@Heyjude702 I completely agree with you. But this entire album is about Tom sorting out the decision of what direction to go in. Just look at the songs. "Searching for a Former Clarity" can be interpreted many ways, from being about Tom "coming out", to selling out (The disease = selling out), to being about Freddie Mercury. "Don't Lose Touch", I think that's pretty obvious. Same with "Unprotected Sex...". I think Tom knew Against Me! would be labeled as sell outs, but they didn't sell out.
They started hetting shit about "selling out" when they put albums out on Fat Wreck Chords. Laura told a stoey about right after putting their first album out with Fat how "fans" physically tried to stop one of their shows and slashed their tires. Then months had a confrontation with the person who did and one of their friends was going to use a brick as a weapon. He realized then what a joke the scene was.
I happen to love the evolution of Against Me! and Tom Gable himself. They have grown as people and as artists and you can hear and feel it in their music. Their music stands for something. I
This might be one of my favorite Against Me! songs. Put simply and broadly I see it as being about losing faith in whatever you currently find yourself doing.
My thought exactly! They only changed Label because they wanted more people to hear their music. And that's not selling out. I know you didn't say they're sellouts, that was targeted at the who did :)
That is bullshit, I have seen them back then all the way to seeing them in 2011 last. They played some small ass bar in Munich. A buddy and I drove like 3 hours to catch this show planning to buy tickets at the door, sold out. So we were kinda f'd out we saw Andrew outside and started talking to him. Through some casual conversation we brought up our problem and he was like ''no problem I got you guys''I am sure this is not unheard of but still pretty rad. They are still the same band just older
I love how people bitch about this album...It always makes it funnier when I announce that I thiink that this may be the best album ever created/produced. Don't get me wrong, it's not my favorite album ever...but it's fuckin' brilliant.
Their music is of course different now, but not very good? Please tell me you're joking. Listen to the song Black Me Out and tell me how that isn't good. Against Me! is incredible.
Obligatory can't we just enjoy the music here! Woke up with the lyrics stuck in my head, but I couldn't remember the track title. Praise the sun for google.
@outstandingwarrents Firstly, punctuation is your friend. Secondly, punctuation is your friend. Thirdly, Lots of people say "Ever since they changed labels the new stuff sucks" but care to define how it's different or sucky relative to the new stuff aside from the label change? Just out of curiosity, I like the old stuff AND the new stuff, and don't really think any period is better or worse, some songs are better, some are worse, personally.
@Proleisa5 fucking here here! jealousy is a terrible thing, it all most makes you wonder if making beautiful music such as this is even worth it as most people find some ignorant reason to dislike it
just because a band wants to change and spread their sound does not make them sell outs. they change their sound anyways, thats why its still not tom gabel on a guitar singing at open mic nights
@Mccampbellthomas The new stuff isn't "shitty", it's different in comparison to the old stuff...which fans of the raw, old Against Me! might consider shitty. I don't think it's exceptionally horrible. We'll never get out old band back, but I can't blame them for changing.
@ColourCodedQuotes Every punk band becomes sell outs, and I agree, I believe he knew it. Because like it or not, you can't be an angry thrashing teenager forever. You just can't. When you get to a certain age, songs about theoretical utoias and riots don't have the same effect, and the rest of your generation leaves you behind. Tom moved into a stage where he cares more about "the big picture" and modern day issues than he does about anarchist philosophy.
@Heyjude702 its extremely shitty, i feel i might hear it if i turned to a pop station. and yes, you can blame em for changing, they're magnanimous douchewaffles, look what happened with plan-it-x! plus yea, nonetheless you can blame em for changing, i mean lawrence arms still sounds pretty much the same, they just share the vocals more.
Bands have to change. It's the natural flow of musical progression. Considering most musicians start out young, their experiences mold and shape and change their outlooks and style. A band can evolve and not sell out, although most people can't recognize the difference. Selling out would be if they start spreading messages about communism or loving the government. Quit bitching and listen
@Mccampbellthomas to be in a band and say that you dont want to make money is complete bullshit. rent has to be paid and food must be put on the table. :)
I think there's something you're failing to comprehend about punk ethos. In theory punk music derives it's sincerity from inprofitabilty vis a vis if you have profit in mind then that will affect what you say with your music but if you disregard profitabilty what you say with your music will be more sincere. In practice food needs to be put on the table and that gets taken care of somehow or another but the core tenant of sincerity by disregarding profit is always there informing a punk musician's way of life.
