Good Riddance: Before The World Caves In
Seasoned punks Good Riddance return with their 10th studio album, ‘Before The World Caves In’, set to be unleashed on 27th March via Fat Wreck Chords. Formed in Santa Cruz, US, in 1990, they have been a steadfast presence in the hardcore punk scene ever since. This album is their first release since their ninth in 2019, and despite the long wait, fans won’t be disappointed. As you’d expect from a punk band, the songs are all short, razor-sharp and leave you wanting more…
‘There’s Still Tonight’ eases you in with an audio snippet from the 1992 caper thriller Sneakers. The film’s “villain” intends to erase financial records to make everyone, rich or poor, equal. Personally, I can’t say I disagree with that idea, and it would seem Good Riddance feel the same. The track rages against divisions in society and how they hurt all of us, one way or another, in classic punk fashion. ‘In Pieces’ thrusts you straight into a fast-paced track with no warning, driven by pounding drums and frantic riffs. ‘Poverty of Language’ is a defiant call to arms against apathy and emptiness, based on a term used to describe speech that appears normal but lacks substance because it is vague, empty or rooted in stereotypes. A very relevant track for many of us in the UK and US right now.
‘No More System to Believe In’ is the longest track on the album at 3 minutes and 14 seconds. You’d be mistaken if you thought the song was upbeat; while the memorable main riff, combined with bass and drums, drives the track forward, the lyrics tell a different story. They rally against the rise of capitalism and the subsequent erosion of democracy. In particular, the lines “And the soil reeks of sedative” and “Fortune achieved at such a cost” stand out. ‘All Just Rain’ features an excellent bassline acting as the backbone of the song, paired with an almost frantic energy, though it culminates a little too quickly, in my opinion. ‘To Suffer Is the Name’ explores the unreliable nature of memory and the importance of accepting yourself and your mistakes, because you can’t be anybody else. It’s an important reminder that we can only accept our past and try to move on.
‘Posse Comitatus’ is surprisingly heavy and slower compared to the rest of the album; it’s definitely a standout track for me. The title refers to a U.S. federal law that generally prohibits federal military personnel from engaging in domestic law enforcement, such as policing, arrests or searches, within the US. It’s an important reference in a time of political upheaval, where branches of the military are being used to suppress citizen uprisings across the country.
‘Drive Faster’ has that classic ’90s pop-punk sound, more optimistic than some of the other tracks, with a catchy hook. It feels nostalgic, tinged with sadness, ending on the line “we’re left with nothing but these memories”. ‘Thoughts Words Scars’ is a stark contrast: the vocals angrier, the drums more emphatic, the riffs more urgent. ‘What Kind of Day Has It Been’ ends the album on a high – fast, furious and full of resistance.