Anyway, with "Transgender Dysphoria Blues" suggests Laura a new chapter of -hoffentlich long bestehenden- tape. Musically If we focus on the last album, the 4 years ago (!) Published "White Crosses", although the current disc, last but not least, much more raw and edgier sounds due to various personnel changes, as well as the production made by Grace itself.
In the opener, once the title track, is a a driving drum beat hewn around the ears, the structurally somewhat reminds me of "Pints Of Guinness Make You Strong" from the debut album. The song makes you want more, especially, even for AM! Conditions, unusually open and direct text, which runs like a red thread by the rest of her album.
"True Trans Soul Rebel" and "Unconditional Love" (in the latter, incidentally, with Fat Mike of NOFX bassist) would have fit easily on the "New Wave". Class melodies and choruses that go catchy before being first blown with "Drinking With The Jocks" out of the chair. A really dirty piece of punk rock, which need not fear comparison with breakers like "White People For Peace" or "From Her Lips To God's Ears" to fear.
"Osama Bin Laden As The Crucified Christ" is musically in a slightly different, experimental, direction. Elsewhere I have read of a comparison with Wolfmother, which can be put up so. Goes well forward, but does not quite fit into the concept, I think. Much like "Americans Abroad" on the "New Wave", the piece would have been more fitted to the "Searching For A Former Clarity". Although the lame text interesting to a very exciting topic in the most positive way!
With "F ... MYLIFE555" (the preliminary version of this review was probably not released on Amazon due to the correct spelling of this title ...) is for me the absolute highlight of the album. A hymn to the Lord (sic!), As it can only have come from the pen of Laura Jane Grace. This song is incredibly personal and oppressive written, and not least well become the highlight and fortunately also a single.
A song that will hopefully include immediate indispensable live repertoire of the band's "Dead Friend". That thing will live with security off as Bolle! [EDIT: went off like Bolle!] The chorus with the distinctive voice James Bowman's background has absolute Mitgröhl- and headbanging potential. The next song is "Two Coffins", an acoustic ballad that Laura wrote in reference to their wives. Very spherical, not typical for AM !, but good. Does not fall on size.
If someone has lost the attention during this song, it should have regained the latest with "Paralytic States". Please, dear listeners, shipyard absolutely times one to two seconds on the text! Although written very depressing and pessimistic, pushing this piece a goose bumps all over the body. With "Black Me Out", the completion of the album, a different mood is audible. Angry and pissed sings Laura of ignorant fools, and what they would like to do with them.
Overall, "Transgender Dysphoria Blues" a catchy, melodic album. In my opinion, it comes very close to the perfect musical "New Wave" ran, but the vorzufindenden here texts beyond any previously precedent frame. Personally, however, open and direct, courageous, and above all important! Especially in the punk genre whose scene is often characterized by false tolerance, here a an issue is brought closer, the often no or insufficient attention, and then only a reactionary or regressive nature, was given.
In this respect: "Transgender Dysphoria Blues" could go down as one of the most important albums in music history. The music and melodies get stuck, a touching lyrics in your head. Way to go, Laura! Highlights or Anspieltipps: Paralytic States, True Trans Soul Rebel, Black Me Out and this a very angry with the name. ;-)
Finally, a few words on artwork: I'm actually a big fan of minimalistic style. The cover looks pretty good also and above all fit, unfortunately, but leaves the booklet something to be desired. Only a small double-page spread with much too small printed texts made me initially a little burp, just Against Me! have always distinguished by at least satisfactory, identifying artworks. But that does not detract from this fantastic album, so of course full 5 stars.
