Bad Religion - The Gray Race (1996) Flac / Mp3

The Gray Race is the ninth full-length album of the punk rock band Bad Religion, which was released in 1996. It was the follow-up to the band's highly successful 1994 album Stranger Than Fiction. This was the band's first album not recorded with original guitarist Brett Gurewitz (since the 1985 EP Back to the Known) and is their first release with Brian Baker, who replaced him during the Stranger Than Fiction tour. It was also the first album since How Could Hell Be Any Worse? that the band recorded as a group. Part of the reason for this was financial, but frontman Greg Graffin also wanted to foster a sense of unity following Gurewitz's jarring departure. This was also the first album with which Graffin solicited the opinions of other band members before recording. Graffin said that collaboration significantly improved the sound and quality of the album. Some songs on the album are considered fan favorites, such as, "Them And Us", "A Walk", "Punk Rock Song", "Spirit Shine", Ten in 2010", "Come Join Us", and "Cease".

It's a testament to a band that their weakest work is still this great. There's no question that the loss of guitarist Brett Gurewitz hurts the band. Gurewitz had a hot, edgy sound, and wrote half the songs, including all four singles off 1994's stunning Stranger Than Fiction. Losing such an awesome talent would cripple most groups. Fortunately, the other writer, extraordinary vocalist Greg Graffin, remains. He too has penned so many of Bad Religion's most memorable songs, and one can now add a bunch from Gray Race to this list. Moreover, this LP shows why it's an enormous relief this band survives and still prospers – there's no better punk rock band in the world. Not even close. No one else can mix such high octane tunefulness, the most thought-provoking lyric sheet around, and Graffin's still ungodly, powerful voice. Hell, does anyone in America deliver better harmonies than this bunch? No! The standouts are the mid-tempo chuggers – "Pity the Dead" is so catchy it hurts, with a knockdown bridge that stops the heart as Graffin strains for a dramatic high note. Likewise, "Spirit Shine" and the radio hit "A Walk" show the kind of melodic gifts a band should have to beg Lucifer for. The only reason Gray Race is even remotely weaker than their other LPs is because sympathetic producer Ric Ocasek (the Cars) smoothes out the firepower a tad. As well, without Gurewitz's half, a couple of songs seem so-so by past standards, and there's less variety. But make no mistake, Gray Race is one of the finest LPs any American band released in 1996; may they make records 'til the title of this LP refers to their hair.

Review by Jack Rabid, Allmusic.com

The Gray Race is the second major label release by punk rock legends, Bad Religion. It is also the first full-length album by the band to not have Brett Gurewitz on guitar. Brett brought a lot to the band, including writing some of their best songs. Replacing him on guitar would be Brian Baker, who is known from being in bands like Minor Threat and Dag Nasty. Losing Brett might’ve been a blessing in disguise, because Brian absolutely shreds on The Gray Race. He provides some of the best solos at just the right places. To top it all off, Ric Ocasek produces the record. He provides a murky and heavy sound, that focuses on thunderous guitars and in-your-face vocals. Greg Graffin provides some amazing lyrics like always, which are mostly politically and historically charged in a humble and intellectual manner, and the band’s harmonic sound is evident on here like their classic records. One listen to the album, and you’ll realize that the band hasn’t changed at all. They’re still Bad Religion, and they’re still rocking harder than ever. Melodic punk is truly what their meant to do. The first side is full of blistering punk tracks, along with some immediate hits thrown in there. “A Walk” is quite the anthem, and “Punk Rock Song” is one of the catchiest tunes the band has ever done. There’s a few songs that seem like your typical Bad Religion tracks, but the outstanding moments are spread out nicely. “Pity the Dead” is one of the best unheard songs by the band, as is the slower rocker, “The Streets of America.” What follows is rather forgettable, and quite ordinary songs you’d expect from the band. While they do have a nice sense of melody, there’s just not enough substance to carry them very far. Luckily, things end with the fantastic song, “Cease.” A track that seems to be broken up by solos and great lyrical content. Overall, The Gray Race seems to be a bit uneven. They could have taken off a lot of the tracks to make a shorter punk record that gets to the point. You’d probably listen to classics like No Control or Suffer before picking up The Gray Race, but it’s still a good record by a great band. It’s a fine try to a sound they already mastered in the past, which is something any hardcore Bad Religion fan can appreciate.

Review by Bass Head, Allmusic.com User

Tracklist
01. The Gray Race (2:06)
02. Them And Us (2:51)
03. A Walk (2:09)
04. Parallel (3:25)
05. Punk Rock Song (2:27)
06. Empty Causes (2:52)
07. Nobody Listens (1:57)
08. Pity The Dead (2:56)
09. Spirit Shine (2:11)
10. The Streets Of America (3:50)
11. Ten In 2010 (2:22)
12. Victory (2:37)
13. Drunk Sincerity (2:13)
14. Come Join Us (2:04)
15. Cease (2:35)
16. Punk Rock Song (German Version) (2:27) - Bonus Track