[This review originally appeared in The Scene.]

Bad Religion – The Process of Belief (Epitaph)

Don’t underestimate the power of consistency. Overly twenty years (yes, that’s right), Bad Religion have delivered solid album after solid album and have served not just as immeasurable contributor to the California punk scene but also as conscience of punk rock everywhere. After almost a decade in the major label world which saw founding member Brett Gurewitz depart to focus on his label, Epitaph, Bad Religion have returned to Gurewitz’s label and he has re-joined the band for Process of Belief. The resulting fourteen collaborations between Gurewitz and singer, Greg Graffin, are Bad Religion’s tightest and most melodic songs yet. (more…)

[This review originally appeared in The Scene.]

Joey Ramone – Don’t Worry About Me (Sanctuary Records)

No matter how much one reveres a musician, there’s something about the posthumous release that smacks of “cash in.�? Joey Ramone’s first solo project, Don’t Worry About Me, gives Ramones’ fans something more than shelf-filler. It becomes obvious when listening to the painfully simple and honest songs here that Joey has crafted his own obituary. (more…)