Search - Thought Riot :: Shattered Mirror Syndrome

Best punk album ever?

John Doe | Oz | 01/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm sorry but the other reviews just didn't do this album justice. I'm a stubborn old school punk purist who likes music hard, fast and smart, so it shocks me to find that this little known Californian band has managed to outdo virtually all of punk's greats with their debut album. Lyrically, this album is outstanding - it rivals the best of Bad Religion and Dead Kennedys. "Our ethnocentric impulses lead to genocidal consequences" spits Marc on 'Encomienda'. "Diversity slows progress so it's clear what we must do - destroy anything not interchageable with our pursuits" he sneers on 'Save the Humans'. 'Not Our Property' is a powerful animal rights argument: "we designate our higher rank, then subjugate those of a lesser state". Musically, the riffs are dark and fast, similar to AFI. Vocalist Marc has an awesome voice, melodic yet angry, and it is a real skill to maintain melody and rhyme whilst singing at such a furious pace. What's more, the thing that sets Thought Riot apart from other 'intellectual' punk bands like Bad Religion, Crass, DK etc, is their ability to write catchy anthemic songs without losing lyrical integrity. Generally, the verses are high speed rants, while the choruses are fist-in-the-air anthems, as the whole band shouts along. The backing vocals are excellent - the throaty screams of Kelly really add menace to the music. The album is highlight after highlight. OPener 'Breaking Old Tablets' encapsulates punk beautifully, telling us to break down the values and practices placed on us by society and create our own. Despite the fact that most of the band members are 'straight edge' (non-drinking, non drug, vegetarians), the track 'Sign of the Times' is a brilliant argument against someone converting to straight edge lifestyle out of a need to have rules to live by. They accuse the person of exchanging one addiction for anther. 'On Friends and Mistakes' is one of the most moving love songs to come from a punk band: "I never promised you I'd be the perfect someone, I'm only human but I'll give you all my heart". "Patriot' is a clever parody of flag-worshipping ballads.I can't recommend this album highly enough - it's catchy, intelligent, anthemic, emotional and hardcore. For anyone who values punk in the slightest, this is essential. "Your life is art, so paint it bright"."

AFI meets Anti-Flag

brand new | NJ, USA | 11/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"hey most people may not have heard of this band called thought riot from AF Records. well id bet most of you have heard of anti-flag and AFI. thought riot is a mix of the politcal side of anti-flag and the vocals and lyrics of AFI. its an amazing debute cd. the guitars are very catchy and the vocals fit amzingly. the first 5 songs and song 7 are without doubt the best on the cd. its worth thr price for those alone. their new cd is coming out soon. i cant wait. pick them both up if you have neither. check out the code too! another amazing band from AF records.."

An awesome CD by an awesome Band

brand new | 02/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll start by simply saying, Thought Riot is one of the best bands I have heard in a very very long time. It seems like usually when I but a CD, I end up just listening to a few of the songs over and over, but Thought Riot is not that way at all. Everything on it just amazing. If you are into punk music this is most definitely for you. They don't only have the sound of punk either, they are quite political, and sing about everything from government greed, the Vietnam War, and even just how people are so often stupid. And while the whole CD is excellent, Save the Humans, Encomienda, and Sign of the Times, stand out even beyond the rest of the great songs."