After Bowie and The Hives, the album I’ve been ODing on is “The Process of Belief” by Bad Religion. BR is back and strong in their latest release. A new drummer brings new life and BR hasn’t sounded better in years.
The writing is solid as well — biting freethought and political commentary which helps me to love them all the better since their sentiment is shared.
For example:
–Materialist–
You’re obsessed and distressed ‘cuz you can’t make any sense
Of the ludicrous nonsense and incipient senescence
That will deem your common sense useless this ain’t no recess!
I want to believe in you but my plans keep falling through
I know I have to face the harshness, grin and bare the truth
And I have to walk this mile in my own shoes (and I’m no fool!)
I’m materialist a full-blown realist (physical theorist)
And I guess I’m full of doubt so I’m prone to hear it out and refuse
I’m materialist there ain’t no fear in this
It’s there for all to see so don’t talk of hidden mysteries with me
Mind over matter it really don’t matter
If the street’s idle chatter turns your heart-strings to tatters
Flatter hopes don’t flatter and soul batter won’t congeal to mend
A life that is shattered into shards was it in the cards?
The process of belief is an elixir when you’re weak
I must confess, at times I indulge it on the sneak
But generally my outlook’s not so bleak (and I’m not meek!)
I’m materialist a full-blown realist (physical theorist)
And I guess I’m full of doubt but I’ll gladly have it out with you
I’m materialist I ain’t no deist
It’s there for all to see so don’t talk of hidden mysteries with me
Like Rome under Nero, our future’s one big zero
Recycling the past to meet immediate needs
And through it all we ramble forth to persevere and climb
Our mountains of regret to sow our seeds
I’m materialist!
I love the new Bad Religion CD as well. My favorite song is “Sorrow.” I like the lyrics from Epiphany, but can’t stand the Creed-like introduction, as well as there is a small section that almost sounds like disco guitar.
I’m glad they came out with this new CD, I was wearing out the old one I had (the one with the person in the gas mask on the cover and “Digital Boy” on it). Fave song off that one is the Sometimes Truth is Stranger than Fiction tune — Curiosity killed that Kerouac cat…
Yes, I think that was the last “goodish” album, IMHO.
I love “sorrow.” If I have the time, I’d love to do a cover of it in Trad. Irish style – the lyrics, melody, and chord changes sound very Trad to me…