Review Summary: I want to believe
In choosing the name for their band (even within the realms of punk rock), Bad Religion made their mission statement very clear from their earliest output. Although an expression of classic punk ideals, the idea of religion as a core concept for the band's music was arguably always more of a representation for their disdain of pre-determined ideas; digestible notions for those with a stomach to accept them. This iconoclastic image could be extended in a variety of ways, and in true punk style, it fed into their singular vision for each album- whether that be the human experience, the political circus, the consumerist utopia, or the media monster. All of their ideas, whilst never completely distilled into what could justifiably be called 'a concept', created a miasma of ideological and philosophical meandering that was always caustic and laser-focused, resulting in a career filled with fire and brimstone punk rhetoric. It is on The Process Of Belief, however, that these insights were at their most striking, deep and, ironically, perhaps their most prophetic. The release has a consistency to its ideas and tone that is perhaps only matched by its sister piece, The Empire Strikes First. What that record did for that current political system, TPOB does on a far more expansive scale for the culture of faith.
Much like every post-2000s release from Bad Religion, the unmistakeable style is evident from opener, 'Supersonic'. Frantic riffing, melodic vocal passages and catchy choruses abound, with the usual short track lengths allowing each song enough breathing room to find its' own momentum but never outstay its welcome. Among the notions explored are ideas of experience and how these are linked with the difficult task of accepting ideas that seem to defy logic, and some of these standpoints strike an unusual depth perspective from a band as firmly rooted in punk as Bad Religion. 'Prove it', an explosive, defiant warcry carries much of the anti-judgement sentiment as any of the band's other work, but links this with a yearning for the truth, and an assertion that the open heart to receive the answers is enough. Indeed, the track has an intriguing outro that proclaims, 'There is no such thing as hell, but you can make it if you try'. This notion, that for the non-initiated no explanation will suffice, but for the loyalists, that none is necessary is captured with all the punk eloquence expected of a band of this stature. 'Can't Stop It' takes this baton and continues running with it, the galloping melody a neat touch to a song that explores ideas of the power of belief steamrolling over society- be it the belief itself, or the power it holds over the masses.
The rest of the release continues this thoughtful, cynical trend whilst never giving way to being maudlin. Single track 'Sorrow' comes at a more considered pace and laments the idea of rescue from forces both unseen and known all too well. The comparison of 'kings and queens relinquishing their crowns' being mentioned alongside 'the only true messiah rescuing us from ourselves', is a bitter, simple comparison that is followed up beautifully with Graffin musing 'it's easy to imagine....'. The songwriting makes grand leaps in its simple prose and metaphor and it all gels cohesively and incisively explores these important issues with minimal fluff. 'Epiphany', with it's chorus line of 'what's clean and pure is not so sure', is again, a slightly slower paced song, but for a portrayal of society lost in a slurry of belief with no real direction or clear vision, it is strikingly relevant in its ugliness. Of course, there are plenty of the usual Bad Religion stormers to be found on the release, with 'Evangeline' and 'Kyoto Now!' the real standouts. The latter especially, with its slightly tongue-in-cheek yet still deadly serious title is a heartfelt punk rock song with an ugly truth laying just inches below the bombast.
Whilst always overtly political in nature, Bad Religion use the lens of belief to exemplify a myriad different tyrannical leanings on this record. The band, as ever, sound incredibly tight as a unit and there's a complex lyricism to offset the comparatively simple punk-rock style. There are some occasions of experimentation with slight tempo changes and unusual movements to the songs, but none of these are garish enough to cause a distraction and instead serve as interesting asides to an already solid feat of punk rock. The most startling thing about Process Of Belief though, is in the transmission of its ideas. Whereas a great many of the band's former work has been done with a knowing wink-and-a-smile in regards to the more serious overtones, The Process Of Belief is incredibly straight-faced with its intentions, whilst still retaining the fun factor the band has always been known for. Especially when compared with the outfits newer, possibly too-cynical (albeit justified) material, this release serves as a benchmark for Bad Religion in terms of depth, charm, and insight. It may not be the best release in their backcatalogue musically, but along with TESF, it is certainly the most fully formed and carefully constructed. Much the opposite of the system they have attempted to dismantle for the last 40 years
