Search - Bad Religion :: New Maps of Hell (Deluxe Version)

Well Worth The Money

John M. Helebrant | Minneapolis | 07/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, a lot of folks have been complaining about a deluxe edition having been released by Epitaph. They believe Epitaph is turning into just another big name record company. Let me set the record straight by saying these people are simply those who have the album and can't justify dishing out another 20 bucks for the deluxe edition. And as far as I'm concerned, Epitaph is offering the fan base a great thing here.



I'm writing this review for those that have already purchased New Maps of Hell as I also purchased the album upon its release. But I also purchased the deluxe edition and I have to say... It's well worth the money.



All of the original songs are still intact on the CD as they were in the original release. In addition are seven acoustic tracks. Personally, I didn't buy it for those as I don't think the Bad Religion sound really fits well in an acoustic setting. But Greg has done some solo acoustic work and I know he's good at it. Time will tell whether I get into them.



What really stands out in my opinion is the DVD. If you have Bad Religion's Live at The Palladium, then you'll understand that a concert like that will cost around 20 bucks. Well this is no different. There's an entire concert filmed at the House of Blues in Vegas on this DVD. It consists of 22 songs and the production is actually quite good. It consists of old favorites like Modern Man, Generator, No Control, I want to Conquer the World, American Jesus, and a slew of others including tracks off of New Maps of Hell. It may not be as energetic as past concerts, but it's done very well.



There's also a documentary on the DVD of how Brett and Greg recorded the acoustic tracks. I don't much care for that, but others might. I may get into it eventually as the acoustic tracks may eventually grow on me after a few listens as I mentioned earlier.



In addition to the concert and documentary, there are two videos (New Dark Ages and Honest Goodbye) from the new album and footage to the making of New Maps of Hell. These are nice little treats as I've always loved Bad Religions videos. It's not like you're going to see these on MTV or VH1. Do they even play music anymore?



If all of this isn't enough, how about two double-sided posters you can hang on your refrigerator or walls? I've already displayed my love for the band and it shows every time someone walks over to the fridge to grab a beer.



And what's a Bad Religion album without the lyrics. It comes with an updated lyric booklet but with Brett and Greg's scratch marks throughout on separate pages. Much like what Suffer looks like, but also with computer-printed lyrics.



So in closing, please don't listen to the whiny little self-righteous kids who are complaining that they released a deluxe addition to New Maps of Hell and that it's just to increase sales. For those that don't have the album yet, they're getting a killer deal. Those that do have the album are still getting a great deal with all of the extra goodies. As far as I'm concerned, if they whine about it and refuse to buy it, then they're not true Bad Religion fans. And if they lack the money and actually want it... Well... They're just whining because their jealous.

"

Heaven in "Hell."

Greg | Brooklyn Park, Mongolia | 07/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I did not think the original "New Maps of Hell" was a terrific CD. There were perhaps three songs that I feel are really strong tracks. But this, the deluxe version, is a fantastic value. I would have paid $20 just for the acoustic songs, which are just excellent. I hope more acoustic versions of Bad Religion songs are forthcoming. I love the punkier and rockier stuff a lot, but after a while, it's a little like Taco Bell--you know they're only working with about four ingredients, and no matter how many combinations you put the ingredients together in, the taste is going to be largely the same. With the acoustic stuff, a lot of nuance and subtlety emerges, and the brilliance of the lyrics shines through better. And the acoustic guitar work on "Sorrow" was a revelation. A band this musically capable shouldn't restrict themselves to a narrow style, any more than a truly talented chef should be making chalupas. A very impressive work, which restores my faith in the band's direction. Incidentally, someone commented that if the concert footage included in this package is representative, then Bad Religion must not be a very good live band. It's impossible to say where questions of taste are concerned, but I think Bad Religion is a wondeful live act. I've seen them four times so far and they put on a hell of a show. If I have a complaint at all it's that they could do with a little more variety. I realize they might be suffering from the "Misery" trap--give the fans what they want, or they'll chop off your foot and hold you hostage. But even hard-moshing punks can be won over to a tasty little anthem or ballad or folk ditty if it's used judiciously as a change of pace. Graffin put out a CD of folk songs a while back, and while I thought most of them were average or barely above, there were a couple of stand-outs. I would love to hear a little more of that at a Bad Religion concert--there'd still be plenty of time for the high-energy tear-em-ups that made the band famous."

Adam's atoms remain

Ben | Manchester, CT | 07/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you bought the import version of "New Maps of Hell" last year, like I did, you heard two extra acoustic tracks, "Sorrow" and "God Song," and they sounded great, but they left you wanting more. This year, we get a whole EP of acoustic tracks, plus a concert DVD, plus some behind the scenes stuff.



"New Maps of Hell," itself, was a little disappointing. See my separate review of it from last year. Basically, it was dragged down by horrible production that drowned out Greg Graffin's voice and over-fuzzed all the guitars. On the behind the scenes footage on the DVD, the reason why this happened is revealed.



Acoustic Tracks:

18. "Won't Somebody" 8/10: I like this song, and of all the new acoustic tracks, it's probably the one that will grow on me the most.

19. "Adam's Atoms" 7/10: The idea is good, and the chorus is catchy, but it sounds like it just wasn't ready to be a full song yet.

20. "Sorrow" 8/10: Not the same version as the one on the import version of "New Maps of Hell," and it's a little improved over that one. Still, this isn't the best Bad Religion song to make into an acoustic track; the regular version is mellow enough without it.

21. "God Song" 10/10: This is done very well. You have to hear it to get it, but this sounds so much better than "God Song" on "Against the Grain." The slowed-down version gives it the power it always deserved.

22. "Dearly Beloved" 10+/10: Wow. Wow. Wow. The difference between this version and the album version is incredible. In my review last year, I said the album version was killed by the horrible production, and this perfectly clear acoustic version proves that "Dearly Beloved" really is a great song when it's given the right approach.

23. "Chronophobia" 8/10: This sounds a lot like a song off "American Lesion" (a spectacular album, by the way). The verses are great, but the chorus is lacking, and the song is far too short. Like "Adam's Atoms," this one just wasn't ready.

24. "Skyscraper" 10/10: I would say this is about equal in greatness to the original "Skyscraper," but considering that the original was arguably the best song on "Recipe for Hate," that's pretty good. No silence and "Stealth" after this version, and that's a good thing.



DVD:

Concert 9/10:

Hey, it's a free Bad Religion concert. You can't argue with that, but if this concert is indicative of all their concerts, they're just not a very good live band. If you have "Tested," you would know they're a little hit or miss depending on the concert.



Behind the Scenes Footage 8/10:

The mystery of "New Maps of Hell" is solved, and it's great to see Greg and Brett playing together, but I would've liked to have seen more.



Overall, I recommend this version over the regular version of "New Maps of Hell," and even if you have the regular version, you should buy this Deluxe Edition. You can live without the DVD, but the bonus tracks, especially "Dearly Beloved," make this a worthwhile purchase.

"