BAD RELIGION - AGAINST THE GRAIN
| 1. MODERN MAN | |
| 2. TURN ON THE LIGHT | |
| 3. GET OFF |  |
| 4. BLENDERHEAD | |
| 5. THE POSITIVE ASPECT OF NEGATIVE THINKING | |
| 6. ANESTHESIA | |
| 7. FLAT EARTH SOCIETY | |
| 8. FAITH ALONE | |
| 9. ENTROPY | |
| 10. AGAINST THE GRAIN | |
| 11. OPERATION RESCUE | |
| 12. GOD SONG | |
| 13. 21ST CENTURY (DIGITAL BOY) | |
| 14. MISERY AND FAMINE | |
| 15. UNACCEPTABLE | |
| 16. QUALITY OR QUANTITY | |
| 17. WALK AWAY | |
First time I ever heard of Bad Religion was way back in high school. It was a song called 'Punk Rock Song'. It was one of my favourite punk rock songs for quite a while!
Earlier this year, 2004, I bought Bad Religion's album - Against The Grain. And I totally LOVE IT!
A technique I developed was to review all the albums of any bands before I consider purchasing. I tally up the number of songs I like on each album and the one with the most, I buy. If I really like that album, I buy the next one down etc.
Anyone who's interested in my technique can use the same web site that I use to 'review albums' here at http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/
Well, after calculating most of the tallies, Against The Grain came out on top.
All songs on this album are good to listen to, with a few classics that are worth mentioning.
'Modern Man' is a nice opener for this album. Nice and short. The good thing about most punk rock bands, is that a lot of their songs are short. Anywhere from 1:30 - 3:00 min's long. This is a good thing, cause you can breeze through the songs without getting bored of them and move straight onto the next one.
Most songs on this album are under 3 minutes and that's a good thing. The whole CD lasts about 35 minutes, which may bother some about purchasing this album. Yes, it's a very short album but a lot of the punk rock albums that came out more then 10 years ago where short as well.
'Blenderhead', although short, is a good song. One of my faves from this album. But nothing can compare to 'Anesthesia'. I highly recommend everyone listen to this song, even if you're not a huge fan of Bad Religion. The melody and attitude of this song will make anyone happy for a long time to come!
One more highlight from this album, is '21st Century (Digital Boy)'. Besides 'Punk Rock Song', this was the 2nd song I heard from Bad Religion and that was a long time ago. It's good to hear it again after so long, although it does come in second-last to anyone who listens to 'Anesthesia'.
Well after listening to this album again, I also suggest everyone listen to 'Faith Alone'. One of their less-punk attitude songs of this collection, it's still a nice touch to the album!
PUNK FANS |
I highly recommend every punk fan listen to this album. Even if you're not a fan of Bad Religion, it's still a good album from one of the best, oldest punk rock bands around. |
BAD RELIGION FANS |
I believe that a lot of Bad Religion fans don't like this album as much as their other works. But I think that a lot of the songs on this album says otherwise. Definitely a worthy buy! |
VERDICT |
96% |
| 1. OVERTURE | |
| 2. SINISTER ROUGE | |
| 3. SOCIAL SUICIDE | |
| 4. ATHEIST PEACE | |
| 5. ALL THERE IS | |
| 6. LOS ANGELES IS BURNING | |
| 7. LET THEM EAT WAR | |
| 8. GOD'S LOVE | |
| 9. TO ANOTHER ABYSS | |
| 10. THE QUICKENING | |
| 11. THE EMPIRE STRIKES FIRST | |
| 12. BEYOND ELECTRIC DREAMS | |
| 13. BOOT STAMPING ON A HUMAN FACE FOREVER | |
| 14. LIVE AGAIN (THE FALL OF MAN) | |
This album isn't my fave Bad Religion album, as of yet, but I love it in every other way! Who knows, in time I might like this better then 'The New America'!
First time I heard this album, I didn't like a lot of the songs as much as I'd like to. After hearing 'Sinister Rouge' and 'Let Them Eat War' (my fave songs from this album) from the http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/ website, those two songs got me hooked onto this album!
As mentioned above, these two songs totally rock. The sort of stuff many people would expect from Bad Religion. 'Social Suicide' is a cool, catchy song while 'Atheist Peace' will make you smile.
Then there's 'Los Angeles Is Burning'. This song feels like an anthem for all those who feel despondent - It's sure to cheer up anyone!
The mood slides a bit in 'To Another Abyss' but it still has the Bad Religion charm to it!
The album-titled song 'The Empire Strikes First' may not have the same feel as my two fave songs but it sure sounds great to rock too!
PUNK FANS |
Another album from one of the oldest punk rock bands available. This album isn't too bad, but I suggest a listen first! |
BAD RELIGION FANS |
This album has a 50/50 chance of being in any BR fan's collection. If you're a true BR fan, get it....NOW! |
VERDICT |
97% |
| 1. YOU'VE GOT A CHANCE | |
| 2. IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE PROMISE LAND | |
| 3. A WORLD WITHOUT MELODY | |
| 4. NEW AMERICA | |
| 5. 1000 MEMORIES | |
| 6. A STREETKID NAMED DESIRE | |
| 7. WHISPER IN TIME | |
| 8. BELIEVE IT | |
| 9. I LOVE MY COMPUTER | |
| 10. THE HOPELESS HOUSEWIFE | |
| 11. THERE WILL BE A WAY | |
| 12. LET IT BURN | |
| 13. DON'T SELL ME SHORT |
After hearing Bad Religions's Against The Grain, I got Bad Religion fever. So I went out and ordered another one of their albums, entitled 'The New America'. It took about 3 weeks, but it was worth it.
Starting with a great opener, one of the better songs of this album is 'You've Got a Chance'. It's one of the best opener's I've heard in quite a while. As most of you Bad Religion fans know, this 'should' be one of their better albums, if not more popular.
I believe there are more 'classic' songs on this album then the previous, although the songs on 'Against The Grain' has more 'mediocre' songs to listen to.
The song 'A World Without Melody' has to be one of the best punk rock songs I've heard since 'Punk Rock Song' and 'Anesthesia'. The tune, the lyrics and the ambience of this song, totally rocks. I swear, this song 'should' be a single. If not, it has to be! HIGHLY RECOMMEND a listen!!
Then there's the slew of other cool songs such as '1000 Memories', 'Whisper In Time', 'New America' and 'Believe It'. With these great listen-to songs, what can go wrong?
BTW, this album is quite rare in music stores...well...from where I come from anyways! I highly suggest you try to find it, before it goes extinct.
PUNK FANS |
I highly suggest this album, moreso then 'Against The Grain' but both are worth a listen. |
BAD RELIGION FANS |
Even though I only have two Bad Religion albums in my collection (a third on the way, 'No Substance'), this is the best fun I've had in punk heaven. I Highly suggest buying this to add to your Bad Religion collection! |
VERDICT |
97% |
