Vinyl Reviews Week 9: We'll Soon Be Done

Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombation in 12 Bursts (Epitaph Records, 1998)

Groundbreaking is the most accurate way to describe this LP. The final album by Swedish hardcore outfit Refused, The Shape of Punk to Come is idealistically profound in how precisely titular it sounds. The odd, unnatural change from straight-edge Victory Record hardcore everyband to politically charged powerhouse is the first thing any fan of the band will notice on the first listen. They possess a deeper, more dramatic sound and an energetic prowess that will get even the most obtuse neasayer caught up in the excitement. The music video that accompanies this album's lead single, the electro-breakdown hardcore hit "New Noise," is as groundbreaking as the album. The band are concealed by animal masks as they run down an industrial corridor towards their instruments. Then it turns into a performance video where they break everything with themselves and with their music. The last track, "The Apollo Programme Was A Hoax," has tinges of classical influence, and shows a lighter side to the band. It is grandiose in both melody and simplicity, and features orchestral instrumentation. It's lightness symbolizes the demise of the band later that year, a few days into an ill-fated U.S. tour. A basement show in Virginia was shut down by police, and the band decided to quit shortly after. My copy of the LP is the 2010 reissue on two black records. It came coupled with a DVD about the band's career and eventual destruction, which was a great addition for the cost.

Rating: 10


Rise Against - Rise Against 7" (Fat Wreck Chords, 2009)

While most of Rise Against's output since 2004's Siren Song of the Counter Culture has been disappointing at best, this 7" of b-sides from 2008's Appeal to Reason is a surprising return to form. It sounds like a fast punk 7" that recalls their work in the early 2000's while still containing their political bite. This is also notable for being their first release on an independent label in a good long time. The first track of the two is the best. "Grammatizator" is a quick paced, thick punk song that works well in the context of the group's back catalog. The second song, "Voice of Dissent," is less fun but is still a good song. Both are super short. This 7" was limited to either 4008 copies or 5000 copies, depending on what source you check. It's black vinyl, as is typical of Fat Wreck releases.

Rating: Light 6

Say Anything - Say Anything (RCA Records, 2009)

Say Anything have reached the pinnacle of quirky indie rock for the chemically-addicted soul. They're accessible but also marvelously unique. This is also the medium ground between their 2007 double album In Defense of the Genre and this year's Anarchy, My Dear, both chronologically and musically. It combines the best of both. Emo albums from a happy period in an artist's life are normally underwhelming, but singer Max Bemis translates his happiness into pure emotional energy instead of just writing happy songs. There is a love song about, get this, a successful marriage (Bemis married Eisley singer Sherri DuPree around this time).  While it isn't their seminal ...Is A Real Boy, it's a brilliant record with Say Anything's diverse sonic palette completely intact.

Rating: Strong 8

Social Distortion - Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (Epitaph Records, 2011)

As far as Social Distortion goes, I'm fairly uneducated. I know they're a punk rock band influenced by the country-western music of yore, and other than hearing a few singles, that's about it. This buy was spontaneous at Record Store Day 2012 when I couldn't find the Taking Back Sunday EP or Sigur Ros's latest full length. I'm glad I got this though. The records are a beautiful lime green limited to 2000 copies. I also got two posters, and one of them is signed by the band, which is limited to an even more exclusive 1000 copies. The songs are good, but they don't really live up to Social Distortion's older work. It's still a solid punk rock LP though.

Rating: Strong 5