Okay, I know there are some folks around here who dig AM! I am completely unfamiliar with them. Where do I start?

Well, being that I live in their hometown, I'll volunteer for this. I'm actually not a big fan, but they've got some cool stuff.

I'd check out Reinventing Axl Rose first, but I'm of the opinion that their work has been on the decline since then.

Against Me! are punk?

I was under that impression, but of course, I can't be sure-- since I haven't heard them

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Against Me! are punk?

You know, when punk is dead, anybody can be classified as punk. There not THAT not punk, but they are not really...it's like...kinda... you know...like not really punk but kinda...

i've got to be honest, i thought new wave was a pretty fine album.
as for their punk-ness, i suppose that one can only assign the label 'punk' comparatively these days. as in, "against me! sure sounds closer to punk music than fiona apple does... i guess that makes them more punk than her." if you continued this process for all music, against me! would be startling close to punk music... but oh so far...

I wouldn't classify their new album as punk, but I do think they were more of a punk band early in their career. I would agree to start with Reinventing Axl Rose (whose title track is great). When you listen to songs like the title track, Pints of Guinness make you strong, and Those Anarcho Punks are Mysterious..., it's hard to say they are not a punk band (or at least were back then).

They are a great band. I think they combine a mix of punk, folk and rock. Who cares if there "punk"... everyone has conflicting arguments as to what is "punk" and what is not and the whole issue is pointless really.

I don't think you can recommend just one album to purchase with a band like Against Me! Chances are if you love whatever album you decide on you'll find the other offerings to be quite different in comparison. They are continually redefining themselves from album to album and their "production" has been cleaner with each new offering.

I would recommend you buy Reinventing Axl Rose and New Wave just so you can see how much they have changed. Both are great offerings from a great band.

If you ever get the chance to see them live don't pass it up. They play a mean set.

I just picked up New Wave today, because it was the only record in stock at the local second hand CD shop, and it was fairly cheap. I can certainly see why these guys have been given the 'punk' tag, and while it does not immediately grab me, I might end up really liking this. Time will tell, I guess.

Did you guys know that Ben Lee covered the entire album, New Wave? The poppier Ben Lee versions really emphasize how good these songs are. You can get a free download here:

Ben Lee's Blog

Actually, on the topic of the Gainesville music scene, I'd suggest Hot Water Music over Against Me!.

against me! is very punk. the new album isn't. anyone who listens to more than just the new album would know this.

also, ben lee recently covered the new wave in its entirety. surprisingly good.

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Originally posted by krugulitis:
against me! is very punk. the new album isn't. anyone who listens to more than just the new album would know this.

Umm...I have all their albums, they're not that punk, but still pretty good.

Re Ben Lee: Max Jack already pointed that out.

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Originally posted by Mike Honcho:

quote:

Originally posted by krugulitis:
against me! is very punk. the new album isn't. anyone who listens to more than just the new album would know this.

Umm...I have all their albums, they're not that punk, but still pretty good.

Re Ben Lee: Max Jack already pointed that out.

in what way were they not punk? i am really surprised by this. especially "as the eternal cowboy" - this isn't punk? yes, they have folk tinges in gabel's early work, and some rock flourishes throughout their catalog, but "not that punk", really? for christ sake they were/are anarchists (don't know what signing to the major has done to this ethic)!

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Re Ben Lee: Max Jack already pointed that out.

my apologies

Against Me's New Wave is very catchy. Local radio station has added Stop! to regular rotation.