Category: | Review - Internet | Publish date: | 8/9/2007 |
Source: | eyeweekly.com | ||
Synopsis: |
New Maps Of Hell
by Nick Flanagan
eyeweekly.com, August 9, 2007
Having helped invent a very marketable melodic punk sound that has made big money for corporate America, it's hard not to feel bad for Bad Religion, even if the band's early work establishes them as an inarguably historical force in punk rock. The only element that detracts from their legacy is that their sound basically stagnated in a just-above mid-tempo folk/punk combo somewhere around Recipe For Hate, their seventh album. Seven albums later, not a great deal has changed. Greg Graffin's lyrics remain highly critical of society in an overly articulate manner, the songs don't overstay their welcome yet also have a sheen that takes them closer to pop-rock than pop-punk, and the guitars still sometimes sound good. The first track “52 Seconds” provides a good opening punch and the lyrics are always enlightening, but at some point the songs tend to fall over themselves. The low point is likely “Submission Complete,” a punny track whose riff awkwardly brings to mind Europe's “The Final Countdown.” NMOH is a competent continuation of their sound, but when you're repeating your sound seven albums later, things get a bit redundant.
3 / 5