Explosives and the Will to Use Them
Crime in Stereo · 2004
28 min · 12 tracks · punk rock
Frenetic punk energy collides with sharp lyrical wit, creating an unfiltered commentary on youth and societal absurdities.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Amsterdamned! — This opening track sets the tone with its relentless tempo and biting commentary on modern life, encapsulating the band's punk ethos right from the start.
-
→
Warning: Perfect Sideburns Do Not Make You Dangerous — The track cleverly critiques superficial masculinity in punk culture, delivering both humor and social commentary through its punchy delivery.
-
→
No Gold Stars for Nationalism — In just over a minute, this song tackles nationalism with a fierce urgency, showcasing the band's ability to distill complex themes into concise punk anthems.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases energetic punk compositions with sharp lyrics, though it may not have lasting appeal beyond its initial impact.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a frenetic tone, maintaining high energy through the first half before slowing down slightly in the latter tracks.
- Lyrical themes of youth and societal absurdities are presented with sharp wit, often using conversational phrasing that engages the listener directly.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- brief energetic bursts of intensity
- youthful angst and disillusionment
- for late-night drives
- sing-along anthems with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, lengthy compositions
- need polished, radio-friendly sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2004, 'Explosives and the Will to Use Them' is Crime in Stereo's second album, following their debut 'Crime in Stereo Is Dead'. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their identity within the punk rock scene, blending melodic elements with incisive lyrics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pianos Become the Teeth· La Dispute· Tigers Jaw
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Amsterdamned! 2:06
- 2 Warning: Perfect Sideburns Do Not Make You Dangerous 2:32
- 3 Play It Loud Fuckers 2:55
- 4 What a Strange Turn of Events 2:11
- 5 Compass and Square 2:03
- 6 If You Think We’re Talking About You, We Are 2:03
- 7 Barfight on Bedford Ave. 1:51
- 8 It Ain’t All Hugs and Handshakes 2:29
- 9 Here’s to Things Gone Wrong 2:57
- 10 No Gold Stars for Nationalism 1:03
- 11 Terribly Softly 2:01
- 12 Arson at 563 4:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.