TSOL have been around the block a bit. Forming in the late seventies, the band went through various incarnations and style changes until the original line-up reformed in 1999. (Minus of course the sadly departed Todd Barnes.) In 2001 they released their first album together for a decade, ‘Disappear’, through Nitro records. ‘Divided We Stand‘ is the follow up to that album and sees the band in the best form they have been in for some time.
Back in the early eighties it was the norm for punk bands to write vitriolic, anti-government anthems. Who can forget the immortal line “President Reagan can shove it!†from the song ‘Superficial Love’? Now the US has a president who is an even better target for political comment, and most punk bands are playing it safe. Not TSOL. The band have come full-circle. Gone are the pantomime and rock and roll stylings of later versions of the band, and back are the biting social and political comments of old. But ‘Divided We Stand‘ is not just an album about politics; it is an album about life, showcasing the rage, doubts and loves of the band.
‘Divided We Stand‘ kicks off as it means to go on, with ‘Sedatives’. This is an honest song about addictions, and this is one band with plenty of experience on the subject. Hot on its heels is an infectious track entitled ‘Serious’ that tackles the subject of political apathy. The key factor with TSOL this time around is that they have managed to combine strong music with strong lyrics. Nowhere is this showcased more aptly than on ‘See you tomorrow’, one of the definite standout tracks from an album full of good material. Here music and message merge to devastating effect: “Policies of death begin, Your children suffer for your sins, Ignorance and open hate, We reap the seed that we create.â€
The United States of America itself comes under attack in the wonderfully satirical ‘America’. However, as I’ve said, this is not just an album about politics. Grisham’s song writing also takes in a number of human emotions, particularly love. ‘Loaded’ is a slower, more emotional song, and features the great line “You’re a symphony of sweet pain and prideâ€. More great tracks arrive in the form of the anthemic ‘Undressed’ and the bitter sweet ‘Being in Love’, both chocked full of big riffs and pounding drumbeats.
There is no question that TSOL have produced some of their best material in years on ‘Divided We Stand‘. They are a band that have influenced many of their predecessors over the years, but here they prove they are still as relevant as anybody who has followed in their footsteps.
Mark