2007 has been a great year with new releases from a lot of amazing bands and Florida’s Against Me! is helping continue the trend. Their latest release New Wave in fact may be one of the best CDs I have listened to this year. With more of a rock style and less folk, I admit I was unsure of the music they had created but was soon thirsty for more. Political yet ever so catchy, the band has found themselves considered a mainstream act. Perhaps attention was not what the band was looking for, but New Wave attracts it so well.
Formed ten years ago in Gainsville, Florida by singer Tom Gable, Against Me! was originally a one man show. The music he created was an acoustic punk/folk sound that no one seemed to get into. In time, Gable would team up with James Bowman on guitar, Andrew Seward on bass, and Warren Oakes on drums.
This line up soon created some memorable albums such as Reinventing Axel Rose and Searching For A Former Clarity. A lot of songs they dished out are almost sing-a-longs for the die hard fans, with wise lyrics focusing on the political misery Against Me! witnessed. The mixture of folk, punk, and acoustic music provided this very unique band with an awesome and very devoted fan base.
If you have ever been to an Against Me! show you can agree with me that their energy is almost overwhelming. When you see the band live you should be prepared to recite every single lyric at the top of your lungs, while flailing around without a care. The band plays an amazing live show with smiles on their faces, especially Warren Oakes.
Fans of the previous Against Me! releases may not find this CD too appealing for a couple of reasons, as the focus on the folk/punk-rock has dwindled. This album is more rock driven with almost every song listener friendly, and no acoustic songs at all. The other reason is because some diehard fans feel that Against Me! sold out, as they signed with major label Sire Records. At just over thirty minutes, this ten track CD is full of excellent material with sing-a-long qualities. No fan should feel betrayed because the band decided to move on. I myself see it is a wise choice. So what? They sold out, but only to better themselves.
Article comments