White Crosses

For the past three years, I have listened to AM's masterpiece "New Wave" at least two times per week, no easy feat considering how many CDs I buy. I never thought they'd ever be able to top it; and much like my adoration of Blur, Liz Phair and Prince, I imagined spending years of addiction trying to get back to that original high (for those bands: Parklife, Guyville and everything post The Gold Experience respectively).When AM dropped the preview EP for this album, I was knocked on my keester. I Was A Teenage Anarchist struck a nerve quite deep - I was swept back into my teenage shoes to look forward at the life that followed. The EP's B-sides were equally stellar, raw, crisp punk that had me wondering if AM would be stepping forward or backward with White Crosses?Needeless to say, nothing prepared me for "Because Of The Shame." The big, sweeping chorus and dew drop piano lines careened right past the recent Springsteen homages by The Gaslight Anthem and The Killers. This song lands in flat out Jim Steinman/Meat Loaf territory. But the lyrics, wow, never before has a male rock star brought arena-rock machismo to a line as brazen as this, "Because of the shame, associated with intimacy, I am drowning myself completely." The tale appears to be a sequel to the tragic heroine we first met in New Wave's "Thrash Unreal." It's a heartbreaking masterpiece.As Tom already proved in New Wave's "The Ocean" and "Stop!" - he is completely fearless to pursue lyrical intimacy and stadium band ambitions, and the balance of White Crosses certainly propels Against Me! forward in that direction. There's a mix of full-throttle songs that should make the gritty early AM fans happy: High Pressure Low has the daunting task of following the perfect "White People For Peace" in the political/war territory - never before would I imagine the name of former Secretary of Defense Robert Strange McNamara would make for a great rock and roll chorus. Bands that get political can often sound like buzz-killing d bags; thankfully Against Me! deftly mixes smart commentary with rock music that never forgets to rock.The production, once again by Butch Vig, is spectacular. And yes - there are two ballads on here that take some getting used to. It's like drinking a wine cooler right after three shots of Jack Daniels. If you need to hear the band's sound stripped and raw, they currently have two new intense concert recordings available on their Web site.This album cements Against Me! alongside the Dropkick Murphys, Rancid and White Stripes among the most urgent, visceral bands in loud, fearless modern rock. While I can't wait for the next album, this one gives me plenty to listen to intensely for years to come.P.S. The bonus tracks found on the Limited edition are absolutely essential to the cohesion of the album. Bitter Divisions came from the advance EP and is a tight punk song to satiate the old-school AM fans. The Dylan Dream song, oddly enough, sounds more like a long-lost classic from fellow Traveling Wilbury Tom Petty. One By One is a total classic - a high-energy romp that brings the proper album to a fitting close (the remaining three bonus tracks are the righteous encore).

Anyone even a little familiar with AM!'s older music knows that this is way different from those days. But it's no less awesome. Tom Gabel mentioned on his blog ifeelsicktomystomach [on blogspot] a few months ago that the album leaked, so I found myself a copy and gave it a listen. At first I wasn't overly impressed and doubted if I would even buy a copy. I loved all their previous albums, including New Wave. But hearing 'I Was A Teenage Anarchist' on Sirius at work, it was too polished sounding and pop-ish. Then Tom posted the video for it on his blog and reprinted an article he wrote for antimusic[dotcom] on how he got into the anarchist movement in the first place. Just seeing the video made me like the song a little more, but reading the article really got me to appreciate it. So when White Crosses came out and I saw that Amazon had a limited edition with four extra songs on it for the same price, I decided to buy it after all. By the third listen I was completely hooked. I absolutely love it, and I haven't even heard the bonus tracks because my cd player's busted (still listening to the leaked copy on my computer). I'm not saying it's better or worse than anything else they've done. It's just a continuation and progression. All their stuff is great in different ways. So is this. But seeing as how the reviews (everywhere, not just on Amazon) tend to be all over the map, my suggestion is to get your hands on a copy and listen for yourself. Read some of Tom's blog, watch the video, and most of all, give the album a chance. By the 3rd or 4th listen you just might find yourself listening to it nonstop too.

Pay little mind to the bitter Florida punk kids - White Crosses is a career high mark for Against Me. The album is fast-paced and very accessible, with fibers of pop lining the band's still-punk ethos. Tom Gabel's songwriting has matured and he's developed a keen ear for memorable hooks - songs like "High Pressure Low" and "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" are made to get stuck in your head and "Spanish Moss" would fit in nicely on a Cheap Trick album. The band still remains unafraid of tackling sensitive subject matter within their songs, from abortion ("White Crosses") to personal loss ("Because of the Shame") to consumerism ("Suffocation"). Like Green Day, The Offspring and AFI, Against Me! have evolved from their roots into a textured, diverse and widely relevant rock act. Some possessive fans would prefer Against Me! had never left the small punk venues of coastal Florida and have allowed their bias to prevent them from enjoying one of the best albums of 2010.

I was exposed to Against Me's music when I heard "I was a Teenage Anarchist" in the movie "The other F Word". It was love at fist listen. I like songs with good melody and structure and TA grabbed me from the first hearing. It is a great song to sing along with in the car, a true anthem. The other songs on the album have grown on me over time. I like almost every song on White Crosses now. This is the work of a mature artist. I recall similar cries of sellout when the Clash released the eclectic "London Calling" album.

Against Me's White Crosses (IMHO) is their best album yet. Tom Gabel has come up with some strong songs here. What i can't understand why there is so much backlash against this band? I know it isn't 2002 anymore why can't you grow with this band. Key Cuts include: White Crosses, I Was A Teenage Anarchist (check out the video i find it very interesting), the Springsteen-ish "The Shame", Suffacation, High Pressure Low, the ballad Ache With Me, the woo chorus of Spanish Moss, Rapid Decompression 1:46 of punk rock for the old fans i guess, Bamboo Bones, Dylan's Dream and Leigh Acres. If you like good rock music this is a real winner! This is a top 5 (so far) of 2010.

This is my most played album of the last decade. It may not be the favourite of all Against Me! fans, who were there at the beginning of their career, especially those who prefer a little less Rock and a little more hardcore Punk. However for those who like to listen to bands like Gaslight Anthem, 80's Springsteen, Bouncing Souls, Hot Water Music or Alkaline Trio, this could be just what you are looking for.This is one of the few albums that my whole family seem to like and sing along with songs such as the Springsteen like "Because Of the Shame" which could have been lifted off the Born in the USA album, the Gritty " I was a teenage anarchist" or the 'Smash 'em all' of "White Crosses". I really enjoy every track on here and the bonus track "One by One", is another favourite.

on the punk spectrum This album is more Gaslight Anthem than Gallows, no bad thing, I love the Gaslight Anthem as much as Gallows. I love Laura's (or was she still Tom at this point? it doesn't matter, and as an aside that's whats so brilliant about this scene, Singer in band changes name and gender associations and nobody thinks its a big deal) voice and I love these songs, they are perfectly formed examples of what is so great about American music. us Brits can do metalcore and hardcore better than anyone, but Against me do this better than anyone. This album is uplifting, nostalgic and melancholy, sometimes simultaneously. it grew on me with every listen.

Amazing album, track after track

Amazing album, definitely a must have for an Against Me! fan.

Mir gefallen Against Me! ja schon lange.Dass "White Crosses" etwas aus der Art schlägt, finde ich nicht schlimm!Die Stimme ist gut und der Sound passt. Alles softer als sonst.Aber, wie gesagt, mir gefällt's. Wer Against Me! mag, sollte sich diesesAlbum vorm Kauf erst mal anhören. Denn die Meinungen gehen bei diesem Albumja eher auseinander.