Disco de Bad Religion: “New Maps of Hell”

I did not think the original "New Maps of Hell" was a terrific CD. There were perhaps three songs that I feel are really strong tracks. But this, the deluxe version, is a fantastic value. I would have paid $20 just for the acoustic songs, which are just excellent. I hope more acoustic versions of Bad Religion songs are forthcoming. I love the punkier and rockier stuff a lot, but after a while, it's a little like Taco Bell--you know they're only working with about four ingredients, and no matter how many combinations you put the ingredients together in, the taste is going to be largely the same. With the acoustic stuff, a lot of nuance and subtlety emerges, and the brilliance of the lyrics shines through better. And the acoustic guitar work on "Sorrow" was a revelation. A band this musically capable shouldn't restrict themselves to a narrow style, any more than a truly talented chef should be making chalupas. A very impressive work, which restores my faith in the band's direction. Incidentally, someone commented that if the concert footage included in this package is representative, then Bad Religion must not be a very good live band. It's impossible to say where questions of taste are concerned, but I think Bad Religion is a wondeful live act. I've seen them four times so far and they put on a hell of a show. If I have a complaint at all it's that they could do with a little more variety. I realize they might be suffering from the "Misery" trap--give the fans what they want, or they'll chop off your foot and hold you hostage. But even hard-moshing punks can be won over to a tasty little anthem or ballad or folk ditty if it's used judiciously as a change of pace. Graffin put out a CD of folk songs a while back, and while I thought most of them were average or barely above, there were a couple of stand-outs. I would love to hear a little more of that at a Bad Religion concert--there'd still be plenty of time for the high-energy tear-em-ups that made the band famous.

So, I already have the original release...why do I need a second copy? Because I'm a seriously devoted Bad Religion fanL: I collect their albums (even re-releases) and I like to support them and the Epitaph label. This release not only has the original songs from New Maps of Hell, but also has some amazing acoustic tracks!! The DVD included is a fantastic bonus...great footage which reminded me of their lastest club tour which I was fortunate enough to see. The posters and general presentation of the album is classic Bad-Religion-style (great imaging and kinda angry) and is a must-have for those who still appreciate cd artwork and packaging. If you just want the New Maps of Hell album and aren't a devoted nut-case-of-a-fan like myself, you might just want to purchase the original release or download it off i-tunes like the kids do nowadays...but if you are a B.R. collector...drop the twenty bucks, pretend its 1994 when cd's were the thing to have and get stoked off it!!!

I have always been a bad religion fan, but hadnt kept up with them for awhile. However, I was pleased with this album very much. What I love about bad religion, is that they never f*(kin change, they dont try to change-they are who they are; and they have always been f8ckin awesome man! I still listen to them well into adulthood. They give me tons of energy at my job as a janitor-they hook it up for me every freakin night~-thank ya!

PS: these guys need no recommendation, they are legends!

i have to say first off that i'm a huge fan of BR. i've liked just about everything they've done, with maybe one or two exceptions.

i bought the deluxe version mainly because i wanted the additional acoustic tracks, and it was well worth the extra couple of bucks. the dvd is well produced, with a complete show included; the cd, in my opinion, is a good one, and you get two BR posters to hang on your wall - what's not to like?

have to say, for die-hard BR fans, this is a great buy.

A Great Album!!!! The 7 Acoustic tracks are really good! I only wish there were more acoustic songs like Only Entertainment, The Answer, Struck A Nerve, Sanity, etc....... I really enjoyed having the Subtitles (lyrics) to the songs on the Live At The Palladium DVD. It would have been nice if they had that feature on the live show on this deluxe edition of New Maps Of Hell, but I am happy with it anyways. Great posters!!!! A++++