Artist: Against Me!
Album: Searching For A Former Clarity
Label: Fat Wreck Cords
Tracks: 14
Reviewed By: Chaz

Against Me! has been one of my favorite bands over the past two years and I don't think that will change any time soon. They are a record collectors dream. I just wish I had more money, I would try to acquire their full discography of singles, ep's and lp's. "Searching For A Former Clarity" is this Florida folky punk rock group newest album. They take a lot of freedom under the flag of punk rock. They are willing to stretch their sound into straight up rock 'n roll but also able to crawl back into roots of country/folk music and able to keep their punk edge with both. "Searching For A Former Clarity" is their boldest move yet. They keep growing on their former material. They have added a more dance feel to this new album that wasn't really their in their last two. This album is also very driving. It's bang! bang! bang! over and over but then it just stops and in comes into the acoustic side of Against Me!

My favorite part of Against Me! is their acoustic material. I find it original and ground breaking at times. It's rare to run into a punk band that isn't afraid to write something that isn't for a circle pit and isn't sappy with an acoustic guitar. They are sarcastic, funny, political and heartfelt. It's great to hear a band mix work with play and not come off sounding ridiculous. This is one of the top three punk albums of the year, if not the best. It will be on my top 10 of the year and very near the top. This is the only Against Me! album I like all the way through. Their past releases have been a little spotty. I would like everything except two or three songs but this one is just solid!