True North
by Bad Religion
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Jan 22, 2013
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Feb 11, 2013
    100
    It's easily the band's best release in the last 10 years, and with time it will garner more appreciation in the overall catalog.
  2. BBC Music
    Jan 18, 2013
    90
    With its high-minded lyrical concerns, its family-sized choruses and its authors' buoyant pursuit of what, in lesser hands, could be a restrictive musical form, True North is a superior addition to Bad Religion's already towering body of work.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Jan 22, 2013
    83
    True North manages to navigate the fine line between philosophy and personal politics, a restraint that Bad Religion only rarely nails so evocatively.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 12, 2014
    80
    The compositions and the lyrics are strong, while the guys feel like they had a lot of fun recording.
  6. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 6, 2013
    80
    Concise, clever and at war with everything from alienation to greed and loss, it's a rallying cry in a world that's lost its voice. [Mar 2013, p.97]
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  7. Kerrang!
    Jan 29, 2013
    80
    As with all of Bad Religion's albums, True North is music played in glorious technicolour. [12 Jan 2013, p.53]
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  8. PopMatters
    Jan 23, 2013
    80
    While it's true that listeners looking for a more rounded rock record may come away feeling a little bludgeoned, the more important point is that for those along for the ride, time has done nothing to dull Graffin and Gurewitz's songwriting abilities.
  9. Boston Globe
    Jan 22, 2013
    80
    Bad Religion shaves its anti-establishment messages down to bare essentials and sounds practically feral.
  10. Alternative Press
    Jan 18, 2013
    80
    True North is an engaging return to form. [Feb 2013, p.88]
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  11. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 11, 2013
    70
    True North is another solid addition to a formidable canon.
  12. musicOMH.com
    Feb 1, 2013
    70
    True North is a decent album, but one with no real standout tracks.
  13. Consequence
    Jan 25, 2013
    70
    True North is another solid addition to the Bad Religion repertoire, even if it integrates itself a little too well to stand apart from the pack.
  14. Spin
    Jan 25, 2013
    70
    On their 16th(!) full-length, True North, the group's highly evolved savoir-faire proves their greatest asset.
  15. Exclaim
    Jan 22, 2013
    70
    True North (their 16th LP) lacks the visceral power and focused sense of purpose their trio of post-Epitaph return albums had, the band nevertheless sound unwilling to go gently into that good night.
  16. DIY Magazine
    Jan 18, 2013
    70
    True North, with its concise (only one song breaks the three minute barrier) bursts of dissatisfaction and alienation, includes some of the strongest, most focused material that the band have recorded in many years.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Mezmer
    Oct 27, 2016
    8
    This is another solid release from Bad Religion. There are no instant classics from it, but songs like "Robin Hood in Reverse", and the selfThis is another solid release from Bad Religion. There are no instant classics from it, but songs like "Robin Hood in Reverse", and the self titled, "True North" are great in their own way. Bad Religion's old sound shines through with this recent album, and the idea of True North and the "moral compass" is very prevalent. Graffin's observation of his son growing up and having issues with his own life and purpose, and relating to that, since Graffin went through the same experiences in his youth, was a major motivator for this album. All in all, a great release from Bad Religion, and one of their best releases for a long time.… Full Review »
  2. eyb0ss
    Apr 11, 2015
    9
    30 minutes of Bad Religion's typical smart lyrics and adrenaline rush. The entire album is perfectly summarized in the song **** You".30 minutes of Bad Religion's typical smart lyrics and adrenaline rush. The entire album is perfectly summarized in the song **** You". "Sorrow", however, is a satiric and emotional retelling of the story of Job. Sorrow specifically doesn't get enough credit, and is one of the finest songs the band has produced.Great album, BR never disappoints its fans.… Full Review »
  3. ricco94
    Mar 13, 2013
    9
    True North is the first important release of 2013, and it is an excellent work by Greg Graffin and all the other guys. There are many goodTrue North is the first important release of 2013, and it is an excellent work by Greg Graffin and all the other guys. There are many good songs and You is really exciting. No bad songs, although I don't like Vanity very much. Obviously it's not No Control, but it sounds very good.… Full Review »
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