JESSICA RATCLIFFE
Arts Writer

On Sept. 28, the punk rock veterans Bad Religion dropped their 15th studio album, entitled The Dissent of Man.

For a band that has been together upwards of 30 years and has endured countless changes in line-up, it is surprising how consistent their sound continues to be with each new release.

For the most part, the album is everything you’d expect from the Southern Cali musicians. Lyrically, the boys are as strong as ever. Known for exploring issues of science, religion, history and authority in their music, the band consistently writes songs that push the limits of what punk music, or music in general for that matter, can be.

Unlike many other groups, they do not try to “dumb down” their lyrics or make their songs more accessible to the masses. The new album is no exception; songs like “Meeting of the Minds” and “The Resist Stance” are lyrically sophisticated and stylistically unique.

The one gripe I have with this album, and the last couple of Bad Religion albums, is that they tend to deal with the same subjects in almost every track. I’m all for sticking it to the man but in their more recent releases it seems like they are simply taking the same message (i.e. think for yourself, don’t be controlled by social institutions, etc.) and regurgitating it for each and every song.

Musically, though, the album is incredibly strong. Though some fans and critics have expressed disappointment in their increasing “softness,” I think the handful of slower songs on the album only serve to diversify the band’s sound. People who are familiar with their previous albums will know that some of their less hardcore songs are often some of their best (I’m thinking of “Boot Stamping on a Human Face Forever” and “Slumber” in particular). Their newest release is no different; a couple of the best slower songs on the album include “Won’t Somebody” and the lyrically weak but otherwise solid “I Won’t Say Anything.”

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the group or have never picked up an album of theirs in your life, I suggest giving Bad Religion’s newest release a listen. Those who are accustomed to the band’s older, more hardcore sound may find it difficult to adjust to some of the album’s softer tracks but anyone who is unfamiliar with their previous work will likely find The Dissent of Man to be a solid introduction to one of the most influential punk bands in existence.