The Process of Belief

Bad Religion

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2002)
• Original Release Date: February 12, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Epitaph / Ada
• ASIN: B00005U8H5
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,264 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Supersonic

2. Prove It

3. Can't Stop It

4. Broken

5. Destined for Nothing

6. Materialist

7. Kyoto Now!

8. Sorrow

9. Epiphany

10. Evangeline

11. The Defense

12. The Lie

13. You Don't Belong

14. Bored and Extremely Dangerous

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Process of Belief finds Bad Religion returning to their roots in two important aspects. First, original guitarist Brett Gurewitz has rejoined the ranks, bringing with him the taut songwriting skills that made Bad Religion hardcore pioneers in the mid-1980s. Secondly, the band has returned to Gurewitz's successful indie imprint Epitaph after years on a major. The result is an album that captures the clean joy and vigor of melodic hardcore without sacrificing its moral core. Songs like "Supersonic" and "Prove It" are fast, catchy, and irresistible examples of the kind of prime ADD punk that's over before you know it. But the likes of "Materialist" and "Kyoto Now" find Bad Religion at their best. Greg Graffin sings at one point that "you might not think that there's any wisdom in a f***ed up punk rock song," but his rants against global pollution, ambition, and family politics prove otherwise. There are a few surprises as well--"Broken" is almost an acoustic chart anthem while "Bored and Extremely Dangerous" could be a Sebadoh song. In all, The Process of Belief is confirmation that you don't need big shorts and a low IQ to make a prime-grade punk rock album. --Ian Watson

Product Description

The newest Bad Religion album, 'The Process Of Belief' is no mere hardcore revivalism; it is, in fact, the complete evolution of punk music, a record that successfully redefines a genre the band helped to popularize. If you love punk rock, this disc will surely quench your thirst like no other, and if you're simply looking for an incredibly vital and inspiring rock record, the same holds true. CD packaged in an O-card. Epitaph Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic., May 27, 2002

By	Scott Heisel (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars in my opinion, the best rock album of the year so far., May 17, 2002

By	Bill Allison "Bill Allison" (Southwest Missouri, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best punk CDs ever, April 3, 2003

By	J. C. Steuber "Kaxxar the fox" (Columbus) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.