Against Me!: New Wave

Against Me!
New Wave
Warner Bros Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Major label debut = Same killer Against Me! anthems!

Album Review:
Everyone always cringes when their favorite band signs to a major label. The same questions and concerns always come up about completely selling out or changing their sound to be more “radio friendly”. Now tell a bands favorite fan that they went out and got a super duper producer and see their tears of fright roll down their face! Guided By Voices had Ric Ocasek and Girls Against Boys had Nick Launay (INXS, Midnight Oil) which were perfect examples of bands & producers that faltered when it came to the bigger budget so now we present Against Me!. Well, Against Me! launch their major label debut New Wave with producer Butch Vig (Nirvana, Garbage) with a newer polished sound but totally full of a punk punch. From the opening self titled track, Tom Gabel’s voice is as powerful and commanding as albums past. The band just hums along behind him with a tightness that should be expected and helps makes New Wave complete. There are some new ventures and directions on New Wave such as the duet “Borne On The FM” with Tegan Quin (Tegan And Sara) and a contemplative closing track “The Ocean” but both fall right in alignment with the other harder tracks. For fans that were scared about a new direction don’t worry, this is still the same Against Me! and if anything the major label will do what it is supposed to – launch Against Me! to a bigger audience, which is well deserved.

Key Tracks: "Up The Cuts", "Stop!", "White People For Peace"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Jawbox
Dillinger Four
Hot Water Music

Official Against Me! Website
Against Me! MySpace
Against Me! Info [Allmusic]
Warner Bros Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta