On Bad Religion's 15th album in 30 years, the stage opens with a sentimental but roused Greg Graffin reminiscing, “Do you remember when we were young?/Adventure had no end/Those were the days, my friend,” to recall the melodic blast of their early years. Producer Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Tool) seeks range with some midtempo pop/rockers like “The Devil in Stitches,” "Won't Somebody," and “Cyanide,” the latter with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell on slide guitar. Elsewhere, "Only Rain" takes it back to their roots and features some of Bad Religion’s most provocative anti-Christian commentary -- which is saying a lot for a band with a crossed-out cross for a family crest. ~ Jason Lymangrover
Rovi
エピタフの大将がレーベル30周年にみずから華を添えるべく、15枚目の新作を投下した。激烈なのに泣けるギター・フレーズの嵐、哀愁漂うコーラス、男気満載のヴォーカル、それらを好き勝手に走らせながら奇跡の化学反応を引き起こしていく手法は従来通り。そのブレない姿勢こそストリート・パンクのあるべき姿であり、リアルである。長年に渡ってシーンの真ん中でキッズを刺激し続けられる理由がわかる一枚。正座して聴け!
bounce (C)渡辺貴仁
タワーレコード(vol.325(2010年9月25日発行号)掲載)