Summary:The sixth full-length studio release for the punk band led by Laura Jane Grace (who came out as transgendered in 2012) explores gender dysphoria.
I don't ever wanna talk that way again
I don't wanna know people like that anymore
As if there was an obligation
As if I owed you something
Black me...
Once it all sinks in, the self-released approach, scrapped-together band, and 29-minute running time should only shock those who expected this to be a huge statement by Grace on anyone's terms but her own. This is no rock opera, no American Idiot, no novelty.
Probably the best album of 2014 and the most creative and visceral of the decade. Awesome instrumental parts and a incredible lyrics. AProbably the best album of 2014 and the most creative and visceral of the decade. Awesome instrumental parts and a incredible lyrics. A hardcore masterpiece.…Expand
The blend of distinct fuzzy bass, loud melodic guitar, interesting thumping drums, and extremely emotional lyrics make the the best AM albumThe blend of distinct fuzzy bass, loud melodic guitar, interesting thumping drums, and extremely emotional lyrics make the the best AM album and best album of 2014. Easily…Expand
User score of 5.7??? Really? What the hell... Perhaps this has something to do with this being Laura's first album since she came out. Anyway,User score of 5.7??? Really? What the hell... Perhaps this has something to do with this being Laura's first album since she came out. Anyway, I find this album phenomenal. Much better and more emotional than White Crosses, which I also loved, this is Against Me!'s best album since Reinventing Axl Rose. It's more punk than anything in between then and now as well. Not only is this the rawest expression of angst in years, it's also an incredible exploration into the lives of people with gender dysphoria. Not only is this a musical achievement, but a social one as well. Maybe in ten years when all the transphobic nonsense has died down, this album will be seen as the masterpiece that it is!!!…Expand
For whatever possible reason I kept thinking Laura was going to try and actually sing like a female. For that reason alone, I was not sureFor whatever possible reason I kept thinking Laura was going to try and actually sing like a female. For that reason alone, I was not sure where this record was going to go. If she did, that would radically change the whole sound of the band. Low and behold, the title track opens up with some fantastic drumming, and then screams "Hey!" in classic Tom Gabel fashion. It was until I heard the lyrics that I was listening to Laura. Never have they sounded so passionate, as she delves her emotions in some pretty harsh ways, speaking about how no one sees her as a woman, but how they see her as just a **** It's not for the faint of heart, but it's some of the boldest song-writing Laura's ever done.
All In All, this (short) record packs a punch, ranging from literal Transgender Dysphoria Blues, to political anarchists anthems, to grieving over a dead friend. Against Me! are back and better sounding than anything they've done thus far. A-…Expand
This is the first Against Me! album I've heard, and while I'll admit before TDB came out I'd always gotten too much of a pop-punk kinda vibeThis is the first Against Me! album I've heard, and while I'll admit before TDB came out I'd always gotten too much of a pop-punk kinda vibe from them to really be interested in checking them out. Regardless of what their other stuff's like they're certainly on pretty good form here though - not only are the songs honed and visceral, but lyrics pack a punch too.…Expand
For my first exposure to this band and an album from the genre, this was a really great effort. Musically, all of the songs are tight andFor my first exposure to this band and an album from the genre, this was a really great effort. Musically, all of the songs are tight and catchy, if not particularly innovative. None of these songs are going to surprise you. With that said, it was a really enjoyable listening experience. I plan on burning this to listen to in my car (yeah, I am old school and don’t have an input for a phone/ipod), since I generally like upbeat stuff while I’m driving. Even listening to the whole album it does not get too monotonous despite the lack of tempo changes and pretty standard chord progressions. Part of that is the shortness of most of the tracks and the album itself, which is only about 30 minutes.
What really pushes this album above standard pop punk is the lyrical content. I truly applaud Laura Jane Grace for going to this almost confessional level of depth with the lyrics. After coming out, she could have just decided to stick to what I presume is their standard political repertoire of outward looking scathing punk. Instead she bared her soul and experiences. I’m so glad that she pulled it off and found the support to do so even as several band members departed after she came out.…Expand
This sounds just like a spoof of Green Day when they still made this kind of music. Totally overrated by critics, and, I don't want to be rudeThis sounds just like a spoof of Green Day when they still made this kind of music. Totally overrated by critics, and, I don't want to be rude at all, it feels as Grace's personal events and the (slyly) matching album title are the main reason for it. Average to the marrow and not worth buying.…Expand
