Against Me!
There appears to be a significant gap between Folk and Punk. Folk believes not all is right with the world but there is a basic belief in human goodness to rectify the situation. The governing premise is people will do the right thing for the greater good.
Punk knows the world is messed up and that people are vile. The trick is to keep the whole mess at bay for as long as possible. So it is surprising that Tom Gabel, a one-time Gainesville, Fl, stool straddling Folk singer should front the Punk band Against Me!. Perhaps the divide is not as great as it initially appears. Though Punk is far rowdier than Folk, both are a form of protest.
Back in '01, Gabel was joined by guitarist James Bowman, bassist Andrew Seward and drummer Warren Oakes. As time passed, and demos rolled out, the group got considerably louder. Always a good sign.
Against Me!'s chaotic Punk sound was unleashed the following year on the brilliantly titled "Reinventing Axl Rose." After that, the group moved from No Idea to another, but more prominent indie label, Fat Wreck Chords, releasing "As The Eternal Cowboy." "Searching For A Former Clarity" hit in '05 and led to a nationwide (all 50 states) trek. The relentless touring continued into '06 as Against Me! opened for the Alkaline Trio. Then Against Me! cashed in their experience for the Fat Wreck release "Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live In London!!!" The title says it all.
It's happened many times before. A long time indie band signs with a major label. They have an audience that numbers in the thousands, but not the hundreds of thousands. Maybe it's time to reconsider a major label's overtures or perhaps it's the first time they've asked. Either way, the group leaves the indie, in this case Fat Wreck Chords, for Sire. With a major label there are some automatics.
1) More marketing/promotional dollars - check.
2) Big name producer assigned - Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, AFI and, of course Garbage - the entire list is much, much longer) - check.
3) Cloying pop ballad hit for mainstream acceptance. Whoops, that was absent.
In fact, '07 release, "New Wave" amped up the group's sound - and for the better.
Ever since the post-Grunge '90s anytime someone mentions a new group with Punk leanings they are compelled to add "power-pop," as in "power-pop Punk." The connotation implies the group has a tough edge but tempers it with enough pop sensibilities to sell CDs. Well, Against Me! is one of the few bands that don't need (or want) the "power-pop" affectation. They are simply Punk. Loud and chaotic, the lyrics are shouted and songs attacked. Just the way Punk should be. The title track on "Reinventing Axl Rose" is frenzied and nearly unravels but manages to propel itself forward. "We Laugh At Danger (And Break All The Rules)" and "Scream It Until You're Coughing Up Blood" set the lyrical tone and are the album's trip wires.
The general consensus (among record promo people and critic types) is that "Searching For A Former Clarity" is more accessible than the earlier "As The Eternal Cowboy." That may be, but "Eternal Cowboy" is far superior. It opens with the high octane "T.S.R. (This Shit Rules)" and rolls into the hard hitting "Cliché Guevara."
Surprisingly, there are also a couple exceptional acoustic tracks in "Sink Florida Sink" with loose frat boy sounding backing vocals, and "Unsubstantiated Rumors Are Good Enough For Me (To Base My Life Upon), that sounds like Punk unplugged. The old Folk tendencies seep through but not too much.
On "Slurring Rhythms" ("whoa" it's just that), "A Brief Yet Triumphant Intermission" and "Turn Those Clapping Hands Into Angry Ballad Fists," Against Me! play fast and sing faster. Sometimes it's the other way around but not often.
"Searching For A Former Clarity" has its strengths too. It opens with the harsh "Miami" (what do these guys have against the Sunshine State?). "Unprotected Sex With Multiple Partners," is actually a vicious song about the music business (as in "the music biz is no safer than…"). "From Her Lips To God's Ears," "Pretty Girls" and the honestly titled "Even At Our Worst We're Still Better Than Most (The Roller)" show Against Me! at their most provocative and exciting.
Any real Punk band is going to amp it up live. That's what makes "Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live In London!!!" a great set. Before an enthusiastic crowd Against Me! roar through their repertoire, including "Reinventing Axl Rose." "Americans Aboard" with the line 'hope I'm not like them, I'm not so sure" and the rousing drinking song "Pints Of Guinness Will Make You Strong" are spot on (as the Brits are fond of saying).
Fears that Against Me! Would be compromised under Sire's watch prove unwarranted - at least on "New Wave." The indie band turned major label "cog" appears no worse for signing. Gabel's throaty vocals oscillate from stirring and conspiratorial (the title track and "Thrash Unreal") to downright angry ("Piss And Vinegar")." The album is rock solid with Punked-upped power chords that slash through one contagious track after another.