Album Review: Bad Religion - True North

It's still hard to fathom these stalwart punk rockers Bad Religion formed all the way back in 1979, and now with three decades of history behind them, their latest release, True North, comes in as album number 16 – a pretty staggering number – and they've proven, like a fine wine, they are still getting better with age. Coincidentally, album number 16 also contains 16 tracks that are all laced with the perfect amount of upbeat tenacity, pugnaciousness and truculence; all of which seem compiled together so effortlessly it will add yet another outstanding addition to their already legendary discography. 

Bad Religion definitely haven't lost their edginess, and while they've become the grizzly veterans (all six members are now middle-aged men) of the punk rock world, they are still not afraid to take aim at the government, religion and society as a whole in their music. Look no further than tracks like the first single, appropriately titled Fuck You, which contains the hook-laden chorus: “Sometimes it takes no thought at all/The easiest thing to do is say fuck you!”, followed by their trademark “whoa-ah”s. Dept Of False Hope takes a clear shot at the US government, whereas musically, they have changed some elements of their songwriting, in the form of a slower, more purposeful track Hello Cruel World. However, songs like Nothing To Dismay, and My Head Is Full Of Ghosts sound very reminiscent of their much older material – fast upbeat punk rock songs.

True North continues to solidify Bad Religion's empowering dynasty, confirming and reiterating that they are still one of punk's pre-eminent bands.