Ok so I know it’s been awhile since I’ve done/posted any sort of music review but I’ve been in the process of moving however that’s all done now so on with the reviews. Up next is a band that I have seen at practically every Warped Tour and they always put on a great live show. The band I am talking about is Bad Religion so let’s take a look………..
How Could Hell Be Any Worse?- so this one really sounds like any other punk album that came out in the 80’s. In terms of its quality I guess it’s fine but it’s nothing really special. I will say that it probably could’ve been shortened by a couple songs. I’ll give this 7/10
Standouts: We’re Only Gonna Die, Pity, Oligarchy
Into The Unknown- ok so if you are going into this album blind and expecting another punk album then you will be very disappointed. This is not a punk album but rather a hard rock and synth rock album. In fact some would say that this album sounds a lot like something Genesis would’ve done. It’s a very unique and interesting record to say the least. Give it a listen and you might be pleasantly surprised. I’ll give this 9/10
Standouts: Chasing the Wild Goose, Million Days, Losing Generation
Suffer- here is where we start to hear that classic BR sound. I’d say that this album is responsible for influencing a lot of bands like NOFX and Hot Water Music. The album itself is awesome and I definitely recommend it. I’ll give this one a 10/10
Standouts: When?, Forbidden Beat, 1000 More Fools
No Control- I’d have to say while it does sound a bit like the last album, this one is actually faster than Suffer. In fact, it’s got some hardcore punk in it. I’ll give this one another 10/10
Standouts: No Control, Big Bang, Henchman
Against The Grain- this one doesn’t have as much hardcore in it as the last album however it does have the speed that was on No Control. Overall, not quite as memorable as the last couple albums but still worth a listen. I’ll give this 9/10
Standouts: Turn On The Light, Get Off, Unacceptable
Generator- this one to me feels like it’s their darkest album. Not sure how to explain it but I just get that vibe. Anyway, this one isn’t quite as strong as the last couple records. Overall, it’s good not great. I’ll give this 8/10
Standouts: Atomic Garden, Chimaera, Tomorrow
Recipe For Hate- to me this one has a lot of hits and misses. There are some really fun songs and then there are some that are kinda meh. As a whole, it’s a decent album but I can see how one would skip certain songs. I’ll give this one 7/10
Standouts: Kerosene, My Poor Friend Me, Modern Day Catastrophists
Stranger Than Fiction- this is probably where I first heard songs from this band. I remember hearing the song infected on the radio all the time and while that’s a great song, the rest of the album is also really good. I feel like they go back to albums like No Control and Suffer a little bit with this one. Anyway, I’ll give this 10/10
Standouts: Stranger Than Fiction, Television, News From The Front
The Gray Race- there are some who would say that this is probably the worst album Bad Religion have done and while I would say it’s not the worst, it’s certainly not the best. Overall, this one is just ok. I like most of the songs but it can drag at times. I will say that it does have one of my favorite songs that being Punk Rock Song and Ten In 2010. I’ll give this 8/10
Standouts: Punk Rock Song, Pity The Dead, Ten In 2010
No Substance- I found this one to have some hits and misses. I can see how this one would also get overlooked when it comes to Bad Religions other albums. Like the songs aren’t bad or boring but I guess they just aren’t memorable. Overall, this is an ok listen so, I’ll give this 7/10
Standouts: Hear It, The Hippy Killers, Mediocre Minds
The New America- again like the last album, I feel like this is another one of their albums that I could see being overlooked and just like the last album, it’s fine but most of the songs aren’t that memorable. Like they’re fine but that’s pretty much it. Should you gloss over this one? I wouldn’t. Anyway, I’ll go ahead and give this one 7/10
Standouts: You’ve Got A Chance, The Hopeless Housewife, The Fast Life
The Process Of Belief- alright so the problem with the last few records is that they seemed slowed down. With this one, they go back to that fast punk sound. Now there are a few slower songs (this is the album that has the song Sorrow) but overall, this is a fun record. I’ll give this 9/10
Standouts: Supersonic, Can’t Stop It, The Defense
The Empire Strikes First- so this was actually the first Bad Religion album I actually bought. Back when KROQ actually played more rock music, they used to play songs off of this. When this album came out, they played the Warped Tour which was also my first time seeing them live. Then I went to their show at The Palladium which is where they filmed the show for their dvd. Now as far as the album goes, it’s a great album. It continues the same trend from the previous record and I’d also even say that the guitar work also stands out a bit more here. Definitely check this one out. I’ll give this one 10/10
Standouts: Sinister Rouge, God’s Love, Los Angeles Is Burning
New Maps Of Hell- there was a rumor that Empire and this one were supposed to be a double album but even if was just a rumor, I could see this one being part of a double album. It’s a good album but it’s just not as strong as Empire. Still, it’s a worthy follow up so I’ll give this one 9.5/10
Standouts: Heroes And Martyrs, Requiem For Dissent, Lost Pilgrim
The Dissent Of Man- this one to me was another one that was just average. Like with a few of their other records, it’s just ok and nothing special. To me, it’s kinda boring. I’ll give this one 6/10
Standouts: Only Rain, The Day The Earth Stalled, Finite
True North- this one to me could be considered a middle of the road album. At times, it doesn’t really feel like a punk rock record but I guess I’m comparing it to their older records. Overall, it’s better than the last record but not by a whole lot. I’ll give this one 7/10
Standouts: Past Is Dead, Vanity, Fuck You
Age Of Unreason- again nothing new or special here but it is pretty impressive that they are 17 albums in and still going. I mean when you are at this many albums I guess it’s hard to write anything new or groundbreaking. Personally I think it’s an ok album but as I said about the last record, maybe I’m just unfairly comparing it to their older albums. Anyway, I’ll give this one 7/10
Standouts: My Sanity, Faces Of Grief, Since Now
Like I said before, the fact that these guys have 17 albums and still going is pretty impressive. Also if you haven’t seen them live I definitely recommend you do so. They definitely do not disappoint live. That said, for the most part, you definitely know what you are getting with this band.
Final Grade: B+
Album Rankings:
- The Empire Strikes First
- Suffer
- Stranger Than Fiction
- No Control
- New Maps Of Hell
- Into The Unknown
- The Process Of Belief
- Against The Grain
- The Gray Race
- Generator
- Recipe For Hate
- No Substance
- The New America
- True North
- Age Of Unreason
- How Could Hell Be Any Worse
- The Dissent Of Man
Sinister Reviews 