Album Review :: Bad Religion: New Maps Of Hell
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Bad Religion: New Maps Of Hell
(Epitaph 2007)
If you've heard even a chunk of the nearly 200 songs that Bad Religion have released in their 25-year, 14-album career, you know their dilemma. It's how to avoid stale rehashing when producing new permutations of the various awesome elements of their trademark sound, such as massive hooks, the acute sense of melody, and the incredible three-part vocal harmonies.
New Maps Of Hell never quite resolves the dilemma. Its first third looks back to the hardcore anthems on Bad Religion's classic 1988-90 releases, achieving the same hard and fast conviction but less inventive, more forgettable songwriting. It doesn't help the more inspired songs in this vein, such as "New Dark Ages" and "Lost Pilgrim", that the vocals don't cut through the guitar-heavy mix. Those harmonies would give you the chills if they were loud. There are some surprises among the rest, and not merely because "Grains Of Wrath" and "Scrutiny" reach up to the band's original snarl and spirit. Some of these surprises are less pleasant: "Honest Goodbye" tries too hard to sound like radio-friendly AOR and "Fields of Mars" has a totally gimmicky piano intro. But on the more pleasant side "Prodigal Son" hints, especially in its chorus and harmonies, towards the up-tempo Elvis Costello & The Attractions in their early period.
New Maps Of Hell is a mediocre release from a band that even in its mediocre moments is tighter, more likable, and simply better than most other punk acts. It is better than Bad Religion's late-90s output, but not as solid as their two preceding albums The Process Of Belief and The Empire Strikes Back. It's tough and hooky enough to please the fans, especially those who like guarded hope and appeals to reason in the lyrics. It carries some promise that Bad Religion might some day catch their fans off guard again. But it will make them fear that Bad Religion won't ever again reach the heights of their previous efforts. Now excuse me while I go and get killed by Suffer, No Control, and Against The Grain, for a thousandth time.
(Epitaph 2007)
If you've heard even a chunk of the nearly 200 songs that Bad Religion have released in their 25-year, 14-album career, you know their dilemma. It's how to avoid stale rehashing when producing new permutations of the various awesome elements of their trademark sound, such as massive hooks, the acute sense of melody, and the incredible three-part vocal harmonies.New Maps Of Hell never quite resolves the dilemma. Its first third looks back to the hardcore anthems on Bad Religion's classic 1988-90 releases, achieving the same hard and fast conviction but less inventive, more forgettable songwriting. It doesn't help the more inspired songs in this vein, such as "New Dark Ages" and "Lost Pilgrim", that the vocals don't cut through the guitar-heavy mix. Those harmonies would give you the chills if they were loud. There are some surprises among the rest, and not merely because "Grains Of Wrath" and "Scrutiny" reach up to the band's original snarl and spirit. Some of these surprises are less pleasant: "Honest Goodbye" tries too hard to sound like radio-friendly AOR and "Fields of Mars" has a totally gimmicky piano intro. But on the more pleasant side "Prodigal Son" hints, especially in its chorus and harmonies, towards the up-tempo Elvis Costello & The Attractions in their early period.
New Maps Of Hell is a mediocre release from a band that even in its mediocre moments is tighter, more likable, and simply better than most other punk acts. It is better than Bad Religion's late-90s output, but not as solid as their two preceding albums The Process Of Belief and The Empire Strikes Back. It's tough and hooky enough to please the fans, especially those who like guarded hope and appeals to reason in the lyrics. It carries some promise that Bad Religion might some day catch their fans off guard again. But it will make them fear that Bad Religion won't ever again reach the heights of their previous efforts. Now excuse me while I go and get killed by Suffer, No Control, and Against The Grain, for a thousandth time.
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