous and, if you must know, 25-years old with white spots in my beard is bad enough.
thanks,
todd

Paddy's voice sucks on this. You'd think they would've at least tried or something.

PIB "New Lexicon" RULES!

This record is pretty damn good. Only listened to it once so far, experience tells me it'll grow on me. I noticed the super-produced vocals too...

Haha, your comment saying I'm retarded is funny. Seems like your argument is that D4 has made many great albums and they are a great band, meaning they made the best album of the year. I do admit D4 is awesome, but this isn't there best work. Def an 8/10 though.

One of the most hyped records of the past five years, and this review was deemed the most fit to post? It's not terrible, but someone has to have written something better...

Score's for the record.

It reads like review was phone.

also, "punkengineer" is retarded.

the riot before and polar bear club's albums were better than this? really? do you really mean that? or are you just naming all of the albums to have come out this year that you really liked? it's great that you're appreciating two fairly new bands, but they're fucking miles behind dillinger four. i might be really impressed by the intelligence of my six year old nephew, but i don't tell people he's smarter than my philosophy professor.

paint it black's album was the worst they've done yet.

there was nothing great about the loved ones album.

haven't heard the verse or less than jake albums.

the gaslight anthem fucking blow. i can't wait for the day a couple years from now when everyone pretends that they never liked that shit-shoveling fad of a band.

WOOOOWOOOO!!!
All aboard the condescension train!
-Dante

the only thing wrong with this record is the weird voice effects... is it autotune?

also, "punkengineer" is retarded.

the riot before and polar bear club's albums were better than this? really? do you really mean that? or are you just naming all of the albums to have come out this year that you really liked? it's great that you're appreciating two fairly new bands, but they're fucking miles behind dillinger four. i might be really impressed by the intelligence of my six year old nephew, but i don't tell people he's smarter than my philosophy professor.

paint it black's album was the worst they've done yet.

there was nothing great about the loved ones album.

haven't heard the verse or less than jake albums.

the gaslight anthem fucking blow. i can't wait for the day a couple years from now when everyone pretends that they never liked that shit-shoveling fad of a band.

I respect D4 no doubt... but just into this stuff all that much. I probably would have loved this record when I was younger and not so fucking jaded. Props to these guys for being a good ole honest drunken punk rock band.

this review isn't a slap in the face to fans as much as it's an insult to the band.

it's just terrible. how old is the kid that wrote this?

I love how this record makes me feel. It's such a perfect late summer/autumn record. It makes me want to conquer everything. So many catchy hooks, too.

This review sucked, though.

It's definitely a slight change in sound from their other albums, but it's exactly what I wanted to hear.

The review isn't necessarily bad, but I agree with Dante that such a high profile release could've had a much better review with it.

Most excellent.

This record is pretty good, but not the end all be all like everyone says. Off With Their Heads, Polar Bear Club, Less Than Jake, The Riot Before, Verse, Paint It Black, The Loved Ones, and Gaslight all released better albums this year in my opinion. This album would be near the top after all of those albums.

Maybe I'm missing something but this review seems really off for this album. You just think a piece that was this high profile might warrant a little more cohesive review. Then again, may this is a blatant slap in the face from the Punknews staff to over zealous fan boys.
-Dante

Or Brian's gotten lazy.

Good review. I don't agree with some people saying this album is a grower, I loved what I heard the minute the singles came out. Can't wait for that new EP coming out next year.

Also, This Shit is Genius is genius.

How about everyone bitching about the review writes their own right here... come on, you're all professional writers, right?

This is the review you posted? Really?

That's funny.

This record ranks very very high on my best of 2008 list, and I don't see it moving down any slots.

agreed, great record, but this review sucks

Love the album, but this review kind of blows.

somehow I could never get into their previous stuff, but this is my album of the year.

Seriously? This record is one of the most hyped in the past six years and all we get is this shitty review? score is for the album NOT the review.

awesome album. better review.

Haven't heard all of it, but it seems more relaxed, somewhat. This isn't necessarily a bad thing.

better than situationist. i'd even be willing to say nearly as good as vs. god or midwestern songs, and probably a more consistent record than both.

A mighty fine punk rock record. Some of the songs could have been a little faster but that's my only real criticism.

In my top 3 of 2008 so far.

Bad review. No information whatsoever on the actual content of the album.

That being said, buy this, you chumps. The sound quality of the leaked quality everyone has is shit.

Good, but far from their best.

Great album and well worth the wait. The first half is awesome but I can't help but feel that the second half falls off a little. Overall it's catchy, gritty, and far more emotive than almost anything else I've heard all year.

oldpunker is harking back to an old tradition at the org, when you were too lazy to sign in to comment but still wanted to claim authorship for your posts.

I would routinely sign off on my posts with:
--Cos

I think Ramo still does the same thing. There aren't many of us left.

also, why does oldpunker always feel the need to write -oldpunker- at the end of his posts? i find it bizarre but strangley comforting

d4 are a band you can count on. this album was everything i wanted it to be. I hope this ep surfaces next year, i'm already craving more! d4 army!

was their a review of this record in there somwhere?

This is now the album of the year for me.... so far.

did not care for sc, like this alot though-oldpunker-

agreed about the subtleties -- the songs don't really differentiate themselves as much through the first listens, but i think that makes for an album that will retain its replay value another 15 years until the next one

the review is a little disjointed and sparse but not awful.

The record is really good, pretty different but I think all of their albums are in feel and sound.

"Contemplate This On the Tree Of Woe" is probably my favourite song off the album.

Great review. Don't care much for the subject matter.

uhhhh awful review...

album is getting better with each listen though. i'd say it's their weakest material, but by no means is it bad.

this is gonna be epic

Great record. Just as good as "Situationist Comedy." We like rock music.