Album Review: Against Me! - "White Crosses"

Against Me - White Crosses

Against Me!'s fifth studio album, "White Crosses" was released on June 8th via Sire. It was produced by Butch Vig.

Back in April I interviewed Tom Gabel while he was promoting "White Crosses," Here's a comment Gabel made to me concerning the album, which dropped Tuesday.

“I’m not really interested in catering to anybody. We’re interested in making music that’s true to ourselves. People are free to listen if they want to, and if they get enjoyment out of that that’s what we hope for…but at the same time nobody is being forced to listen to anything, and they’re free to listen to whatever they want.”

I think this perfectly sum up my feelings on "White Crosses."

It's no secret that I was not a fan of "New Wave." I bashed it for being unimaginative, lackluster, and overall boring. It was completely void of what made me fall in love with Against Me! in the first place. The urgency and the fire; So raw and bare. To be honest, I felt that "New Wave" was a cop out. A sellout album, if you will.  And no, the "sellout" tag had nothing to do with Sire releasing the album. Major labels don't equal sellout. Making an album like "New Wave." does.

However, after interviewing Gabel my stance on both "New Wave" and Against Me! softened.. Before I thought that "New Wave" was selfish and self-aggrandizing; a big middle finger to Gabel's passionate fan base. But after speaking with Gabel I realized that he truly thought "New Wave" was amazing. That "New Wave" was the album he wanted to make.

So what do I think about "White Crosses?" I think about the same that I think about "New Wave." It's the album Gabel wanted to make, and he spared no compromises.

As Gabel explained to me in the interview (the corresponding story can be found here), "White Crosses" sonically builds on what the band started with "New Wave." And had "White Crosses" not said "Against Me! across the top, I'd be praising the album as a great alternative/college rock album. However, again, it's void of Against Me!'s fire. Like Scott Kazmir (another pitcher I love to hate and vise-versa) it seems as if Against Me! has lost their fastball.

I could go song by song and break down each and every song, but I think the album's first single, "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" can sum up my feelings perfectly.

"I Was a Teenage Anarchist" has a good sound to it. Think "Warning"-era Green Day meets late-era Replacements. I'll admit the first time I heard the song, a frantic text from Casey to turn my radio to KROQ, I actually liked it. It didn't sound at all like the Against Me! I loved, but it also didn't sound void of passion. "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" actually got me semi-excited for "White Crosses." At least,  until I went home and read the lyrics.

"I was a teenage anarchist
But then the scene got too rigid

It was mob mentality
They set their rifle sights on me

Narrow visions of autonomy
You want me to surrender my identity

I was a teenage anarchist

The revolution was lie"

What!?!?! Look, I get it that every anarchist grows up and realizes that anarchy doesn't work. But this is a big eff-you to everyone who has followed Against Me! over the years. Coming from a dude that once wrote "Baby, I'm an Anarchist," "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" was a kick in the crotch.

There are some strong points with "White Crosses." Ex-Hot Water Music drummer George Rebelo breathes some much needed life into Against Me! Most songs are actually listenable, unlike "New Wave," with a few ("Spanish Moss," "High Pressure Low" and "Because of the Shame") deserving multiple listens. The album is also a grower, gaining better reviews with each listen.

"White Crosses" is a step up from from "New Wave." Again, I give Gabel and co. a ton of credit for making the album they wanted to make. As Gabel said, "People are free to listen if they want to...but at the same time nobody is being forced to listen to anything, and they’re free to listen to whatever they want.”and I completely agree. Understand that I am not bashing Against Me! Unfortunately, though, I'll probably be listening to something else.
Two out of Five stars.
Check Out: "High Pressure Low," "Because of the Shame"