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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mysterious Anarcho Punx from Gainesville..., July 12, 2003
Against Me! are, without a doubt, the best punk band out right now. The lyrics are filled with emotion, and the music itself is an original blend of folk rock and power chords. If you've never had 11 songs change your outlook on life, I suggest you buy this album to see what it feels like. The album starts off with with what many consider their best song, "Pints of Guiness Make You Strong". Through his screaming, Tom Gabel shares the tale of his Grandfather's early demise from alcohol abuse and the toll it left on his Grandmother. When he sings, "If I'd known just how things would have ended up, I just would have let myself die", you can feel her pain. With a little more distortion, "Politics of Starving" could easily pass as a hardcore song. "We Laugh at Danger (and Break all the Rules)" is their anthem of life and music. When the music stops, and the gang vocals are all that remains, you can't help but scream right along. The original acoustic version of "I Still Love you Julie" appeared on their "Crime" EP. Though it's a change of pace, the full band version on this record is equally incredible. "Scream it Until You're Coughing up Blood" (aka "Jamaican Me Crazy") claims the title of Song With The Most Screaming In It. The guitar solo-esque part is almost haunting though. "Jordan's First Choice", "Those Anarcho Punx are Mysterious...", and "Reinventing Axl Rose" were originally recorded on their self-titled EP. Tom's voice seems to have deepened a bit since that recording, as is made evident by the opening to "Jordan's First Choice". I do have to say that I really preferred the acoustic version of "Those Anarcho Punx are Mysterious". This version just doesn't seem to capture the same emotion, and the "Hoo! Ha!" part might be kind of amusing, but it takes away from the song in my opinion. I really like the full band version of "Reinventing Axl Rose" though. It's another perfect anthem to have a crowd scream along to at a show. "Baby, I'm an Anarchist!" was written by Tom and some other people in a band he was in before Against Me!. The band thought it was a song too good to be forgotten though, so they re-recorded it. It's a departure from the rest of the album, as it's pretty funny (assuming you have some knowledge of anarchy, past and present). The world always needed an anarchist love song. "Walking is Still Honest" also appeared on the "Crime" EP. I like this version a lot better though. The music is intense, and the added vocals of "Never forget, I will not forget..." suit the song perfectly. "8 Full Hours of Sleep" reminds me of their earlier music, as it's primarily just Tom strumming his guitar and singing. It's a beautiful ballad about politics, love, and life, and the hope it takes to survive and truly be alive. At the end, he sings "I'd trade it all for the silence..." and a faint hum carries the album to it's end. This album isn't for everyone. It can't be background music. It demands the attention of the listener. Though it's a fun album, it's also a very serious one. When you listen to it, you truly FEEL it. That's something I can't say about most music that's out right now. I suggest buying it on vinyl, straight from No Idea Records. But the important thing is that you BUY IT. Now. Go see them live, too. They're incredible.
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by Against Me! 
