Generator

Southern California’s most politically correct (and probably most intelligent) hardcore act has come back swiftly from a terrific previous album to make their best effort to date. Led by singer Greg Graffin (a college professor) and guitarist Mr. Brett, Bad Religion crafts hook-filled and (dare I say it?) melodic punk rock that is as challenging as it is thrash-worthy. Generator stands out, even among the band’s superb career, as a master work. While Brett’s title track crackles with anger, Graffin’s “Too much to Ask” uses the southern rock jangle in a way that only the late lamented Hüsker Dü could manage. But as good as the two openers are, they don’t hold a candle to “Atomic Garden” and “Only Entertainment,” both brilliant slices of adrenalin – and intelligentsia-charged punk rock. Generator is aptly titled; if this can’t get a rise out of you and get you excited about hardcore again, you must be dead.

- Chris Robin