New BR album "The Ultra Tyranny"

[Max35]

Just heard another Bad Religion album is under production. The supposed name is "The Ultra Tyranny" (which is still rumor). I'm also excited about the double-disc release they are considering.


http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/bad_religion_album_in_september.html

 

[gick]

Excellent! I cant wait!

 

[Max35]

You know, I would think some of the more politically active members on these forums would be happy about this.

 

[knut]

I'd like to be, but I fear that like all the latest BR albums, it's going to sound pretty identical. Still, it's punk I guess. BR are just one of the bands that always got to me as being really repetative.

I'll still get it anyway.

 

[ComradeBadger]

You know, I would think some of the more politically active members on these forums would be happy about this.

What that they're lazily cashing in on an easy pop-political target like the painfully average american punk band they are ?

 

[gick]

What that they're lazily cashing in on an easy pop-political target like the painfully average american punk band they are ?

Well they're hardly just 'cashing in' on an easy target - they've been making political songs for decades now, and besides, the majority of their political are not about Bush et al. It is possible to have political songs that aren't about the current administration.

Also, the reason that they may sound 'average' is that practically every punk band on the planet is either heavily influenced by them, or just plain ripping them off. That tends to happen when you've been pioneering a genre for a quarter of a century.

 

[Max35]

gick has a point, BR has been around more than most punk bands nowadays. Also, they aren't "lazily" cashing in. The frontman and lyrics writer, Greg Graffin, has a Phd. Their lyrics are quite the opposite of "painfully average." While their latest album wasn't their best (compared to Stranger Than Fiction/Against the Grain) the lyrics were still superb. The fact that they have stuck around this long is sort of a testament of their slightly more than average status. This is just one man's opinion, though.

 

[ComradeBadger]

Well they're hardly just 'cashing in' on an easy target - they've been making political songs for decades now, and besides, the majority of their political are not about Bush et al. It is possible to have political songs that aren't about the current administration.

Yeah, precisely.. it just gets a bit boring you know?

 

[Max35]

And also, their songs aren't just political. They also deal with religion and philosophy. This next album sounds a bit different, what with the double release and all.

 

[gick]

Yeah, precisely.. it just gets a bit boring you know?

Well no, not really. Maybe if they just kept on banging out song after song that went along the lines of 'Bush sucks, la la la' I would agree with you, but the fact is, they haven't. The songs Greg Graffin writes are very varied in terms of subject matter, and the lyrics are some of the most intelligent I have ever heard. Hardly what you would call 'painfully average'.

 

[Max35]

Well no, not really. Maybe if they just kept on banging out song after song that went along the lines of 'Bush sucks, la la la' I would agree with you, but the fact is, they haven't. The songs Greg Graffin writes are very varied in terms of subject matter, and the lyrics are some of the most intelligent I have ever heard. Hardly what you would call 'painfully average'.

Let's not forget Brett Gurewitz, the second song writer. One more thing, in the podcast interview Jay Bently (bassist) said it would be rather repetitive to bash the same administration twice (who are on the way out) So, there might be a few Bush bashing songs, but I think the subject matter on this next cd will be more varied.

 

[gick]

Let's not forget Brett Gurewitz, the second song writer. One more thing, in the podcast interview Jay Bently (bassist) said it would be rather repetitive to bash the same administration twice (who are on the way out) So, there might be a few Bush bashing songs, but I think the subject matter on this next cd will be more varied.

Even so, the 'Bush bashing' songs are very subtle - never mentioned by name, always very poetic lyrically...

Anyhoo, im looking forward to the tour they do to support it. Last time round I was lucky enough to catch them in in a 300 capacity venue. That was a hell of an experience, I can tell you.

 

[ComradeBadger]

Well no, not really. Maybe if they just kept on banging out song after song that went along the lines of 'Bush sucks, la la la' I would agree with you, but the fact is, they haven't. The songs Greg Graffin writes are very varied in terms of subject matter, and the lyrics are some of the most intelligent I have ever heard. Hardly what you would call 'painfully average'.

Haha, not really knowing much about Bad Religion's background - I half expect a Green Day-esque album.

 

[knut]

Even so, the 'Bush bashing' songs are very subtle - never mentioned by name, always very poetic lyrically...

Anyhoo, im looking forward to the tour they do to support it. Last time round I was lucky enough to catch them in in a 300 capacity venue. That was a hell of an experience, I can tell you.

B'ham Academy 2? I missed that, unfortunatly. I saw absoloutly NOTHING on it till about a week before, and by then it sold out I think. I dunno. Never was a big fan of BR to be honest.

 

[gick]

B'ham Academy 2? I missed that, unfortunatly. I saw absoloutly NOTHING on it till about a week before, and by then it sold out I think. I dunno. Never was a big fan of BR to be honest.

Yaha, thats the one. I happened to be checking the upcoming gigs on the academy website, and they must have only just added it. They really are a band that have to be seen live. Last year at Reading I made some of my 'I hate punk' friends watch, and even they were impressed

 

[knut]

Speaking of Reading, did you watch Municipal Waste or Anti-Flag this year? I'd like to know how Municipal Waste went down on a fairly big stage. Ad are you going to Rise Against next week? I think it's next week anyway. Better check that...

 

[gick]

Personally, I thought the 'Waste were very good. Unfortunately, there were very few people there to see them (the tent was half full at best) but they were pretty tight, and lots of fun. That is, until I was knocked unconscious half way through the set. Ouch.

I Only caught the 1st 20 minutes or so of Anti-Flag (it was the 4th time i'd seen them, so I left early to get a good spot for Muse) but what I did see was excellent. Whatever people say about their politics, or 'selling out', you can't deny that they are one of the best live bands on the planet.

No, i'm afraid I wont be going to Rise Against this time round - I'm visiting one of my mates at Uni in cheltenham, and it would've been the 5th time i'd seen RA anyway. Even so, they are pretty amazing live too...

 

[knut]

I got a bloody nose at Waste last year, but knocked unconscious? Eeesh.

Christ though, Anti-Flag and Rise Against 4 times? Crikay. I'm still in two minds about going to see Anti-Flag on the Taste of Chaos tour because I've heard a few bad things about them live, but the videos on Youtube look good. Although I will get to see Thursday or Alexisonfire or whoever is playing out of those two, I'll have to stand around a huge room full of idiots and I'd have to watch some pretty godawful bands.

 

[MultiVaC]

Yes! I love Bad Religion, the politics in their songs are far from a cash-in since the songs are so intelligent and the Bush bashing is subtle most of the time. The Emipire Strikes First (the whole CD, not just the song) still has BR's usual deeper lyrics despite how easy it to just pull an American Idiot and state the obvious ("Bush sucks"). Plus they go after religion in a serious way, it's different than NoFX's funny approach. To me thier new songs don't sound the same as the old CDs either, I can't quite tell what it is, but it feels new enough.

 

[Max35]

Yeah, when someone calls BR an "average punk band" it makes me wonder about their education. Especially where the lyrics are concerned.

EDIT: And politics aren't the only subject they write about. That implies one needs to listen to more of their songs.

 

[VictimOfScience]

Punk has always been about bashing the current administration. Bush-bashing is hardly bandwagon for honest-to-goodness punks. Look at how many songs Reagan and his cronies inspired!!! Some of the best punk ever!!

Good news about the new BR album though. Empire was a great release compared to the mediocre few albums before it, so I am really looking forward to this one!

Oh, and if you like the 'Waste, check out Cross Examination and Possuído Pelo Cão as well. You will be glad you did.