Bound by Ties of Blood and Affection

Good Riddance

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fat Wreck Chords
• ASIN: B000094Q2E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #191,302 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like wine, they get better with age..., August 2, 2003

By	Glenn (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews

With their sixth full-length, Bound by Ties of Blood and Affection, Santa Cruz's Good Riddance continue to develop and hone the sound they nearly perfected on its predecessor, Symptoms of a Leveling Spirit. This LP basically picks up where that one left off, and Russ's sharp lyrics continue to cut like a serrated edge. Adding Luke's anthemic guitar work, Chuck's meanly steady basslines, and Dave's unpredictable drumming to the mix makes for an incredibly compelling release.

These lyrics say more in a few paragraphs than some bands cough out in their entire discographies. By and large, the album sounds slightly more confident than Symptoms, but with an obviously greater cynical aftertaste than much of their back catalog. Topics include long distance love, media influence, and the disappointment that comes with age and from experience, among other relevent social issues. The album's conclusion sums up the retrospective feeling that life may have cheated us all: "So what's it all for? / When the lies mean so much more / Much more than reality / And what's the use of keeping score / When I've lost?" In addition, the literary quality of the lyrics is incredible. What other punk bands are going to name-drop James Joyce and adapt lines from Bukowski poems? Not too many.

So...

If you're looking for thoughtful and honest lyrical content which actually strays from the banal ideologies of most of the lyrics in this genre, then Good Riddance will help you out. And the music ain't too bad either.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good work by G.R., June 10, 2003

By	Brian K (Hayden, Idaho United States) - See all my reviews

This release grows on you, the more times you listen to it.
It's not as hard as Symptoms of a Leveling Spirit, but it's brilliant work. Once again, any true fan should buy this CD.
I would say it's one of their better albums.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best good riddance album yet, July 27, 2004

By	J. L Owens "owens15" (San Luis Obispo, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very very good CD. I own 3 other GR cd's besides this one, and this is definitely the best. Russ' voice has improved tremendously over time, especially compared with albums like "For God and Country." It seems like he has finally found his voice, and added the perfect amount of melody with hardcore. GR also has Bad Religion-esque lyrics, thought provoking with frequent 5-syllabled words. There are important messages in most songs, and then just some hardcore fun like track 2. What blows me away is that it seems less people now listen to Good Riddance, just as they are starting to get great. Anyway, do yourself a favor and buy this album.