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The Gray Race

Bad Religion - The Gray Race Audio CD

A fair review of the Bad Religion "The Gray Race" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Bad Religion reviews here, or go back to the Bad Religion tabs.

Band: Bad Religion
Title: The Gray Race
Rating:

Release Date: 1996-02-27
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Gray Race 2: Them and Us 3: Walk 4: Parallel 5: Punk Rock Song 6: Empty Causes 7: Nobody Listens 8: Pity the Dead 9: Spirit Shine 10: Streets of America 11: Ten in 2010 12: Victory 13: Drunk Sincerity 14: Come Join Us 15: Cease

Thought-Provoking, Straight-Forward Punk
They have been around longer than most of the "one hit wonder" Southern Cali punk rock groups. Bad Religion is one of the must have classic bands of the punk world. They write just plain simple, but good punk rock songs. Most of their songs are socially conscious on the political side of the fence, rather than love ballads. They started in Southern California in the 1980's and have had several line-up changes, but the most vital member of the band has remained- singer Greg Graffin.

Graffin wrote all fifteen songs on The Gray Race as well as lending his constant powerful vocals. It has songs like "A Walk", with its energy and pop sense, yet still remaining on the punk side and "Punk Rock Song" that is furious. but of course has Graffin's intelligent lyrics about world problems. Graffin's voice is always solid and simple, never whiny or annoying like some other punk/alternative rock singers. The album is like all other Bad Religion albums -- entertaining with it's thought-provoking, straight-forward punk rock music.

Silent Masterpiece
In my opinion, this is the most overlooked punk album of the 1990s. One of my best friends got this disc in fifth grade and used it to introduce me to the band. . There are very few albums I own where I don't have to skip over a single track. . This is one of the few. . The lyrics are so creative and in depth that half the time I'm flipping through the dictionary to make sense of it all. . Greg Graffin is not only an icon with lyrical brilliance on stage, but his genius has allowed him to be a professor at UCLA. .

The amazing thing about 'The Gray Race' is that it's masterful touch seems to come without any such effort. There are highly successful albums out there that when I listen to it, it just seems as if the band tried so hard, almost too hard to outdo themselves (eg. Linkin Park). . Bad Religion is the type of band whose ideas seem to come so rapidly and with such ease that you can feel their talent and energy when you listen to them. . I recommend this album to any person who does or has ever been a fan of punk music, it's a must for your collection. . If my word means anything, it almost certainly will not disappoint (not to mention it's inexplicably cheap price on Amazon). .

1) The Gray Race: 9. 5/10
2) Them And Us: 8/10
3) A Walk: 8. 5/10 (Received radio play from what I know)
4) Parallel: 9. 5/10
5) Punk Rock Song: 10/10
6) Empty Causes: 9/10
7) Nobody Listens: 8/10
8) Pity The Dead: 8. 5/10
9) Spirit Shine: 7. 5/10
10) The Streets Of America: 9. 5/10
11) Ten In 2010: 9/10
12) Victory: 9. 5/10
13) Drunk Sincerity: 9/10
14) Come Join Us: 10/10
15) Cease: 9. 5/10

Overall Grade: A/A+

For other Bad Religion, look into: 'Against The Grain', 'No Control', 'Stranger Than Fiction', 'The Process Of Belief', 'The Empire Strikes First', 'New Maps Of Hell'

.

The last outstanding Bad Religion album! After this...mediocrity
After this each release seems to be heading towards repetition and mediocrity. This is honestly the last 'great' Bad Religion album. . .
Bad Religion is one of the few bands (in any genre) that continued to come up with outstanding or at least very strong albums since their 1988 'Suffer' release. 'The Gray Race' marks the end of their legacy IMO but it is such an end!

Many fans were afraid that after Mr. Brett's (songwriter/guitarist) departure the band will go commercial and loose their edge, but this fortunately didn't happen here. This album contains all of BR's trademark hooks (melodic vocals, memorable and catchy choruses, great guitar riffs and strong drumming). The band has come up with some of their best song material ever in tunes such as "Parallel", "Cease", "Ten in 2010", "Come Join Us" and "Them and Us"!

In terms of atmosphere 'The Gray Race' brings across something in between 'Stranger Than Fiction' and 'Generator', what more do you need? Vocally and lyrically Graffin is still going strong and inspired (not like nowadays) as in all previous efforts, the guitar riffs-solos are memorable and undeniably Bad Religion, the bass melodic as usual, while Bobby is excellent behind the drum set.

Buy this without hesitation. . . actually buy every BR album from Suffer up to this, you won't be disappointed.

One of their finest moments.
Fifteen songs in the usual Bad Religion style with fast tempos, catchy melodies and singing , and the very caustic lyrics by singer Greg Graffin. After the very successful "Stranger than Fiction" album, Bad Religion came to release perhaps their best album so far and a true gem in the musical scene. It's truly amazing to hear Bad Religion play in such great shape using all their energy and freshness providing a very pleasant listening experience while also spreading their political stigma and raising the middle finger to all those who deserve it. Some of the highlights of the album are "The Streets of America", "Spirit Shine", "Ten in 2010", and my favorite from this album "Pity the Dead" where we're faced with a critical dilemma on why we pity the dead looking at all the living. Overall this is a very pleasant album to listen to, an album that can accompany you through almost any activity you choose to do. Friends of punk rock or any other open-minded fans of good music will definitely find this album pleasing and will enjoy each and every second of it.

Come join us
This is the 3rd Bad Religion I've brought within the past 4 days! That must tell you something. Well firstly scrap the last review i gave for the process of belief,I now love that song epiphany. This is another classic BR album. Sure it sounds a bit different to the other 2 I've got: Generator and Process of Belief but thats not a bad thing.
To all the naysayers out there I say that this is a great Bad Religion album, not one song deserves less than 5 stars, well spirit shine just gets 5 stars but its a short song so its not too bad. On with the review since im listening to the album right now:

1. The Gray Race: 5/5 Great lyrics:' The Gray race shrivels and the world it creates is black and white. ' Very fast song and slows down towards the end but then picks up to the same pace it was before. Awesome drums and guitars as well. Great way to start the album.

2. Them and Us. 5/5 Even after playing Crazy Taxi on the dreamcast this is still an awesome song. Just listen to those lyrics!Amazing!

3. A Walk 5/5 Dont know why some people dont like this song. The song is all about being yourself and not listening to others. Very punk rock song.

4. Parallel 5/5 Incredible song. Im gonna have "Our lives are parallel" stuck in my head for days.

5. Punk Rock Song 5/5 So awesome, great drums, guitars and lyrics. Says alot about the masses not caring for our world and ignoring the poverty thats around us.

6. Empty Causes. 5/5 Laughed the first time I heard this song and still brings a smile to my face when I listen to it.

7. Nobody Listens. 5/5 Well this is one of my favourite songs on the album even though its under 2 minutes long. Very FAst lyrics,drums and guitars. One of their best songs I believe.

8. Pity the dead. 5/5 "Why do we pity the dead are you churned by emotion from the voices in your head (are you scared of the logic that swirls in your head) look at all the living and you'll ask yourself why do we pity the dead" Those lyrics basically say it all, amazing song.

9. Spirit Shine. 5/5 The only low point of the album because of the annoying chorus but the song is over quick so its all good.

10. Streets of America. 5/5 Slows the albums pace right down but still a great song.

11. Ten in 2010. The most hardcore song on the album. I think the lyrics mean that there will only be 10 people left in the year 2010.

12. Victory. 5/5 Not much to say on this one but great vocals combined with the message that we kill just to claim victory for a lost cause shines through and propels this songs meaning to a higher level than the song preceding it.

13. Drunk Sincerity. 5/5 Another song where the chorus will be stuck in your head for ages. " Its all just drunk sincerity. "

14. Come join us. 5/5 Wow this is another of my favourite songs on the album, the way its all put together is just amazing. BR have really outdone themselves here.

15. Cease. 5/5 Best possible way to finish an incredible album.

To be honest I prefer Generator over this release but im still amazed that even with the label change and losing Brett for this disc that this album is as good as it gets. However like all good reviews " Everything must cease!".

You can see a complete list of all Bad Religion discography, or go back to the Bad Religion tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.