Against Me! - Riding the New Wave up the Alt Rock Charts
I’m finally getting around to writing something about Against Me!’s latest album (and major label debut) “New Wave”. This band from Gainesville FL has long been a fan favorite in the punk crowd. They’ve never been on my radar until now for a few reasons. I always had the perception that they were one of those screamo bands that I wouldn’t be able to get into. And even though they’ve been around for 10 years, they haven’t got much of a sniff as far as radio play is concerned. All of this has changed with the release of “New Wave”. You could say it is the mastery of Butch Vig at producer that is making the difference. (Actually, I am sure a lot of the industry is thinking that.) If you’re an old fan, you’re probably saying that the band has sold out and are making more commercial records. There is no need for this debate once you listen to this album. I don’t really care how it got to this place. All I can tell you is that this album is good. And it’s going to appeal to a broad range of listeners. There is no mistaking the political bent to their songs (from “White People for Peace"):
The people sang protest songs to try and stop the soldier’s gun
Protest Songs in a response to Military Aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier’s gun
But that’s not all this album has to offer. The single “Thrash Unreal” is making its way up the alt rock charts as I type. It’s got what is takes to stick on the radio. It’s telling a story…
This night is going to end when we’re damn well ready for it to be over.
Worked all week long now the music is playing on our time.
and then later…
She can still here that Rebel Yell just as loud as it was in 1983.
There ain’t no Johnny coming home to share a bed with her and she doesn’t care.
Then you have the infectious chorus (where the lyrics are kinda harsh but the bop-bop-bop stuff totally distracts you so that is what you sing.) People hear this on the radio and they are like “what is that bop-bop song?”
But to me, the best song is “Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart”, the collaboration with Tegan Quin (yes, that Tegan of Tegan and Sara fame). Tom Gabel shares the vocal duties with Tegan on this song. They alternate on lead and then sing together on the chorus. The melody is super catchy and the lyrics are good. (Who uses “trepidation” in song lyrics? That in itself is genius.) This is definitely another song that could catch fire on the radio.
Against Me! is currently out on tour in support of the new album, but they aren’t swinging this way in the next month. I’ll keep you guys updated on that because I’m gonna make at least one of you guys go with me to check them out.
Listen:
Thrash Unreal (quicktime hi)
Thrash Unreal (windows hi)
White People for Peace (quicktime hi)
White People for Peace (windows hi)
Video:
White People for Peace
Thrash Unreal (and other material from New Wave) live at Spin Magazine’s Music For Life show
