The punk rock movement needs more bands like Against Me!. The Gainesville, FL quarter has been paving their way in the scene since 1997 and this band just bleeds anarchy, energy, and rock n' roll. The 2014 release of 'Transgender Dysphoria Blues' was a groundbreaking album in the circles of punk and the ever-important transgender movement still making it's strides today. This album was not meant to be a safe record by any means, and the 2016 release of 'Shape Shift With Me' is no different with it's story like follow up to 'Transgender Dysphoria Blues'.
Shape Shift With Me was released September 16th, and we are nearing a month on it's public digestion. The 12 song album was released on Laura Jane Grace's own label, Total Treble. The album tells the story of lead singer Laura Jane Grace's point of view on relationships. Further more this album is a perspective on relationships from a trans point of view, a topic not touched on in the world of music as it should be. While Transgender Dysphoria Blues is a more internal record for Laura, Shape Shift With Me is more of an external perspective and puts the focus on other people and their emotions, experiences, and life. The record was announced mid summer along with the premier of the single "333" which you can check out below.
The album is sonically and musically a proper follow-up to the 2014 release 'Transgender Dysphoria Blues'. The record retains what we love about Against Me!: It's huge, anthemic, and completely inspiring. But this record not only touches on love, but comply encompasses an almost erotic vibe. It's truly a test of how angsty, sexual, tough, honest, and liberating a punk album can be. With a spokeswoman like Laura Jane Grace, this band blasts through this album and completely encapsulates an experience felt by many, and not talked about by enough.
Some main tracks for the first listener are 'Suicide Bomber', 'Crash', 'Rebecca', '333', and 'Boyfriend'. The second single off the record '333' has a nostalgic quality with its power pop, fuzz and even a slight tribute to KISS. You can check that out below as well.
Against Me! can be seen on tour this Fall with veteran punks Bad Religion in the U.S as well as an early Winter in the U.K. Pour yourself a drink, grab a coffee, or do what it is you do and check out the record. Below is a track listing:
1. ProVision L-3
2. 12:03
3. Boyfriend
4. Crash
5. Delicate, Petite, & Other Things I'll Never Be
6. 333
7. Haunting, Haunted, Haunts
8. Dead Rats
9. Rebecca
10. Norse Truth
11. Suicide Bomber
12. All This And More
