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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2008 > September > 29 > Entry
ACL review: Against Me!
Was that too soon?
Sorry, let’s move on.
Point is Against Me! found themselves at the front of the pack creatively after last year’s across-the-board winner “New Wave.” For their next trick, they’re trying to link up their earlier, less-nuanced output with fans inducted in the wake of the band’s newfound success.
It looks like they’re two for two based on their performance Sunday afternoon, blasting through anthems new and old without losing the sizable crowd one bit.
It was interesting to note throughout that even though many of the songs on “New Wave” such as “Stop!” or the title cut contain production touches and embellishments not found on many punk records, they stood just as strong when played stripped down, fast and loud like the older material, including “Cliche Guevara.”
Energetic and workmanlike the entire way — drummer Warren Oakes is in the running for the honor of most outwardly happy musician anywhere — that energy easily bled into the songs and let them shine.
The sweetest moment came when Tegan Quin of folk duo Tegan and Sara (also playing the festival) appeared on stage to accompany lead singer Tom Gabel on the swaying ballad “Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart.” The song, which features Quin on record as well, is one of the prettiest passages in the band’s catalog. Does that mean soon we’ll hear Against Me! blending folk-pop into its musical mix. Crazy as it sounds, at this point if they try it I wouldn’t bet against them.
Photo: Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN
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