The Empire Strikes First - Bad Religion
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
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  1. Spin
    91
    Good records from the Descendents and Bad Religion in one year? Joe Strummer's ghost must be keeping close watch. [Jul 2004, p.110]
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  2. Pitchfork
    82
    One of its most charged and inspired records in years.
  3. Mojo
    80
    This is the band at their melodious best. [Jun 2004, p.112]
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  4. Magnet
    80
    As potent and timely as anything it released during the Reagan era. [#64, p.83]
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  5. Los Angeles Times
    75
    Even if some tracks unfold more like political manifestos than songs, Bad Religion has succeeded in expressing its outrage more eloquently while sustaining its musical muscle over the years. [6 Jun 2004]
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  6. Blender
    70
    Angrier than ever, Bad Religion aim punk's adolescent fury at grownup targets. [Jun/Jul 2004, p.134]
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  7. Q Magazine
    70
    A thrill from first to last. [Aug 2004, p.106]
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  8. Rolling Stone
    70
    Bad Religion sound more relevant than ever on their incendiary, political manifesto The Empire Strikes First.
  9. Trouser Press
    70
    While not as edgy as The Process of Belief, it is more complex and better produced.
  10. All Music Guide
    60
    The Empire Strikes First isn't a return to Bad Religion at its most vitriolic and unstoppable -- whether that could ever really happen is unclear, and probably unnecessary.
  11. Alternative Press
    60
    The songs have the urgency and vitriol we've come to expect from the band, but there's one major problem: the spit shine production. [Jul 2004, p.128]
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  12. Drowned In Sound
    60
    This is by no means a ‘bad’ album... and you’ll be hard-pushed to find a more topical anti-Bush punk album released this year, but after 20+ years and umpteen albums that - lets face it - haven’t really strayed much from their influential style, does anyone really need another Bad Religion album after this one?
  13. PopMatters
    60
    Despite Graffin and Gurewitz's intelligence and historical awareness, their artistic vision here suffers from oversimplification.
  14. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    The album is not a total loss, however. When Bad Religion turn to more interesting subject matter, the results are more than worthwhile.
  15. Village Voice
    30
    A bore of an album.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. SteveH
    6
    This is a solid album that does exactly what Bad Religion are supposed to do. It's melodic, it's angry, it gets to the point. Fans won't be disappointed.… Full Review »
  2. Dan
    9
    I think i have listened to this cd a dozen times in the past 24 hours and each time i find myself singing along, fist in the air. Let them Eat War is my new favorite Bad religion song.… Full Review »
  3. Anders
    9
    A solid, if unspecacular album. There are a bunch of good songs on here, and it's a good listen.
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