Released: Sep 28, 2010
Genre: Punk Rock, Rock
Label: Epitaph Records
Number Of Tracks: 15
Bad Religion's first studio album since the end of the George W. Bush Presidency is a success, remaining relevant, fresh, and intelligent.
The Dissent Of ManFeatured review by: UG Team, on october 07, 2010 2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: Bad Religion is often categorised or misrepresented as a ‘punk rock’ band. This might be true, but in truth, Bad Religion offers so much more than the majority of bands described as ‘punk rock’. Bad Religion’s production sounds modern, but doesn’t betray the intensity of this album. If one thought that in the aftermath of the George W. Bush Presidency that Gurewitz, Baker, and Hetson wouldn’t record jagged, cutting guitar chords and solos, or that Bentley and Wackerman couldn’t provide the necessary speed for the rest of the guys, one could not be more wrong. Holding it all together is Graffin, but more on him later.
Only Rain, the second song on The Dissent of Man begins with an aptly vibrato filled lick that should be acknowledged by musicians everywhere as the manner in which punk rock bands—so often derided for their inchoate and amateur musicianship—should go about in recording music. Gurewitz, Baker, and Hetson are major players in the song crafting game. They are seasoned pros who just know how to pen a melody, and how to make it work in the context of a song. This is in evidence on several tracks throughout the album, but it’s what we have come to demand from the veteran punks.
If there is one criticism to level at 2004’s The Empire Strikes First, it is that the second half of the album is perhaps a little cumbersome, even lacking in melody at kinds. Fast forward to 2010 and we have a totally different scenario, Bad Religion maintaining their excellent sense of melody in the bridge before the solo of The Devil in Stitches, and even on later tracks such as I Won’t Say Anything and Ad Hominem, the former presenting a well worked heavy introduction before the gradual ascent to a melodious but strangely dark chorus. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The first impression of this album is that the lyrics are somewhat less tongue-tying and grandiloquent than the usual Bad Religion album. Sure, this might be the case, but there is also a degree to which the lyrics are just better adapted to the music. Graffin’s voice sounds right in check from the get go, when we get to hear his voice minus music for the first second or so of The Day that the Earth Stalled.
The only real low of the album is the penultimate song—This is Where the Fun is—which feels a little too much like filler. It is because of this song that one might feel that the second half of this album falls into the same trappings as 2004’s The Empire Strikes First. Simply put, it’s that song that doesn’t really have the intensity necessary for a slower Bad Religion song to work. The lyrics, too, sound a little below that which we demand. This misdemeanour is soon amended for in the shape of the final track—I Won’t Say Anything—a song which sees Graffin at what could be his most intimate, reflective, and sincere. // 8
Impression: Bad Religion really opens up on 2010’s The Dissent of Man, the release of which represents an impressive end to an impressive and exceptionally productive year for Bad Religion. This line-up has been together since 2004’s The Empire Strikes First, and it’s as cohesive as ever, resulting in a strong collection of 15 songs, which perhaps could have been trimmed to 13 or 14 songs. I just don’t feel that songs such as Someone to Believe, and Where the Fun is (both written by Brett) are really necessary to make The Dissent of Man the great record it is. // 8
The Dissent Of Man
Reviewed by:
disuse, on october 07, 2010 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Bad Religion has always been known to put out great sounding records, and this album is no exception. The production quality is on par with The Empire Strikes First and New Maps Of Hell.
There isn't so much a story behind the album as it just being a collection of awesome songs that have had a lot of thought and work put into them by a band in their 30 year of playing. They've spent a lot more time on the vocal melodies, with some songs having a bit of a folky sounds to it.
Most of the songs are a little slower. It's almost like listening to an Acoustic album, but with the full band. Don't get me wrong, I love the usual fast Bad Religion, but this shows a side of Bad Religion that hasn't been heard yet, and for lack of speed, they make up with thoughtful lyrics and great songs. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The is Greg Graffin's best. He sings with more melody and skill on this record. The lyrics are also quite different from usual Bad Religion. You can tell that they are moving in a new direction, probably due to being in their 30 year of playing. The lyrics are a lot more thought out and will take some time to listen to and understand, but you can tell that these songs mean something to these guys with the honesty in their sound and the way Greg delivers the lyrics. // 9
Impression: Bad Religion has always been a hard band to compare to others, because Bad Religion sounds like Bad Religion. Does it compare to their past catalogue? Definitely. Does it show signs of the band continuing? Yeah, it does. They still have it, and hopefully will still have a few albums to go.
What I love most about this album is the departure from the usual Bad Religion songwriting style. It's developed, but it's not alienated. There's not much to hate about this album, to be honest, but if I had to pick something then it would be I wish there were a few more tracks like "The Resist Stance". Also, I wish the second half of the album wasn't mostly slower tracks, because it does make the album seem a little weaker towards the end. I really hope Bad Religion have more to offer after this album because if "I Won't Say Anything" is their finale, it might be a bit disappointing.
All in all, great songs from a great band. Very solid album, not their absolute best, but definitely worth listening to. By the way, it's streaming on Myspace for anyone who wants to listen to it.
Stand out tracks:
"The Resist Stance"
"The Day That The Earth Stalled"
"Only Rain"
"Meeting Minds"
"Turn Your Back On Me" // 9
Bad Religion has to be one of the most consistent Punk-Rock bands to date. I missed them two years ago in Moncton and Halifax. Hope they decided to come back on their next tour! Great album.
Of all the New Album Reviews I read, Bad Religion is one of the few artists that don't have people spewing off hate in the comments. Maybe it's because they're just that good?
Of all the New Album Reviews I read, Bad Religion is one of the few artists that don't have people spewing off hate in the comments. Maybe it's because they're just that good?
Because people aren't interested in them as much as say BMTH who generate a lot of interest, whether its hate or not its still interest. thats a good quality i think.
After New Maps of Hell I was a little disappointed. This album completely restored my faith in Bad Religion. I've been a fan for a very long time and I'm glad to see this album come out. It has a very Empire Strikes First feel to it and I absolutely loved that album. Only Rain is great. Also, it's nice to hear Won't Somebody in a non-acoustic version. Wish I could make the trip to Cinci to see them in a few days They skipped Columbus.
Any criticisms of Obama? Probably not, as doing so is heresy.
I realized that too. Especially with Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown album (Which had no good breakdowns at all?!?) They'd bitched about Bush in AI, so I wasn't sure they knew what to write about this time. They pulled through with some America-sucks songs though.
i like this album, though not as much as "new maps of hell". i also find, out of the songs ive heard so far, that there isn't a really stand out track, though it is quite a solid album. plus i see them on the 15th, that's go kick so much ass
I heard the single for this album and I thought it was going to be sub-standard. "The Devil In Stitches" could not be farther from everything else on this album. This album is absolutely golden! With the exception of the single, every track on this album is amazing. BTW, this lineup has been around since The Process Of Belief, not The Empire Strikes First...
They skipped Columbus.