Against Me! takes a breather from their traditional punk rock formula on their latest album, Searching for a Former Clarity, while still maintaining the passion and honesty found on previous albums, such as Reinventing Axl Rose and the S/T acoustic EP. Lyrically, Searching for a Former Clarity is more personal than other Against Me! releases, especially as the band deals with slight fame and criticism from longtime fans that claim the band has sold out and betrayed the independent, do-it-yourself ethics of the punk rock scene. The band addresses their critical and sometimes harsh fans on the new album. “There’s vultures preying on the underground… tar and feather the pretenders on the streets,” singer Tom Gabel hollers on the fast-paced tune “Mediocrity Gets You Pears (The Shaker).” Like previous albums, the band also tackles politics. The third track on the album, “Justin,” is about the nature of military marketing and the story of one man’s death in war. The lyrics to “Justin” are more somber than the band’s other political songs, like “Those Anarcho Punks Are Mysterious…” from Reinventing Axl Rose or “Cliche Guevara” from the band’s last album, The Eternal Cowboy. “From Her Lips to God’s Ears (The Energizer)” slams the Bush administration for invading Iraq and creating so much bloodshed and destruction. In the song, the band asks the Bush administration: “After all this death and destruction do you really think your actions advocate freedom?” Unlike other tracks on the album, “From Her Lips to God’s Ears (The Energizer)” sticks to the band’s usual formula of intense, raw punk rock. The band’s angry screams of “Condoleezza” in the chorus should make the song a sing-along anthem among fans.
After receiving several offers from major labels, which is documented in the band’s DVD “We’re Never Going Home Again,” Against Me! also attacks the nature of the mainstream music industry in the track “Unprotected Sex with Multiple Partners,” which is about the greed of the corporate music industry. The band’s assault on the major label industry continues on the album. “Constant entertainment for our restless minds. Constant stimulation for epic appetites,” Gabel sings on “Don’t Lose Touch.” Musically, Searching for a Former Clarity is surprisingly soft and different compared to other Against Me! releases. Instead of sticking to a receptive formula, the band diversifies. Opening track “Miami” features a horn section, while “Don’t Lost Touch” uses upstroke guitar riffs similar to ska music.
The album’s quietest song, “Joy,” is a gem. The lyrics are poetic, since it is about seeking understanding and faith in a world of confusion and chaos. The song consists of Tom Gabel singing with an acoustic guitar, which creates an intimacy not found on the album’s other tracks. “Joy” resembles the beauty and style found on the band’s acoustic S/T EP from 2003. Searching for a Former Clarity is also far more complex and dense than other Against Me! albums. J. Robbins’ production style creates a complicated wall of sound on the album, which may alienate some more Against Me! fans that prefer the band’s stripped-down, punk rock style. However, Searching for a Former Clarity still maintains some of the nakedness and intensity found on other Against Me! albums. On the tracks “Joy,” “Problems,” and “Miami,” Tom Gabel’s voice is just as guttural as it was on The Disco Before the Breakdown EP, Reinventing Axl Rose, and other recordings.
Searching for a Former Clarity is a step forward for the band, but the album is not as accessible as previous Against Me! albums and EPS. The band’s latest album takes several repeated listens for acceptance, which is sure to annoy some longtime fans that long for the days when Tom Gabel only howled punk rock anthems and the band only played shows in basements.
Yet, with each album, Against Me! matures and strengthens as a band. The praise and appeal the band has recently gained is much deserved. Despite the repetitive, lackluster mainstream and independent music industry, Against Me! managed to release another album that is honest, fresh, heart-felt and passionate.