Category: | Review - Internet | Publish date: | 10/2/2010 |
Source: | livemusicguide.com (United States) | ||
Synopsis: |
The Dissent Of Man
by Kelsey Miller
livemusicguide.com, October 2, 2010
California punk rock band Bad Religion, formed in 1979, returns for the release of their 15th studio album, Dissent of Man with over three decades of experience and a strong sense of respect from the music world. The band has had 14 different musicians call themselves members of Bad Religion at one point or another, but the only original member, who never left the band at any point, is singer and main songwriter Greg Gaffin. Joining him on the lineup for Dissent of Man is Brett Gurewitz, Jay Bentley, Greg Hetson, Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman. Bad Religion is often credited for being involved with the revival of punk in the early 80’s and many of today’s leading groups, including AFI, The Offspring and NOFX cite Bad Religion as one of their influences.
The group has sold over five million records worldwide and owes much of their success to a strong underground following throughout their entire career. Known for soaring three-part vocal harmonies and their social commentaries, Bad Religion, is known for turning heads musically (and shocking political and religious groups everywhere). Bad Religion has come a long way from their first show, opening up for Social Distortion in 1980. For their 30th anniversary, the band played a 30-day tour with a 30 song setlist each night. And the six show no sign of stopping, with the release of Dissent of Man on September 28. The album, full of up-tempo melodies and plenty of supporting harmonies, has depth and intricacy while still keeping an aura of classic punk and rock and roll. Songs like the opening “The Day That The Earth Stalled” and “Pride and Pallor” have up-tempo speeding bass and drum lines, with the quintessential guitar solo added to complete the package.
“Devil in Stitches” is the album’s single and a quick-moving bass solo leads into a single guitar and the line “the devil in stitches only has his fun/performing for the chosen one.” “Meeting of the Minds” has an ominous, heartbeat-quickening feel while “Cynadie” has a guitar riff with a country or bluegrass hint. The album ends with a whimsical, softer feeling “I Won’t Say Anything” which is a complete turn in style, but is an enjoyable closer. Bad Religion has run into controversy and praise throughout its 30 plus years in existence but this year’s album Dissent of Man does not disappoint fans, who argue that the band is just as strong as ever, holding their own in a music world full of punk groups influenced by them.