The Dissent of Man

On Bad Religion's 15th album in 30 years, the stage opens with a sentimental but roused Greg Graffin reminiscing, "Do you remember when we were young?/Adventure had no end/Those were the days, my friend," to recall the melodic blast of their early years. Producer Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Tool) seeks range with some midtempo pop/rockers like "The Devil in Stitches," "Won't Somebody," and "Cyanide," the latter with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' Mike Campbell on slide guitar. Elsewhere, "Only Rain" takes it back to their roots and features some of Bad Religion's most provocative anti-Christian commentary -- which is saying a lot for a band with a crossed-out cross for a family crest. ~ Jason Lymangrover