This is the second Agnostic Front CD that I own besides Riot, Riot, Upstart and my second favorite. I just got into them a while back when my bro said that he was a once best friend with Frenchie, the singer. I really don’t know much about the band today, but they’ve been around a long time and have released countless records but I thought they disbanded after the lead singer, Frenchie, was murdered. Why was he murdered? For the stupidest reason imaginable: These bikers that usually gave tattoos to him found out that he was getting a couple tattoos from another dude so they killed him because of that.

Dead Yuppies is the perfect CD to get into Agnostic Front. Riot, Riot, Upstart is more harder and raw so I think that beginners of the band might be overwhelmed by them, but this is perfect for you if you want to try them out, since they are really good. This came out in 2001 and surprisingly, it has all the same elements as the 80s punk rock sweep. The songs are all hardcore and fast paced with an angry singer, but what differs this group from other groups is that they have a gentle aura illuminating out of them deep under their aggressive lyrics.

What kind of music do they make? Sort of like a cross between Anti-Flag and Hot Water Music, but just by a little. To tell you the truth, they really don’t sound anything like any of the other bands these days. They have the most unique, original sound that they’ve maintained all these years. Instead of changing into poppier punk rock like most groups have, they have remained true to the genre and have made fans (including me) happy and in my book, they are on the same page as Dead Kennedys, Reagan Youth, and Black Flag since they are similar bands. If you like these bands, suit yourself up for Agnostic Front because it offers the same things.

The lyrics are one of the many highlights of the CD with lyrics centered on political views, socialism, and anarchy. The lyrics have always been a strong point for the band. The choruses that they come up with are simple enough for everyone to like and never gets too old. One of the best parts about the band though is the lead singer. His voice is amazing but sort of sounds like he has a stripped throat. He has the perfect voice that’s full of emotion and his screams are spectacular and he holds all the energy the band has to offer, but the bass, drums, and guitar also help them out.

Speaking of the instruments, they are very well mastered. The bassist, guitarist, and drummer are at the tops of their games in this CD with wonderful solos, riffs, and beats. Instead of slacking off like some bands do, they never cheat you. They put their heart and soul into their work and you will see this once you finish listening to the CD the first time. The first time is also the best listen because you’ll love the CD at first listen because it’s so user friendly, but raw. My mind was blown away when I heard it for the first time and I’ve loved the CD since. The fastness, pace, and tempo of each song is appropriate and performed at the right times and I guarantee that every time you hear the album you will hear something different because it has so many dimensions and angles to it.

1. I Wanna Know [5/5]

This is the perfect opening track and the song that made me love Agnostic Front. It has solid guitar and bass work that really sticks out from the rest of the CD and the singer’s frustrated tactics of yelling out words is really admirable and cool to hear. The drums are awesome and they drift the song along and with one of the best choruses ever created by the band with some really good lyrics, you get a great song.

2. Out Of Reach [5/5]

This song is even more fast paced then the first one. The drums are definitely the best of the song. They are furious and crazy, some of the best from the record. The guitar and bass are good keeping the pace with the drums and the tempo and melody are of the highest caliber. The chorus is fantastic with an angry “It’s out of reach!” being chanted. This is one of the beginning songs that really draws you into the CD and never lets you go.

3. Everybody's A Critic [4/5]

The fastness of this track and the melody of it is very memorable and just fun to hear. The guitar solo in the beginning is simple, but really terrific to hear. The drums are sort of familiar to another song on the record. The chugging of the guitar and the way the bass is tuned makes the song really good also. This is a song that everyone should definitely listen to, but it’s a little short and that sucks.

4. Liberty [6/5]

This is the best song on the record because of the politically aggressive lyrics and the really catchy chorus. The bass is strummed in waves and the distortion of the guitar gives the song and rough and raw edge. The bass and guitar make a solid sound and don’t really go off the given path, but the vocals make up for it. The singer’s vocals remind me a lot of Black Flag and that’s an A+ in my book and makes this song one of the best political songs of the CD.

10. Politician [5/5]

As another political song, it has to differ from all the other political songs on the record, and it certainly does with a bizarre melody and a slow tempo unlike the rest of the CD and it sounds spectacular. The guitar is played in pauses in the beginning and then takes over the rest of the song with the bass in the backup. The drums are slow, but fast paced until the middle and then the energy explodes from the song and is overall one of the best songs of the album with a great defiant chorus. Punk rock fans will love this song, as do I.

11. Pedophile [4/5]

The beginning parts of the song are my favorites of the CD and really make you understand the album. I don’t know what a pedophile is and I haven’t read the lyrics for the song, but the harmony of the screamer’s voice is awesome. The song is really unlike the rest of the album making the variety great and the drums are maybe the best of the CD with cool base stomps and cymbal taps that would make any seasoned drummer blush. The lyrics, the ones that I can understand, are great, but they are darker than the rest of the CD and that’s a good thing.

12. Alright [2/5]

This is the worst song of the CD and it’s utterly disappointing. It’s not catchy, the chorus is lazy, but I find that I still listen to it every now and then so it’s not intolerable, it’s just not as good as the rest of the CD. I have to admit that the guitar is pretty good, but the drums are a stale effort and sound repetitive and also similar to other tracks on the disc.

13. Dead Yuppies [5/5]

The singer’s talking some of the song, well not talking, but singing in a clear voice and it sounds cool. Although this song is really cool, I don’t think that it deserves to be the title of the album. It’s a really good song and very different from the other Agnostic Front songs and you can listen to it again and again. The drums are cool and they sound even better alongside the guitar and bass instead of behind them. The bass doesn’t really stand out on its own in this song, but you can hear it and what you hear is all good.

1. I Wanna Know
2. Out of Reach
3. Everybody’s A Critic
4. Liberty
5. Club Girl
6. Uncle Sam
7. Urban Decadence
8. Love To Be Hated
9. No Mercy
10. Politician
11. Pedophile
12. Alright
13. Dead Yuppies
14. Standing On My Own

Wrapping Up

If you want a CD that you can listen to many times and a record that you will like as soon as you tackle it, then this is the CD for you. Great songs, awesome band, agitated lyrics, what more can you ask for? An album like this doesn’t come along often and when it does it is shadowed by bad themes, but with Dead Yuppies, I am proud to say that you get your moneys worth. This is even a great record for beginners of the genre. If you are trying to get into Punk music, start here because this is what the category is all about: hard rocking fun and that’s what is the main point of this CD. Thanks for reading and don’t miss out on one of the sleeper hits of 2002.

Jason



Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends