Into the Unknown (Bad Religion album)
Into the Unknown | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 1983 | |||
Recorded | 1983 | |||
Studio | Perspective Sound, Sun Valley, California | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 32:11 | |||
Label | Epitaph | |||
Producer | ||||
Bad Religion chronology | ||||
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Into the Unknown is the second studio album by
Into the Unknown proved to be the band's most controversial release; despite favorable reviews from music critics, it was a commercial failure, and was characterized as a "misstep" by guitarist
Background and production
While on tour promoting their debut studio album
Musical style and influences
Gurewitz and the other band members were very much into
Release and reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
Alternative Rock | 7/10[12] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [13] |
The Great Rock Discography | 7/10[14] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [15] |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 3/10[16] |
Ventura County Star | B+[17] |
The Village Voice | A−[11] |
Because of the band's success, they produced more copies of this album than they had of their debut.[10] Gurewitz joked about having "[sent out] ten thousand copies and [getting] eleven thousand back."[18] The album was a commercial failure to the point that the band and Epitaph Records, their label, disbanded.[9]
Tim Yohannan, founder of punk zine Maximumrocknroll, called the album "slickly produced early ’70s wimp rock" and said that "After playing it, I hurled it out the window, into the unknown."[19] In a positive review of the album, The Village Voice critic Robert Christgau said, "I find myself moved by its anthemic ambition--and achievement."[11] John Dougan of AllMusic says that Into the Unknown is "a bit off-putting at first blush, mainly because the tempos are slower and more deliberate, and because of the use of swirling organs and pianos", while he calls it a "terrific record that was perhaps more daring than anyone realized at the time of its release."[4]
Legacy
Into the Unknown is Bad Religion's most controversial release.[20] The band broke up after the album's release, but reformed in 1985.[20] Gurewitz characterized the album as a "terrible misstep".[10] Graffin thought it sounded like the early work of R.E.M., and that it would have been received better had it been release a couple of years later.[12] Although Into the Unknown has never been officially released on CD, bootleg CDs of the album exist.[20]
Graffin recalls that the band only performed material from this album once when it was released; when Bad Religion premiered the material live, only 12 people turned out for the concert because fans learned that the band was going to bring keyboards on stage. The band then decided not to bring keyboards on tour with them and return to their
Only four songs have been played live off this album: "It's Only Over When...", "Billy Gnosis", "The Dichotomy" and "...You Give Up".
Track listing
All tracks are written by Greg Graffin, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "It's Only Over When…" | 3:36 | |
2. | "Chasing the Wild Goose" | Brett Gurewitz | 2:50 |
3. | "Billy Gnosis" | Gurewitz | 3:31 |
4. | "Time and Disregard
| 7:02
|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
5. | "The Dichotomy" | Gurewitz | 4:52 |
6. | "Million Days" | 3:47 | |
7. | "Losing Generation" | 3:37 | |
8. | "…You Give Up" | 2:55 | |
Total length: | 32:11 |
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.[21]
- Bad Religion
- Greg Graffin – lead vocals; keyboards (tracks 1, 2), synthesizer (track 3–5, 7, 8), piano (track 3, 4, 6, 8), acoustic guitar (track 4, 6), backing vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4), production
- Brett Gurewitz – electric guitars; acoustic guitar (track 2), backing vocals (track 2), production
- Paul Dedona – bass guitar
- Davy Goldman – drums; wood block (track 2)
- Technical
- Jim Mankey – engineering[22]
- Ron Russell – cover art
- Lynda Le Cons – graphic design, art direction
References
Citations
- ^ Daly (March 1, 2018). "Throwback Thursday ~ Never forget that time punk rock legends Bad Religion released a "prog rock" album and really confused everyone". K Rock 105.7. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
- ^ "Bad Religion's Prog Record - Into The Unknown". Peace & Rhythm. January 27, 2017.
- ^ Roche, Jason (November 25, 2013). "The Bad Religion Album Everyone Hated". LA Weekly.
- ^ a b c d Dougan, John. "Into the Unknown - Bad Religion | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ a b Gamboa, Glenn (March 30, 2010). "Interview with Brian Baker, a Member of the Best Teen-Punk Band Ever and the Greatest 40-Something Punk Band Ever". Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ Rolling Stone Staff (September 17, 2014). "100 Best Singles of 1984: Pop's Greatest Year". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
...Bad Religion's soon-disowned powerpop bubbleprog masterwork Into the Unknown...
- The Los Angeles Times(Calendar). p. 93.
Bad Religion's new LP, "Into the Unknown", has just been released on Epitaph Records.
- AMG. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Thompson 2000, p. 168
- ^ a b c d e f g "Into The Unknown". Bad Religion | New Album 'Age of Unreason'.
- ^ a b c Christgau, Robert (December 27, 1983). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 11, 2024 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ a b c Thompson 2000, p. 170
- ISBN 978-0857125958.
- ISBN 9781841956152.
- ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
- ^ Locey, Bill (December 25, 1983). "Rock 'N Roll Call". Ventura County Star (Vista). p. 30.
- ^ Brett Gurewitz (2002). Punk-O-Rama DVD Volume 1 (DVD). Epitaph Records.
- Maximumrocknroll. No. 9. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f The Bear (October 27, 2010). "Album Review: Bad Religion – "Into the Unknown"". Big Smile Magazine. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ Into the Unknown (Media notes). Bad Religion. Epitaph. 1983.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Bad Religion - Into The Unknown". Discogs.
Sources
- ISBN 0-87930-607-6.