New Wave
by Against Me!
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 59
  3. Negative: 12 out of 59

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  1. EliT.
    Oct 7, 2007
    5
    It might not be a sellout album, but it still saddens me to no end that we'll never get another "Axl". This is by no means an awful album, it's just doesn't seem the same as the Against Me! I knew and loved. 2 songs into the album I was hoping for merely a weak start, then the "ba, ba, bas" a la The Fratelli's "Flathead" kicked in, and I knew I was listening to the end It might not be a sellout album, but it still saddens me to no end that we'll never get another "Axl". This is by no means an awful album, it's just doesn't seem the same as the Against Me! I knew and loved. 2 songs into the album I was hoping for merely a weak start, then the "ba, ba, bas" a la The Fratelli's "Flathead" kicked in, and I knew I was listening to the end of the old Against Me! and personally, I'd look up Ben Lee's acoustic cover album of "New Wave", it's truer to the spirit of against me than the actual band is these days.… Expand
  2. AGB
    Aug 8, 2007
    4
    New Wave represents Against Me! moving up in the music world. This album sounds ultra produced and radio friendly which is a far cry from the raw anguish that Gabels voice used to be. These boys are moving on up and who can blame them for cashing in? It is still decent and still new material, but has no where near the feeling of Re-inventing Axl Rose or Searching for a Former Clarity.
  3. JasonM.
    Oct 12, 2007
    6
    It just doesn't have that feeling that their earlier albums did. As the Eternal Cowboy and Reinventing Axl Rose will always be timeless additions to the folk-punk community, whereas this is no different than most punk bands out there. I'm NOT accusing them of selling out, but the music just doesn't feel the same anymore. Their best work in my opinion: The Acoustic EP.
  4. JaredF.
    Oct 24, 2007
    4
    There are hits, there are misses, and then there's Against Me!'s New Wave. Teetering on verge of patchiness and cheese, this album hurts my heart to listen to. Self-appointed master of the obvious Tom Gabel takes us on a lyrical journey through the annals of a Tony Robbins self-help video collection. With quips like, "Stop! Take some time to think. Figure out what's There are hits, there are misses, and then there's Against Me!'s New Wave. Teetering on verge of patchiness and cheese, this album hurts my heart to listen to. Self-appointed master of the obvious Tom Gabel takes us on a lyrical journey through the annals of a Tony Robbins self-help video collection. With quips like, "Stop! Take some time to think. Figure out what's important to you..." and "You have to fight to stay in control of the situation." who needs enemies? If simply reading these sophomoric lyrics doesn't make you cringe, you have no soul. Granted, Gabel's signature poetic angst does shine through intermittently, I still have to say it gets lost in the overwhelming mediocrity of this album. I am a big fan of Against Me! (Is there a Band you traveled 1200 miles to see?) but I believe they CAN, HAVE, and hopefully (with crossed fingers and about ten nickels in a wishing well) WILL do better.… Expand
  5. TannerL
    Dec 6, 2007
    4
    I have tried and tried and tried but "New Wave" just doesn't grab me like any previous Against Me did. The First couple of songs started with promise but led into "Thrash Unreal" which really threw me off with the U2 style guitar effects. Followed eventually with an un-even duet with one of the girls from tegan and Sara and later a dance punk throw-away song that would make even I have tried and tried and tried but "New Wave" just doesn't grab me like any previous Against Me did. The First couple of songs started with promise but led into "Thrash Unreal" which really threw me off with the U2 style guitar effects. Followed eventually with an un-even duet with one of the girls from tegan and Sara and later a dance punk throw-away song that would make even Franz Ferdenand blush. The rest of the album eventually fumbles into a smattering of okay but ultimately forgettable songs that never really get a foot-hold in the mind.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    80
    New Wave is crisp, direct, and sharp. It's clean, but not glossy; it's defiant; it's brash; it's heartfelt.
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  2. Blender
    80
    Superproducer Butch Vig is around to help transform Gabel’s strident leftism and occasionally clumsy choruses (e.g., "Protest Songs! In response to military aggression!") into swing-state-ready stadium rock.
    Read full review
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Their best album to date.
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