GOOD RIDDANCE: Bound By Ties Of Blood And Affection CD. high-octane, hardcore-infused, punk rock. Check samples (whole album).

Description

Good Riddance Bound By Ties Of Blood And Affection
Label: Fat Wreck Chords FAT654-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 20 May 2003
Genre: Punk Rock
Johnny Loftus of Allmusic rated Bound by Ties of Blood and Affection four stars out of five, stating that “though there isn’t much new in the sentiment or songcraft, the message is as relevant as ever, and its delivery system is a raucous, satisfying punk rock megaphone. It’s important for Rankin and the lads to carry their torches and set up their soapboxes, since for too many kids, punk means Hot Topic hair gel and black-vinyl spiked wristbands.”A Punknews.org review also rated the album four stars out of five, comparing it favorably to the band’s previous albums: “While this new album shows characteristics of their past work, it maintains a better flow than Ballads from the Revolution which, while great, portrayed an almost confused band, with songs switching off from super-poppy to hardcore. This album is closer to their last record Symptoms of a Leveling Spirit in the raw-yet-melodic punk style they have settled on, yet this album is higher quality songwriting overall than that previous record. While this does not top their classic A Comprehensive Guide to Moderne Rebellion, it is definitely near the top of their catalog”. 

Bound by Ties of Blood and Affection is the sixth studio album by the Santa Cruz, California-based hardcore punk band Good Riddance, released May 20, 2003 through Fat Wreck Chords. Like their previous two studio albums it was recorded at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado with the production team of Bill Stevensonand Jason Livermore. It was their last album with drummer Dave Wagenschutz; following his departure the band slipped into a period of inactivity during which singer Russ Rankin formed Only Crime with Stevenson. Good Riddance would return in 2006 for My Republic with drummer Sean Sellers, who had previously been in the band from 1996 to 1999.

Track listing 

All lyrics written by Russ Rankin; all music composed by Russ Rankin, except where noted.

Personnel 

• Russ Rankin – vocals
• Luke Pabich – guitar
• Chuck Platt – bass guitar
• Dave Wagenschutz – drums

5.0 out of 5 stars The latest chapter in a consistently astounding career.
Good Riddance are remarkable.
The combination of high-octane, hardcore-infused, punk rock with effortlessly erudite socio-political lyrics counterbalanced with heartfelt emotive songs that never stray into the realms of melodrama or kitsch sentimentality is once again captured here.

These guys are punk, no doubt about it. With all the silly debates over what is punk and what isn’t, no one can deny these guys the label. They play fast, loud, raw music. Their vocals, while mostly melodic, are gritty, and their lyrics are mostly political in nature. They walk the walk, with portions from every one of their CDs going to worthy causes. And they aren’t just some band hopping on the bandwagon, because they’ve been doing their thing for over ten years, have previously released five full lengths and two EPs, and they tour constantly. While their sound at times is leaning towards hardcore, no one can deny that Good Riddance is punk rock. Really solid punk rock at that.

With this, their sixth album on Fat, the boys don’t disappoint. It starts off strong with a huge drum fill and a scream by Russ, leading into “Made to Be Broken,” a melodic rocker akin to the sound on the “Phenomenon of Craving” EP. “Boxing Day” is poppy song, but keeps their signature edge and has some cool breakdown sections; this track reminds me of tracks off “Ballads from the Revolution.” “The Dubious Glow of Excess” has that darker side that was prevalent on “Operation Phoenix,” with Russ talking the verses and then singing over the hard-hitting choruses. And of course they don’t forget the sound clips from movies and political speeches to start lots of the tracks, like all their albums, along with a satirical cheesy message from the government to top off the album as the secret track.

“There’s No I in Team” is my favorite track, a hyper-tempo song with a catchy chorus and an interlude that lays back as Russ sings “We haven’t got the luxury / of neutral observation / ‘cause when it all is said and done / we stand or fall as one!” with that last line having some sweet harmonies over it making it that much more powerful. “Saccharine,” “Remember Me” and “Bobby Baun” are some other high points.

While this new album shows characteristics of their past work, it maintains a better flow than “Ballads…” which, while great, portrayed an almost confused band, with songs switching off from super-poppy to hardcore. This album is closer to their last record “Symptoms of Leveling Spirit” in the raw-yet-melodic punk style they have settled on, yet this album is higher quality songwriting overall than that previous record. While this does not top their classic “Comprehensive Guide to Moderne Rebellion,” it is definitely near the top of their catalog and should win over some new fans as well as please the old.