New Wave

Music is music, dudes. A music label has no effect on a band's sound, especially not a band like Against Me!. Tom's got a family, I can't really speak for the other band members..., and he should be able to support them however he wants. Don't even dare blame them for being successful, you're the worst kind of jealous, fair-weather friend. I think the only people able to make reasonable judgements are the ones that began listening to them after this label switch because they're not attached to a "scene". And I'll be the first to admit that Axl Rose was my favorite album, but New Wave is splendid as well and well deserving of every fan they get for expanding their audience base.

Basically, this song seems to be about the mediocre-at-best mainstream music scene, and searching for that one original band that stands out among the cliched musical prototypes.

i think its an explanation of why they eventually decided to leave underground and make the move to sire records. he talks about how the mainstream music scene today is dog shit (1) and that their decision isnt so much a betrayal of punk ideals as it is an attempt to invade the mainstream (2) and popularize a movement of music thats actually worth listening to (3). it almost sounds like he's asking their original following to get over the fact that theyve committed the most unforgivable of all punk scene faux pas and accept their intentions as honorable (4).

1. "let breathe new dawn this art is dead, no signs of original thought in the mainstream"
2. "we can be the bands we wanna hear, we can define out own generation"
3. "looking for the crest of a new wave"
4. "is there anybody on the recieving end, are you ready to brave new directions?"

Against me is now totally mainstream, which could be a good or bad thing. Alot of people hate them for selling out since they are an amazing band. I think Tom just wants to take this band as far as he can. Hopefully they can wash these emo shores away. Against me is here to define a generation!

definately is referencing their move to mainstream.

probably the only song i can actually listen to on the new album

i'm not really sure if i like this song but i agree with AnchoviSmegma's explanation cause i wasn't sure how to explain it myself.

It seems to be mostly aimed at elitist 'old-school' AM! fans. Kinda like a "hey, heres our shot at change" message. If only the medium would've been something a little deeper than a hollow rock record, complete with enough cliches that could make even the cheesiest of senior citizens feel uncomfortable.

Regardless of the band's politics or there income, this record is not an AM! record, it is not a punk rock record, and they are certainly no longer the 'saviors of punk', but the heroes of 14-year old alternative kids desperately trying to be different than their friends and/or siblings.

Yeah I understand, everyone needs money. Shit, given the chance I think anyone would go for a multi-million dollar record deal.

Really, I'm sure these guys aren't much different maybe except for the fact they drink bottled water and not Blue Ribbon, but really constant Anarchist themed songs, records, conversations, messageboard manifestos, and lyric booklets get old after awhile. Personally I really liked their Fat Wreck releases, simply because they're weren't just against the system albums, they projected thoughts that you'd encounter when bullshitting with a guy at a bar at 1 am.

I'll end my ranting there a suppose. Sorry for the unprovoked bigoted opinions.

bfcobblerman08,

I think you should listen to their older stuff. smAM!1992 is right, they were all about never selling out. Now look at them. There are other ways of making ends meet than disregarding the values you live by and throwing them out the door.

AnchoviSmegma, you may be right, but as an old school against me fan, I think Tom's words are shot to hell now, and in the end he may defend his actions but its a silly thing to try and justify, when its more so a matter of principal.

I hate it when people criticize AM! for 'selling out'. So what if they've signed to a bigger label? Shouldn't fans of AM! support them and be happy for them when they've gained more fans and more airplay? They're still an amazing band in the end. Trying to keep them from appealing to a larger audience is just stupid. Stop being so damn elitist!