Album: Recipe For Hate

Artist: Bad Religion

Release Year: 1993

Label: Atlantic

Bad Religion is: Greg Graffin (vocals), Brett Gurewitz (guitar, background vocals), Greg Hetson (guitar, background vocals), Jay Bentley (bass, background vocals), Bobby Schayer (drums)

Additional Personnel: Greg Leisz (slide guitar), Eddie Vedder (vocals)

Tracklist:

1.  Recipe for Hate (G. Graffin)

2.  Kerosene (B. Gurewitz)

3.  American Jesus (G. Graffin, B. Gurewitz)

4.  Portrait of Authority (G. Graffin)

5.  Man With a Mission (B. Gurewitz)

6.  All Good Soldiers (B. Gurewitz)

7.  Watch It Die (G. Graffin)

8.  Struck a Nerve (G. Graffin)

9.  My Poor Friend Me (G. Graffin)

10.  Lookin’ In (G. Graffin)

11.  Don’t Pray on Me (B. Gurewitz)

12.  Modern Day Catastrophists (G. Graffin)

13.  Skyscraper (B. Gurewitz)

14.  Stealth (B. Gurewitz, J. Bentley, B. Schayer)

 

Overall:

 

This was Bad Religion’s second album on Atlantic, following the release of Stranger than Fiction.  It also contains what fans voted as their best song, “American Jesus”.  But more on that later.  Many people consider this one of their worst albums, based solely on the fact that it was released on a major label.  However, listening to the actual music will tell you that this is Bad Religion as usual.

 

Lyrics:

 

Lyrically, it’s just another solid album from Bad Religion.  “Recipe for Hate” talks about the way history is taught, and how it almost forces people to hate certain people.  “American Jesus” deals with the American idea that the US is better than every other country out there.  “Portrait of Authority” is a rebel’s song, plain and simple.  “Watch It Die” deals with the fact that mankind is killing the planet.  “Struck a Nerve” is probably the quintessential song on the album - it’s what a punk song is supposed to be, dealing with the problems faced by people every day.  All in all, it’s another spectacular lyrical effort from Bad Religion.

 

Music: