Bad Religion - The Empire Strikes First

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Media Type: CD
Artist: BAD RELIGION
Title: EMPIRE STRIKES FIRST
Street Release Date: 06/08/2004
Domestic
Genre: PUNK Product Description

Best Bad Religion CD

And I will admit that I am biased because this is the first CD by this band that I bought. I don't remember what song stuck out that made me buy this CD about a year ago or why I chose to get into this band, I think it was 'cause they were playing 2007's warped tour. Now, I didn't get to see them at Warped Tour because it rained out horrible, but I did still get into them in the process.

Considering most of their better CDs came from the late 80's and early 90's, this CD is somewhat out of place in 2004 because it's SO AMAZING! This is a different kind of excellence than the older CDs, because it's cleaner and more produced, but it is definitely the greatest thing they've ever put out and this came just in time considering how hard it is to find inspiring music anymore.

All the guitars on this CD, mainly Brett, shred. This dude pulls solos out of his pocket like it's no big deal, there are so many of them that sometimes they're hard to remember and then you're surprised all over again when you hear them, even if you've listened to the song multiple times before. Graffin's voice is the best in punk today. Period. There is really no comparison, and with 25+ years of experience it's no surprise. Jay's bass is underutilized like on all the other CDs (I have 'em all now) but hey... I guess you can't have it all. The harmonies from the backup vocals add a touch of something new to a sometimes generic genre of music, even if it sounds weird when you hear it live. The lyrics are deep and inspiring, but not preachy, since that would kind of contradict the idea that preaching is not right. Lastly, the guitar opener to "Let Them Eat War" will leave you stunner, not for its complexity, but just 'cause it's SO CATCHY!

Highlight tracks: "Sinister Rouge" "Social Suicide" "Los Angelos is Burning" "Let Them Eat War" May 19, 2008

Keeping True Punk Alive

The first time i heard this album, I was very skeptical about what i was gonna expect from hearing that first track, only to be swept away on how it lead to the next song, "Sinister Rouge", I knew that from this point there wasn't going to be a song that would dissapoint me or make me ask myself what the hell is this. Bad Religion knows exactly what punkers want and thats to keep making music that we all remember from back in the Suffer, Generator days. I give this one 5 stars May 10, 2007

Would you give it all up to live again?

Expectations were very high after The Process of Belief. The band had been in a bit of musical doldrums in the late 90's, and had shaken that off with a fast, melodic comeback record that is every bit as good as the reviews will have you believe.

The Empire Strikes First plays like an album by a band that is starting to settle into a new era. The songs are catchy yet abbrasive, the playing is tight and professional, and the vocals are as good as any other punk album you care to mention.

Some people may be a bit put off by things like rapper Sage Francis being highlighted in one song, or the Heartbreaker's Mike Campbell taking a solo in "Los Angeles is Burning," but with preconceptions aside, Empire achieves everything it intends to. Imagine how many people were playing "Let Them Eat War" when they pulled up to the polls to vote in 2004. A sense of hope, a message of unity, and an attitude of discontent go a long way to raising spirits.

It's time to turn the tides indeed. March 17, 2007

Another Great Album By Bad Religion...

This album continues the career resurgence for this band which began with The Process of Belief. Many had left them for dead after two straight disappointing releases in the late 90's (no substance, new america). However, BR came back with a vengeance with The Process of Belief. This album proves that Bad Religion has A LOT left in the tank. It has all of the fast paced, politically motivated anger that you'd expect from a Bad Religion. It also includes a few interesting changes of pace with songs like "Boot Stamping..." and "Beyond Electric Dreams". This is truly a welcome addition to the Bad Religion catalog and I'd reccomend it to anyone who loves good old fashioned punk rock! February 23, 2007

They still got it

I'm no longer as ignorant about public policy and processes and the government as I was when I started listening to the likes of "Suffer" and "Against the Grain". Now I don't protest things or show support by voicing my opinions for all to hear or through public action like a pretentious prick, but now I do it by voting and posting crappy reviews. And I don't totally agree with Bad Religion like I used to, but, I gotta hand it to them, they definitely churned out another great album and I love the songs. "Beyond Electric Dreams", "Los Angeles is Burning", "Sinister Rouge", "God's Love" are all great. I say, you don't have to support the band view on the current issues and whatnot, but show the love for the band and their musical talent. February 19, 2007

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