Customer Reviews

Versus God

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Rare are the punk bands who can manage to wear their ideals and principles on their sleeves without becoming anachronistic caricatures. Dillinger Four dispenses with run-of-the-mill punk rock artifice that's become so empty and rhetorical and common, the hollow sloganeering and the assumption that meticulously coiffed Manic Panic'd mohawks, spikey belts and a hundred punk band patches make for a political statement. On top of that, they manage to write great songs about their obvious disillusionment and frustration with the people who've turned a blind eye to, cashed in on, or otherwise abandoned their beliefs. While "Midwestern Songs for the Americas" tackled society on a more global level, with well-crafted, thoughtful songs about issues ranging from the prison system to the fashion industry to blue-collar wage slavery, "Versus God" turns its gaze inward, with the majority of the material focusing on the punk industry, the declawing of youth culture, cynicism and complacency. "Versus God" might as well have been titled "Versus Punk".

Musically, "Versus God" continues the evolution of Dillinger Four's grudgingly self-described pop-punk style. It's crunchy and catchy, with a solid foundation of punk roots that shows a variety of influences (from the requisite '77 Britpunk to SoCal hardcore to 80's Chicago/Touch and Go to Lookout! power pop) without being derivative or cliched. It's musical and melodic, perhaps their most accessible release yet. Yet the musicality is just a baited hook, a spoonful of sugar if you will, to ensure that their words get swallowed and absorbed.

Dillinger Four is a substantive, relevant band, and "Versus God" is the proof in the pudding.

Dillinger four's second full length on hopeless is a really great album but there are a few things that make it not as amazing as midwestern songs. First it misses the screaming that turns into pop-punk, that was my favorite part of the other. it also just isnt as catchy, but i have only had it for 3 or 4 days and i know it will grow on me. Anyway this is a great cd, and every song is really good especially "how many punx does it take to change a light bulb" and the very first song.

Dillinger Four make all other bands sound like they're faking it. Their honesty, intellect and sense of humor should make other bands cringe. "Midwestern Songs..." didn't leave my car stereo for something like 5 months. Then I saw them in Minneapolis and bought "This S--- Is Genius" and THAT stayed in there 6 months. "Versus God" is only going on a couple weeks but I'm thinking 7 months isn't out of the question. Do I only listen to Dillinger Four? Pretty much. Buy all their stuff and see them live, they deserve it.

This album, while having many redeeming qualities that fans of the band have come to love, is off a bit as far as lyrics are concerned. The duel vocals and fast paced punk are ever present, and the clarity of the songs is supurb, but I felt that this recording lacked a certain bite that came with their previous recordings. Many of the lyrics were too vague and similar to other songs on the album, but once you pop the cd in, all will be forgiven, because their musical talent makes up for all else. Overall a very solid and enjoyable effort, but their other two cd releases are slightly better.

all i can really say is that D4 is amazing. all there old 7"s are great, their first cd is amazing and this cd doesn't disappoint either. a definate must have.

Dillinger Four is not the type of band where you can listen to a few sound clips from online. They demand your attention and multiple listens in order to "get it". I've been listening to punk rock since I was around nine or ten(so about twelve years), and I consider D4 to be one of the best bands in North America at least. Clever lyrics,amazing melodies that are well hidden underneath some crazy music. This is the kind of band you need to listen to 3 or 4 times to get into. This is really good and catchy fast punk.

The rocknest show I've ever been to- D4 in Baltimore. Like all punk music, you have to listen to the tracks several times before you can appreciate them. This album is cool cause it's got a bit of a concept to it- a church choir fades in on one track, only to be drowned out by raging chords. Needless to say, D4 blows god out of the water

D4 is back and they're still packing a political punch. This is an amazing album but just not as fresh sounding as their debut but still a must have for punk fans. Still catchy and aggressive and witty as well.

these guys are amazing, not only is their music unblievable, their lyrics aer EXTREMELY well written. It's nice to find a left winged group that doesn't make songs about police brutality being bad, or killing people being bad. buy this cd, it's one of the best i have ever heard

This is the best album all year! Get up and buy it now. Some of the closing tracks lack the energy of the earlier ones, but don't be fooled, this is a great CD from one of MN's best.