For God and Country
Good Riddance · 1995
30 min · 12 tracks · hardcore punk
Aggressive yet melodic hardcore punk infused with introspective lyrics that challenge societal norms and personal beliefs.
Top tracks — play these first
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Flies First Class — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its rapid-fire delivery and biting critique of consumerism and apathy.
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Better — With its catchy chorus and urgent message, this song exemplifies the band's ability to blend melody with meaningful commentary on self-improvement.
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Mother Superior — This track stands out for its emotional depth, addressing themes of maternal influence and personal responsibility within a punk framework.
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October — Closing the album, this song features a more reflective tone, showcasing the band's range while highlighting the passage of time and personal growth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive punk energy with introspective lyrics, creating a distinct sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets an aggressive tone, followed by a mid-tempo song that introduces melodic elements.
- Several tracks feature dual vocal lines, alternating between harsh and clean singing, which adds dynamic contrast throughout.
- The lyrics often tackle themes of disillusionment and societal critique, with a notable shift in mood towards introspection in the latter half of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- quick, punchy listening sessions
- urgent, high-energy experiences
- short bursts of intensity
- politically charged reflections
- dynamic emotional shifts
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1995, For God and Country was Good Riddance's third studio album, following their breakthrough effort, 1994's How Could Hell Be Any Worse? This album solidified their presence in the punk scene during a time when many bands were shifting towards more commercial sounds. It marked a critical period of artistic development for the band as they honed their lyrical focus on social issues and personal struggles.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Strike Anywhere· Rise Against· Pennywise
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Better
The chorus shifts from self-doubt to an assertive declaration of change and hope.
This structural pivot transforms the song from introspection to empowerment, reinforcing the urgency of taking action.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Flies First Class 2:39
- 2 Better 2:22
- 3 All Fall Down 2:00
- 4 United Cigar 2:46
- 5 Decoy 2:46
- 6 Boys and Girls 3:00
- 7 Mother Superior 3:05
- 8 Twelve Year Circus 2:45
- 9 Man of God 1:42
- 10 Lisa 2:44
- 11 Wrong Again 2:42
- 12 October 2:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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