Customer Reviews

Process of Belief

5 star:		(107)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Bad Religion is more than just a punk rock band. They are a punk rock institution. They have existed for almost 20 years and have always been a part of the musical evolution that is independent music. Your Blink 182s, your Sum 41s, your New Found Glories; none of them would exist if it wasn't for Bad Religion. It is only fitting, then, that "The Process Of Belief" blows all of those bands [and about a million more] out of the water.

The most-hyped point about this album, of course, is the fact that guitarist/songwriter Brett Gurewitz is back in the band after the band's somewhat-failed stint on major label Atlantic Records and subsequent return to Brett's own label Epitaph. What does this mean? It means that vocalist Greg Graffin and Gurewitz wrote together for the first time significantly since 1994. This is the punk rock equivalent of John Lennon and Paul McCartney getting the band back together. If you're not familiar with them [and if that's the case, I feel sorry for you], maybe the basketball analogy of Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson both reuniting with the Chicago Bulls at the same time could help you understand the importance of the situation better. This is a huge deal, and the album definitely lives up to the pressure put upon it.

From the second you press play, the disc shows no intention of letting up on intensity. The trio of opening tracks "Supersonic," "Prove It," and "Can't Stop It" plow through the listener in barely more than 3 minutes total, shushing all nay sayers who said this band had lost their passion for their music. The band has rarely sounded tighter with music this fast. Up next is "Broken," one of the many standouts on this disc. Slowing the album down just a tad [although there's still plenty of energy], this song's infectious chorus coupled with a tasteful acoustic guitar during the verses gets this song my vote for "radio single." I wouldn't be surprised if this is the song they play on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on January 29th. "Kyoto Now!" is the band's collective shot at American politics [what punk album would be complete without one?], and they do a fine job of trying to awaken their audience to the wrongdoings of our capitalist nation. On the other hand, "Sorrow" is an incredibly moving, emotional number that, even though it was written months before the 9/11 attacks, it's repeating message of "And there will be sorrow no more" sticks hard to your ribcage, allowing you to digest it slowly. This song gives me shivers when I listen to it. "The Defense" is a sort of "21st Century Digital Boy" part 2 for the band, with singer Graffin ranting about the desensitization of America's youth coupled with the eventual technological downfall of our basic human rights. It's deep, it's profound, and it's punk rock? Who would have guessed, right?

Overall, the band's triple guitar attack is breathtakingly intricate without losing any ferocity and the drumming is nothing short of rock solid throughout the entire album, partially due to new drummer Brooks Wackerman and his astounding chops. Nothing sounds overdone, with fills in all the right places and breakneck tempos abounding. The band's vocal harmonies, as usual, are bar none. Even though most people say the Ramones are the punk rock version of the Beach Boys, I'd venture to say that Bad Religion doesn't fall far from the Beach Boys inspiration tree with well-crafted melodies and harmonies like these. With tracks like "Destined For Nothing" and the absolute sonic bombast of "Epiphany," you'll find yourself singing along with these in your sleep, or, if you're like me, coming up with your own harmonies to blend in with the already tri-voiced parts. Another well done part of the album are the liner notes and album artwork. The booklet is absolutely gorgeous, with layered tracing paper at some points as well as lyrical foldouts. If you happen to own Radiohead's "Kid A," imagine a punk rock version of their CD booklet and you'll be on the right track. Graffin and Gurewitz have regained their chemistry which made all their early work like "Suffer" and "Against The Grain" so successful. This isn't your father's Bad Religion, and it's a good thing, too - I don't think he could handle it.

In the past, I was never a big fan of punk. There were a few exceptions. I've always been a big fan of Social Distortion, The Misfits (Danzig days) and Black Flag. I'd only listened to Bad Religion casually and had never really dug into their catalog. When a friend suggested that I pick up "The Process of Belief", I decided to give it a run. Two weeks later, it was still in my player.

Honestly, this is an album that both fans and non-fans of punk will love. I agree with the editorial that it is an "inspiring rock record", but that's only the half of it. The music is fast and tight and the lyrics are so sharp, they stay in your head for weeks. No, this isn't the new Blink album. In fact, after hearing this one a couple of times you'll be saying "Blink who?".

The album starts out strong with the go-for-the-throat "Supersonic" and never lets up once. "Prove It" has a slightly less catchy chorus but still burns in deep after a couple of listens. "Broken" is an accoustic-based tune that begs for radio airplay. "Sorrow" starts off with a reggae-influenced beat then kicks in. You'll be hitting the repeat button frequently on that one. Also, my favorite track, "Epiphany" has a great chorus and will no doubt, be a radio hit...not that pop-chart status are what these guys are striving for. Just listen to the lyrics and you'll realize that there's more going on in their heads than getting laid and making money.

Anyhow, I've said enough here. Just listen to the samples if you don't want to take my word for it. Buy this one and you'll have no regrets. You might even be enlightened.

I don't claim to know much about punk music or Bad Religion, but I do know what I like and Bad Religion's 2002 album "The Process of Belief" is one of the coolest CDs to ever hit my stereo system.

I've been a fan of Green Day and The Offspring, both artists who started out punk and then mixed a bit of mainstream appeal into their music. However, Bad Religion didn't compromise on this one and it shows.

The song that initially pulled me in was "Broken", just an utterly great hard-edged punk rocker with a touch of melody that anyone could love. Many songs fit that vein like "Kyoto Now!" and "Epiphany" but even the hardest songs are great. "Destined For Nothing" and "The Defense" are among the best. It took a bit for me to warm up to the first three tracks "Supersonic", "Prove It" and "Can't Stop It" which are all barely a minute long each and have the same kind of punk riff. Overall though, the whole CD is solid without a clunker among the tracks and at a mere 36 minutes, there's no filler taking up space.

It's a shame that radio has long since abandoned these guys. Really cool rock albums like "The Process of Belief" are hard to come by nowadays. I highly recommend it.

This is it!!! Bad Religion is back and they have created one of their finest albums ever. Not usually the case for a twenty-year old band. The original songwriting team of singer Greg Graffin and guitarist Brett Gurewitz, arguably the McCartney/Lennon of punk, have reunited and the band now features an impressive three-guitar attack and versatile former session drummer Brooks Wackerman. Longtime fans or newer fans who were hooked on the more recent albums like "No Substance" or "The New America" will be VERY pleased. "The Process of Belief" is an album that is both as fast as the older stuff like "Suffer", "Against the Grain", and "Generator", and as diverse as my favorite BR album, "Stranger Than Fiction", the last album to fully feature Gurewitz until now. As for the songs, Bad Religion basically pioneered the modern hybrid of raw heaviness and multiple-vocal harmonies. For the most part, the album is chock full of that speed and those "oozin aahs" in tracks like "Supersonic" and "Can't Stop It", but along with the expected come some new and welcome surprises such as the acoustic guitars in the verses of "Broken", the Police-ish opening of "Sorrow", the hypnotic and moody "The Defense", and even a message to the outcasts in "You Don't Belong".

This is punk at its finest and then some. Bad Religion continue to offer the goods while evolving in its sound, and they still have insightful comments to make about the world we live in. Don't walk, run to your nearest modem and own this ...

I'm going to cover all of bases in this review. Before I get to the music I am going to describe exactly what happened before, during and obviously after my purchase when this came out on the 22nd.
Everyone I knew that works at a record store told me to avoid this cd. I can understand their discretion seeing that Bad Religion's last two efforts weren't their best. Well, the cellophane came off and I was greeted by incredible artwork and packaging. They really outdid themselves this time. Next point of intense curiosity was the fact that there is now 3 guitar players. This is the lineup : Jay Bentley ~ Bass, Brian Baker ~ Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Greg Graffin ~ Lead Vocals, Brett Gurewitz ~ Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Greg Hetson ~ Lead and Rhythm Guitar, and Brooks Wackerman on Drums. Knowing that I would be able to hear Bad Religion with 3 guitarists really got my curiosity level rising.
Moving on to how the album sounds song by song. The first song 'Supersonic' reminds me of a cross between the Gray Race and Stranger Than Fiction. Fast riffing and real catchy melodies. Like usual. This song has a great chorus. It stays in my head for most of the day after one listen.
The second song is 'Prove It'. Almost the same as the first song. Maybe not quite as catchy as the first song but definately a solid song. 'Can't Stop It' is number 3. This song is just a tease. It's only 1 minute and 9 seconds long but it reminds me alot of Anesthesia from the Against The Grain album. Another Highlight. Song number 4 is 'Broken'. This one has to be the single. Reminds me of Stranger Than Fiction. I don't know which is catchier, the verses or the chorus. 'Destined For Nothing' is the fifth song. Another fast one. More along the lines of the Generator album with this one, kinda like Two Babies In The Dark. Followed by 'Materialist' which totally brings me back to Incomplete on the Stranger Than Fiction album. So far there hasn't been a single boring song, every one is a solid effort and 100% rocking. 'Kyoto Now!' is number 7. Starts off like a song off of Recipe For Hate, but then kicks into a Stranger Than Fiction or Gray Race type swing. Nonetheless a solid track. Track number 8 is 'Sorrow'. Ok, it seems to have started to slow down abit with this one. Not that the song itself is slower, but the mood changes to that like Recipe For Hate,remember the song My Poor Friend Me? 'Epiphany' is a weird track. The riffs are great along with the melodies but there is alot of acoustic guitar used in this one, makes it kinda weird. 'Evangeline' starts off with a riff and the drums totally build it up after that. The way the song is sang reminds me of Anesthesia off of Against The Grain. Just listen to the chorus. Yet again, another solid track. 'The Defense' is number 11. Awesome, awesome, awesome song. Makes me think of Inner Logic which is on Stranger Than Fiction. 'The Lie' is next. This one starts off rockin. Not as catchy as some of the other songs but totally up there with the rest of this album. Song number 13 is 'You Don't Belong'. It's catchy but it seems really repetitive to me. And last but not least is the finale. 'Bored and Extremely Dangerous'. Great hooks, great chorus. Awesome song progression.
So, to wrap it up, the new Bad Religion album is (expletive deleted) awesome. They really got it together on this one. Fans of Stranger Than Fiction, Gray Race, and Against The Grain should be really happy. If you are new to Bad Religion then this is also a good place to start. A good solid album from a pulsating brain of a band.

First of all, let me admit that I am a 35 year old man who rarely likes fast or loud music anymore. I usually spend my time listening to groups like Belle and Sabastian, Stone Roses, Van Morrison, Nick Drake, The Smiths, etc. It's not that I haven't tried listening to certain hardcore punk or modern heavy metal bands. It's just that I find their lack of melody and lack of originality terribly frustrating and boring. It's not simply that my ears can't take "loud" music anymore. The heavy metal groups are usually fronted by a singer who wants to either sound like the Cookie Monster or Rob Halford. A normal sounding voice is simply too much to ask from these guys. Most hardcore groups are rarely original and just try to play as fast as they can and usually have a singer who likes to sing with a whiny voice or a gruff voice.


Imagine my surprise when I finally found a group that played fast and had a singer who had a voice that a man over 30 could tolerate. As if that wasn't enough, this group also had songs that were highly melodic and not lyrically inane. The first album I ever heard from Bad Religion was No Control. The songs weren't as melodic as I would have liked, but I found the music and the singer's voice and style of singing absolutely invigorating. Sadly, the album was a cassette and it eventually fell apart. Since I wasn't absolutely in love with the album, I never actively sought to buy it again.

Years later I bought a bunch of cassettes from an Ebay auction. Bad Religion's Recipe for Hate was included in the lot. I decided to listen to it once. I figured at least the singer wouldn't give this rapidly aging dude a headache. Needless to say, I was blown away by the album. It was much more melodic than No Control. I truly love RECIPE. I then read some reviews of other albums and decided to buy Against the Grain. Sadly, I didn't find that album appealing. The music just sounded too thrashy, too short and seemed repetitive and didn't reach the melodic heights of RECIPE.

I had no idea which album to buy next or even if I should buy another album. I'm glad to say that PROCESS was my next choice. The few bad reviews came from people saying it was too poppy and wasn't hard enough. This was my clue that I would probably enjoy it more than Against the Grain. My decision turned out to be a good one. This album is much more melodic than Against the Grain. I simply love it. The songs are more diverse and more melodic. I'm planning to buy the EMPIRE album next. The old hardcore fans don't seem to enjoy it as much as their older albums. That's a sign to me that EMPIRE is probably going to be great.

When you are 35 years old, you are no longer interested whether a group has "sold out." You no longer get into major arguments with your friends if the new album by your favorite group sounds "wimpy." Trust me, I went through that phase when I was young. Metallica has had to deal with such stuff from their old heavy metal fans. It's rather pathetic to watch. I'm now only interested in what sounds good. Bad Religion no longer make albums like they did fifteen years ago. They have not sold out. Their melodies have grown and the songs are more diverse. They have simply grown and gotten better. For those who want them to sound like they did fifteen years ago, it's not going to happen. They can't return to what they once were. They must be who they currently are and not what you want them to be. Graffin is simply too smart to have remained stagnant.

By the way, if anyone knows another hardcore band they might think I like, mention it in future reviews. Right now Bad Religion is the only hardcore punk band I can truly say I like. I heard the Misfits and love the singer's Elvis voice and many of the songs have great hooks, but the production on those albums is so bad, I can't listen to them.

I already own the empire strikes first and i was blown away! No other punk band has the same quality. So my expectations for the process of belief were high. And I was not dissapointed. These guys are great. And there not just punk great there music great. Graffin nows how to sing and doesn't just scream. The writting of Graffin/Gurewitz is just awesome and teamed up with great musicians is bound to create a great band(they have been around for more then 2 decades). Now more about the album:

Supersonic: 9/10- It just starts of the album with great speed: I go supersonic when I listen to this. Great guitar!
Prove It: 8/10- Another fast paced song under 2 minutes and this is when you realize what a awesome album this is.
Can't Stop It: 7/10- Hardcore punk. Not one of my favourites songs but not bad at all.
Broken: 9/10- The second single of the album. Slowes down the furious speed of the 3 other songs. Lyrics are kinda depressing but i like it a lot.
Destined For Nothing: 9/10- Startes out with the always welcome wohhhhhhahhhhhhh. It takes the speed back up again with a punkish hue. In this song you also realize that the lyrics in this album are more personal then the usual religion or political lyrics.
Materialist: 8/10- Another hardcore punk song with a sick beat.
Kyoto Now!: 10/10- WOW!!!!!!!! My favourite song on the album. The beat is great and the lyrics just blow me away. This song just makes it worth buying the album.
Sorrow: 10/10 - The first single. I'm not sure it deserves 10 but the lyrics make it worth giving it 10. There just fantastic. One of my favourite songs on the album
Epiphany: 9/10- The slowest song on the album but one of the best! I love the chorus.
Evangeline: 9/10- The first time I heared this I laughed my head off.But it is actually very good. The chorus is gold. I guess we have to thank Evangeline for this one.
The Defense: 9/10- The melowist song on the album. But it gives the album another kinda style. Sounds kinda gothic. But the chorus is much more BR . Sounds kinda like to another abyss but much better
The Lie: 8/10- Very nice flow but not a better song because the lyrics are very repetetive.
You Don't Belong: 8/10- I think this one is about a highschool reunion. The lyrics give me a reason to live. If you feel bad or worse listen to this song!
Bored And Extremely Dangerous: 8/10- This song seames to me tat they just wanted one more song on the album. It doesn't matter. It's good anyway. You may think it's over but it's not.

And there it is. The greatest punk band ever!

For all you people that Bad Religion had softened up for good, prepare to be amazed. After Paul, their original drummer left after Against the Grain, Bad Religion slowed down their sound, no more where there any super fast infectious tracks that carried "Suffer" "No Control" and "Against the Grain". The next few cds, "Generator", "Recipe For Hate" and "Stranger Than Fiction" were still pretty good though, but very experimental. The band still pulled it off though, keeping many of their fans and gaining many new ones. However, a heavy hit to the group, Mr. Brett, their world famous lead guitar had left the band after "Stranger than Fiction". This eliminated about half of the group's songwriting ability. Their cds were always about 48% written by Greg Graffin, their frontman, 48% written by Mr. Brett, and 4% rest of the band. The next cd, "The Gray Race" was 97% written by Greg while only minimal hints of help came from the new guitarist, Brian Baker who took Mr. Brett's place. Anyhow, they still pulled off a strong cd, but you could tell that they were getting shaky. The gutair was much slower than any of the previous cds, but Graffin held the cd together with his strong voice and great lyrics. However, the next two cds, "No Substance" and "New America" were grindingly below average. Graffin again wrote about 97% of the cds (I actually think he wrote all of New America though), but this time, the energy was almost completely gone. If not bad enough, they started opening for Blink 182 at concerts. This was just embarrasing. Bad Religion is much, much more talented than Blink, and to open for them? this was nothing more than embarrasing. After that tour though, a terrible tradgey happened when their current drummer Bobby was in a terrible accident which paralyzed him and ended his carrer. As if that wasn't enough, the band was losing fans rapidly due to their previous two cds and the Blink tour. When things were looking as bad as ever, all of a sudden, a miracle happened, Mr. Brett rejoined the band. With him and new drummer Brooks Wackerman, Bad Religion went back to the studio and recorded "The Process of Belief", and wow, it's amazing.

The cd cannot, and I really mean cannot be any better than this. Bad Religion is back at their infectious pace which takes them back to the days of "Suffer", "No Control" and "Against the Grain". This is such a welcome need from these guys. Fans of their old cds, prepare to be amazed. Bad Religion has never been better, and this is easily one of their best cds to date, no joke. Mr. Brett's guitar work is as amazing as it always was, and Greg's voice is also as strong as ever. This is an opportunity you'd be crazy to pass up.

The cd opens up with the fast paced "Supersonic", an awesome song that sounds like it was taken right off "No Control". I almost soiled myself after hearing it for the first time, I couldn't beleive they had gone back to their old roots. The cd continues it's strong sound throughout it, and it doesn't let up. The really great ones here are "Broken", "Destined for Nothing", "Kyoto Now", "Epiphany" (the ballad track), "Evangeline", "The Defense" and "You Don't Belong". The rest of the cd is really awesome as well, and the songwriting has never been stronger. This is the Bad Religion I know.

You have absoluetely no reason to pass this cd up. Bad Religion is back and as strong as ever. With the return of Mr. Brett, the guitar is the best it's ever been for a long time, and Greg's voice is much stronger than it was on the last two cds. Get this now, and cherish it forever with their other gems, "No Control" and "Against the Grain". Happy Listening!

Not being a firm athiest, I'm not exactly your typical BR listener. While I don't share their point of view on faith, I do know damn good punk rock music when I hear it, and this is it guys. I don't think that BR is as much against having faith as they are against fanaticism and fundamentalism. Though I am Christian, I really enjoy this CD, and have just leared to take their point of view with a grain of salt.

Seeing as I was just starting grade school when they came out, I should first thank my ever-so-wise father for turning me on to BR. The first CD I ever owned was No Control. Many teachers seemed to find it disturbing that a 4th graded was belting out "I Want To Conquer The World" on the playground.

With the release of "Process of Belief", the band has my renewed apreciation. It also has me dusting off my older BR CDs and rocking out to them nonstop. I'm glad to see them once again pioneering the punk rock scene, and even blowing away the newcomers. I'd also like to note that as good as this and their older albums are, Bad Religion is one of those bands that is 50 times better in concert.

Oh, and as for the moron who said they were ripping off Good Charlotte, sure... They were just sitting around one day watching MTV & taking notes. Then they got in their friggin time machine and went back twenty years. That's exactlly what happened.

If you are a fan of Good Charlotte, Blink 182, Sum 41 or the like, then pick up a copy of this CD, "No Control", "Suffer", or any one of their older CD's. This will show you where it all started. Not to mention the fact that it will get you listening to better music.