[.ca] No Substance

From Amazon.com:
Punk ain't dumb. Not with a creative lineage that includes everything from the Clash to Nirvana. Bad Religion has been part of that history since 1980. Whatever they lack in instrumental virtuosity is made up for here in singer Greg Graffin's urgent two-minute manifestos on society and world politics. As on other Bad Religion releases in the '90s, No Substance preaches militant social consciousness to the punk masses, imploring the youth to "raise your voice!" There was more variety in Bad Religion's sound when guitarist Brett Gurewitz was still in the band, but the band has taken their relatively simple musical formula to a sophisticated level here, crafting tight, intelligent nuggets of punk. --Steve Appleford

wonderful:
i agree with the statement that BR fans are getting worse. BR are, to me, one of the greatest BANDS ever (punk or not) with some of the most provoctive lyrics and some awesome music. they have probably the tightest and best rhythm section ever and if only for the VORACIOUS MARCH OF GODLINESS, this album is killer. VMOG has one of thee most infectious and meloidous chorus (is it choruses?) i ever heard. i can not sit still for that. HEAR IT is straight ahead punk and brilliant at that, while SHADES OF TRUTH is another infectious incendary song that is classic BR. I think all this talk of melody and harmonies (like on RAISE YOUR VOICE) scare purists punks. do not be so closed minded. evolve with the band. this is a great band and great album. The band is coming into its own and sounding great. Bad Religion deliver tight, sophisticated, extremely intelligent (grab your dictionary and tell me what VORACIOUS means) consciencess, intense, fast and furious songs that comment on lots of issues about society. there are harmonies and great melodies and it all remains punk. some may disagree but rememeber when punk exploded out of CBGB'S in NY way back when it was the RAMONES along with BLONDIE & the TALKING HEADS. i would never call the HEADS or BLONDIE punk untili learned that whips and chains and a mohawk do not make you punk. its your state of mind and to all the purists out there i say, its time to open your mind and embrace BR for they are one of thee greatest bands ever.

one of the best rock records:
ok.. this album isnt really punk rock which it seems a lot of BR fans are used to and would like to only hear from this band. anyhow, this album i think is absolutly incredible. yea its a lot more rock-n-roll but its some of the best i have ever heard. it is so catchy and the lyrics are some of their best. the vocal harmonies have evolved so much with this album. "in so many ways" has got to be one of the best songs ever written. i know i used the word best a lot in this review. but i dont know what other word to use. just get this. its one of those perfect albums.

Subpar:
This is honestly the only Bad Religion album that isn't in my normal rotation for listening. Now, for me it's not that the band has slowed down their songs that makes this album less than a treat, but it's the lack of those ultra-catchy choruses and solo guitar riffs we've come to expect from Bad Religion. The entire album is absent from any catchy, emotive, and memorable lines. It kind of just trudges along, like they were going through the motions. There are a few decent songs (Hear it, Shades of Truth, Greatest Killer...), but nothing even resembling spectacular like on their other albums. I only recommend No Substance if you must have everything Bad Religion.

GREAT CD AT A GREAT PRICE:
I have been a bad religion fan for quite some time now, and this cd really rocks the socks. I bought it for only 10.99, and I have listened to it all the time. It's constantly in my cd player, because it just rocks. I will review every song on the cd. 1. Hear It (10/10) Great way to start the album, fast paced and catchy. 2. Shades of Truth (10/10) The strongest effort of the album, the lyrics are second to none and the song is one of the most radio friendly BR songs I have ever heard. 3. All Fantastic Images (10/10) A song about England, it's the second best on the album after "Shades of Truth". 4. Biggest Killer in American History (10/10) A song about the man behind the nuclear bomb, Edward Teller. 5. No Substance (10/10) The title track is another great one, but the song list after this tends to get weaker. 6. Raise Your Voice (6/10) A song that could be played at a boy scouts camp... AWESOME TUNE!!! 7. Sowing the Seeds of Utopia (7/10) 8. Hippy Killers (9/10) 9. State of the End of the Millennium Address (8/10) A newer version of "Neighbors" off of HOW COULD HELL BE ANY WORSE?, it's good but not original.. 10. Voracious March of Godliness (10/10) 11. Mediocre Minds (9/10) 12. Victims of the Revolution (10/10) 13. Strange Denial (10/10) 14. At the Mercy of Imbeciles (7/10) 15. Same Person (10/10) 16. In So Many Ways (9/10)

Anyone who dislikes this album is not a Bad Religion fan.:
I feel that this is Bad Religion's most mature album. They are taking on their own identity in the absence of long standing guitarist and song writer Brett Gurewitz. Alot of people do not like this album, I can't understand why, unless you are stuck in 1988. This album unlike it's predecessor THE GRAY RACE isn't just choppy thrown together songs, it is a completely inspired, intelligent piece of art. I feel that it goes up their with GENERATOR and STRANGER THAN FICTION. 1. Hear It (10/10) Great way to start the album, fast paced and catchy. 2. Shades of Truth (10/10) The strongest effort of the album, the lyrics are second to none and the song is one of the most radio friendly BR songs I have ever heard. 3. All Fantastic Images (10/10) A song about England, it's the second best on the album after "Shades of Truth". 4. Biggest Killer in American History (10/10) A song about the man behind the nuclear bomb, Edward Teller. 5. No Substance (10/10) The title track is another great one, but the song list after this tends to get weaker. 6. Raise Your Voice (6/10) The weakest track on the album, I can't listen to it too much. 7. Sowing the Seeds of Utopia (7/10) 8. Hippy Killers (9/10) 9. State of the End of the Millennium Address (8/10) A newer version of "Neighbors" off of HOW COULD HELL BE ANY WORSE?, it's good but not original.. 10. Voracious March of Godliness (10/10) 11. Mediocre Minds (9/10) 12. Victims of the Revolution (10/10) 13. Strange Denial (10/10) 14. At the Mercy of Imbeciles (7/10) 15. Same Person (10/10) 16. In So Many Ways (9/10)

• Hear It
• Shades of Truth
• All Fantastic Images
• Biggest Killer in American History
• No Substance
• Raise Your Voice!
• Sowing the Seeds of Utopia
• Hippy Killers
• State of the End of the Millennium Address
• Voracious March of Godliness
• Mediocre Minds
• Victims of the Revolution
• Strange Denial
• At the Mercy of Imbeciles
• Same Person
• In So Many Ways