I promised someone a Bad Religion mix and here it is:
Introduction:
I've been a huge BR fan since I first heard em in the early/mid 90's. Together with Screeching Weasel they share the #2 spot of my favorite band list. I like most of their stuff, new and old, so that's why I feel competent to make a mix.
But it is impossible to make a one tape/CD collection, you would just have to leave out too many important songs. Please keep in mind that BR have released 13 albums so far, not including live recordings. That's why I chose to create a 2x~60 minutes mix based on the bands history, divided into 4 chapters. I've included songs from every album except Into the unknown, although I'd liked to exclude A new America and No substance as well, because those albums suck and took precious time. Please keep in mind that I put 5 albums on the first disc and 8 on the second, so there are fewer songs from the later albums included than from the earlier. But we're talking about an essential collection aren't we? Plus: The later songs are longer on the average. I've added a bunch of live songs and a special surprise song at the end! The chapters are in chronological order, but the songs within the chapters are not.
Chapter one: the early years (80-85)
The old classical age of Bad Religion with their first EP (81), the legendary How could Hell be any worse album (82) and the reunion Back to the known EP (84). I didn't include any stuff from Into the unknown, because I don't consider it a real Bad Religion record. Even though it was released under the name Bad Religion it was more like a side project when somebody gave Graffin a synthesizer and he started writing folk songs. I don't think it's a bad record, but I do think it is not a real part of the bands essential discography.
Chapter two: the canonical years (88-91)
Those were the days! With Suffer (88), No control (89) and Against the grain (90) Bad Religion gave the best available definition of fast melodic punkrock that influenced millions of others. Smart lyrics, fast songs, oohzin-ahhs, terrific solos..what more do you want? Those albums are among the best 3 records in a row ever released.
Chapter three: No direction (92-97)
Bad Religion change their sound. It becomes slower, darker, more diverse. There are a bunch of line-up changes (Brett leaves the band and is replaced by Brian Baker, Pete Finestone quits and Bobby Schayer becomes the new drummer). Also the band leaves Epitaph to try it on a major label during the mid-90's punk explosion. My personal opinion says that this period is a hit or miss time. There are some great songs and instant classics but also disappointing albums. Generator (92), Recipe for hate (93),Stranger than fiction (94) and The grey Race (96) lack the consistency of the canonical days.
Chapter four: Later days and better days (98-today)
During the late 90's the band is on the decline. Seriously their 98 album is called "No substance" and the name says it all. A new America in 2000 is even worse! Around that time I really hoped the band stops to release crappy album and retires. 2001 Bad Religion leaves Atlantic and goes back to Epitaph. Brett re-joins the band, he even plays on a tour (together with Hetson and Baker). A new album comes out in 2002 and A process of believe is a really great record. It starts not with one, not with two but with three fast, aggressive songs in a row, that could easily have been on no control and the rest of the album is really good as well. It's Easter time, so talk about rebirth of a great band here! The 2004 album The Empire strikes first follows it. 2007 will see a new album afaik. If it's anything as good as the last two Ill like it.
Tracklisting
CD 1
Chapter one
01 We're Only Gonna Die (from How could hell 82)
02 Latch Key Kids (from How could hell 82)
03 Politics (from the first EP 81)
04 Along The Way (from Back to known 84, this version live Amsterdam 92)
05 Fuck Armageddon... This Is Hell (from How could hell 82)
06 Voice Of God Is Government (from How could hell 82)
07 Yesterday (from Back to known 84, this version live Vienna 91)
08 Part III (from How could hell 82, this version live from Tested)
Chapter two
09 Do What You Want (from Suffer 88)
10 Big Bang (from No Control 89)
11 Operation Rescue (from Against the grain 90)
12 Suffer (from Suffer 88)
13 Part II (The Numbers Game) (from Suffer 88)
14 Flat Earth Society (from Against the grain 90)
15 Give You Nothing (from Suffer 88)
16 Sanity (from No Control 89)
17 21st Century (Digital Boy) (2:48)
18 No Control (from No Control 89, this version live Amsterdam 92)
19 You Are (The Government) (from Suffer 88)
20 Unacceptable (from Against the grain 90)
21 Anesthesia (from Against the grain 90)
22 The World Won't Stop (from No Control 89)
23 What Can You Do? (from Suffer 88)
24 I Want To Conquer The World (from No Control 89)
25 You (from No Control 89)
26 The Positive Aspect Of Negative Thinking (0:57)
27 Change Of Ideas (from No Control 89)
28 Pessimistic Lines (from Suffer 88)
29 Against The Grain (from Against the grain 90)
30 Walk Away (from Against the grain 90)
Disc 2
Chapter three
01 Recipe For Hate (from Recipe for hate 93)
02 Stranger Than Fiction (from Stranger than fiction 94)
03 The Answer (from Generator 92, this version live Amsterdam 92)
04 Come Join Us (from the Grey Race 96)
05 Infected (from Stranger than fiction 94, this version live from Infected EP)
06 American Jesus (from Recipe for hate 93)
07 Pity the Dead (from the Grey Race 96, this version live from Tested)
08 Atomic Garden (from Generator 92)
09 Punk Rock Song (from the Grey Race 96)
10 Generator (from Generator 92, this version live from Tested - with slow intro!!)
11 Inner Logic (from Stranger than fiction 94)
12 Struck a nerve (from Recipe for hate 93, this version live from Tested)
Chapter four
13 The Biggest Killer In American History (from No substance 98)
14 Strange Denial (from No substance 98)
15 A world without a melody (from a New America 2000)
16 I love my computer (from a New America 2000)
17 Prove It (from Process of believe 2002)
18 Can't Stop It (from Process of believe 2002)
19 Let Them Eat War (from the Empire strikes first 2004)
20 Social Suicide (from the Empire strikes first 2004)
21 The Defense (from Process of believe 2002)
22 Special Surprise Song! (I'm not giving that away!)
Introduction:
I've been a huge BR fan since I first heard em in the early/mid 90's. Together with Screeching Weasel they share the #2 spot of my favorite band list. I like most of their stuff, new and old, so that's why I feel competent to make a mix.
But it is impossible to make a one tape/CD collection, you would just have to leave out too many important songs. Please keep in mind that BR have released 13 albums so far, not including live recordings. That's why I chose to create a 2x~60 minutes mix based on the bands history, divided into 4 chapters. I've included songs from every album except Into the unknown, although I'd liked to exclude A new America and No substance as well, because those albums suck and took precious time. Please keep in mind that I put 5 albums on the first disc and 8 on the second, so there are fewer songs from the later albums included than from the earlier. But we're talking about an essential collection aren't we? Plus: The later songs are longer on the average. I've added a bunch of live songs and a special surprise song at the end! The chapters are in chronological order, but the songs within the chapters are not.
Chapter one: the early years (80-85)
The old classical age of Bad Religion with their first EP (81), the legendary How could Hell be any worse album (82) and the reunion Back to the known EP (84). I didn't include any stuff from Into the unknown, because I don't consider it a real Bad Religion record. Even though it was released under the name Bad Religion it was more like a side project when somebody gave Graffin a synthesizer and he started writing folk songs. I don't think it's a bad record, but I do think it is not a real part of the bands essential discography.
Chapter two: the canonical years (88-91)
Those were the days! With Suffer (88), No control (89) and Against the grain (90) Bad Religion gave the best available definition of fast melodic punkrock that influenced millions of others. Smart lyrics, fast songs, oohzin-ahhs, terrific solos..what more do you want? Those albums are among the best 3 records in a row ever released.
Chapter three: No direction (92-97)
Bad Religion change their sound. It becomes slower, darker, more diverse. There are a bunch of line-up changes (Brett leaves the band and is replaced by Brian Baker, Pete Finestone quits and Bobby Schayer becomes the new drummer). Also the band leaves Epitaph to try it on a major label during the mid-90's punk explosion. My personal opinion says that this period is a hit or miss time. There are some great songs and instant classics but also disappointing albums. Generator (92), Recipe for hate (93),Stranger than fiction (94) and The grey Race (96) lack the consistency of the canonical days.
Chapter four: Later days and better days (98-today)
During the late 90's the band is on the decline. Seriously their 98 album is called "No substance" and the name says it all. A new America in 2000 is even worse! Around that time I really hoped the band stops to release crappy album and retires. 2001 Bad Religion leaves Atlantic and goes back to Epitaph. Brett re-joins the band, he even plays on a tour (together with Hetson and Baker). A new album comes out in 2002 and A process of believe is a really great record. It starts not with one, not with two but with three fast, aggressive songs in a row, that could easily have been on no control and the rest of the album is really good as well. It's Easter time, so talk about rebirth of a great band here! The 2004 album The Empire strikes first follows it. 2007 will see a new album afaik. If it's anything as good as the last two Ill like it.
Tracklisting
CD 1
Chapter one
01 We're Only Gonna Die (from How could hell 82)
02 Latch Key Kids (from How could hell 82)
03 Politics (from the first EP 81)
04 Along The Way (from Back to known 84, this version live Amsterdam 92)
05 Fuck Armageddon... This Is Hell (from How could hell 82)
06 Voice Of God Is Government (from How could hell 82)
07 Yesterday (from Back to known 84, this version live Vienna 91)
08 Part III (from How could hell 82, this version live from Tested)
Chapter two
09 Do What You Want (from Suffer 88)
10 Big Bang (from No Control 89)
11 Operation Rescue (from Against the grain 90)
12 Suffer (from Suffer 88)
13 Part II (The Numbers Game) (from Suffer 88)
14 Flat Earth Society (from Against the grain 90)
15 Give You Nothing (from Suffer 88)
16 Sanity (from No Control 89)
17 21st Century (Digital Boy) (2:48)
18 No Control (from No Control 89, this version live Amsterdam 92)
19 You Are (The Government) (from Suffer 88)
20 Unacceptable (from Against the grain 90)
21 Anesthesia (from Against the grain 90)
22 The World Won't Stop (from No Control 89)
23 What Can You Do? (from Suffer 88)
24 I Want To Conquer The World (from No Control 89)
25 You (from No Control 89)
26 The Positive Aspect Of Negative Thinking (0:57)
27 Change Of Ideas (from No Control 89)
28 Pessimistic Lines (from Suffer 88)
29 Against The Grain (from Against the grain 90)
30 Walk Away (from Against the grain 90)
Disc 2
Chapter three
01 Recipe For Hate (from Recipe for hate 93)
02 Stranger Than Fiction (from Stranger than fiction 94)
03 The Answer (from Generator 92, this version live Amsterdam 92)
04 Come Join Us (from the Grey Race 96)
05 Infected (from Stranger than fiction 94, this version live from Infected EP)
06 American Jesus (from Recipe for hate 93)
07 Pity the Dead (from the Grey Race 96, this version live from Tested)
08 Atomic Garden (from Generator 92)
09 Punk Rock Song (from the Grey Race 96)
10 Generator (from Generator 92, this version live from Tested - with slow intro!!)
11 Inner Logic (from Stranger than fiction 94)
12 Struck a nerve (from Recipe for hate 93, this version live from Tested)
Chapter four
13 The Biggest Killer In American History (from No substance 98)
14 Strange Denial (from No substance 98)
15 A world without a melody (from a New America 2000)
16 I love my computer (from a New America 2000)
17 Prove It (from Process of believe 2002)
18 Can't Stop It (from Process of believe 2002)
19 Let Them Eat War (from the Empire strikes first 2004)
20 Social Suicide (from the Empire strikes first 2004)
21 The Defense (from Process of believe 2002)
22 Special Surprise Song! (I'm not giving that away!)
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
frolleinsuzy:
Deine Aktivitten sind ja genauso aufregend wie meine. Ich hab gestern den ganzen Tag an so einem OpenSource-Blog/Bildergalerieding gebastelt.
str666:
Bad Religion habe ich Anfang der 90ziger total intensiv gehrt, ein paar Konzerte gesehen...und dann irgendwie aus den Augen verloren.