Customer Reviews

The Disco Before the Breakdown

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love Against Me! to death. Reinventing Axl Rose is within my top three favorite albums of all time. They aren't "good because they're different"; they're different because they're good. They put so much heart into so many of their songs, and don't filter it out by running it through machines in a recording studio two dozen times. I don't understand pop culture's obsession with pretending to be perfect. Against Me! has no misconceptions about themselves, and seem perfectly happy to be who they are.

This being said, Disco Before the Breakdown does little for me. I simply don't feel the passion in these three tracks the way that I do in so many of their other songs. Many people obviously do, and I respect that. However, in my book there will always be a few songs that epitomize everything that Against Me! means to me. None of the songs on this album come close. I'm a bit disappointed, but I suppose I'll survive.

-StB

so maybe against me! isn't the most musically talented band out there. they don't have the best voices, they aren't always on key and every now and then there guitars are a bit off. but they are raw, pure, and punk. maybe they don't fit the technical "punk" definition, but they have the energy, attitude and spirit of what punk is all about. there is no other band like them. they are in a genre all in their own. this cd, moreso than their others, will make you see all the heart and raw emotion that goes into their music. Just listen to "tonight we're gonna give 35%." that sh*t gives me goosebumps just listening to it and how personal it is. trust me, you will feel a connection with against me! that is far more impacting than a put-together band with a perfect, cookie-cutter sound.

this was my first against me! album (but not the first time I've listened to them). this single has three balladish tracks, done punk style. personally my favorite is tonight we're going to give it 35%.

buy it on vinyl. its only 5 bucks or so.

This is a short EP from Against Me!, only 3 songs. A lot of people don't like it. A lot of people are stupid.

It starts off with title-track, which is unlike anything I ever expected from the band. "Disco Before the Breakdown" tells the song of a love looked down upon by society, accompanied by ska riffs and a horns section. It's completely different from anything they did previously, yet it still somehow manages to sound like Against Me!.

"Tonight We're Gonna Give it 35%" is a horrible, horrible title. It's probably the most beautiful, heartbreaking song they've ever recorded though. Don't let the lyrics fool you though, this song rocks. My favorite part is when he breaks down at the end of the song, and cries out to the god he doesn't believe in. It's something I think a lot of us can relate to: being so hopeless that we'll search for answers anwhere. The following guitar solo is pretty darn cool too.

"Beginning in an Ending" is one of the least popular Against Me! songs, but I really like it. It takes it a while to start, but once it does, it's worth it. "In your arms, I don't know who I am" is the most tender and beautiful lyric Tom has ever penned. He goes on to sing about "taking all" he "knows about nihilism, and trying to build it into a life". After that, the song really picks up and he basically screams the rest of it. It's so emotional and beautiful if you just have a little patience.

If this is the direction they're heading in, I'm not let down at all. I can't wait to hear what's next.

I will be buying this EP for Christmas because it has gotten me through some tough times in life. The lyrics are utterly depressing and borderline suicidal. But if you are on your knees in a bathroom praying to a god you don't even believe in, and you put this on, you will feel as if Against Me! knows exactly how you are feeling and you have a shoulder to lean on.

It is short. Which is sad, because when it's over you just want it to keep going on and on. But it is what it is: an absolutely beautiful record overflowing with soul. There's not much else I can say about it. Buy it.

Unfortunately, this EP is over all too soon, for the music contained therein is something special. Gabel's songwriting is in fine form here, and the shoddy production which somewhat diminished the emotional impact of Reinventing Axl Rose has thankfully been replaced here by a soundscape that while not flashy, is a substantial improvement that does a lot to enhance the songs, giving them a layered quality that makes them more friendly to the ear but still real and uncommercial. Essentially, this EP serves as a bridge between early and later Against Me!, embodying the uncompromising, middle finger attitude of older releases while incorporating better production that makes the music more powerful (such production finally goes over-the-top on 2007's New Wave).

probably 3 of my favorite against me songs, if you don't have this and you like against me! you should get it. Get this and crime. Just get every against me! albulm, they don't have any bad releases.

Back when Against Me! didn't bring us vacuum-packed EZ rebellion, completely devoid of passion! If you like Crime then its possible you'll like this. It's different than Crime but the same heart is there. The horn section's nice.

At first glance, this 3 song set doesnt look very apealing. Trust me, its awesome. If you like against me and you dont have the disco before the breakdown yet, get it as soon as possible. This is also an excellent pick for a first cd if you want to give this band a try. One that you can listen to over and over for hours.

ok, i bought this the same day i bought Tear It Up's Nothing to Nothing LP, so i only listened to it once. i was not impressed at all with this release upon the first listen, until i listened to it a few times and read the lyric sheet. Tonight We're Gonna Give It 35% is my favorite song on this EP...but as a whole it just sounds better when you hear both sides (or the cd).