I am an Against Me! fan. So when I say I did not like New Wave, let me put it into context. If someone heard New Wave without ever hearing their earlier work, they might say, Hey! Here’s a solid punk rock album! Great production value. Tastefully angsty vocals. Rolling, circle pit-inducing drum parts. Gritty, heavy guitars. The works. But compared to Reinventing Axl Rose, New Wave just falls flat. Don’t get me wrong. There are a lot worse things playing on the radio. A LOT! But lately, Against Me! has been cleaning up their act. The lyrics are more literal and less revolutionary. The lyrics are less raspy, vocal chord-tearing rants and more well-executed, man-shout verses. Against Me! will be a favorite of mine forever. New Wave will be forgotten. I only hope they come back on track, but I think their punk rock fireball learned how to sing like a normal person. Which sucks.