Is The Dissent of Man a good place to start with Bad Religion?

Yes, The Dissent of Man is recommended as a starting point for new Bad Religion listeners. Punk rock anthems collide with reflective lyrics, showcasing a blend of urgency and introspection characteristic of Bad Religion's mature sound. The Dissent of Man marks Bad Religion's fourteenth studio album, released in 2007 after their 2004 effort, The Empire Strikes First. At this point in their career, the band was experiencing a resurgence in popularity, leaning into their established melodic hardcore style while addressing contemporary social issues. This album served as a reaffirmation of their enduring relevance in the punk scene.

Who is The Dissent of Man for?

The Dissent of Man works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective energy, thought-provoking lyrics for engagement and short tracks for quick bursts.

How many songs are on The Dissent of Man?

The Dissent of Man has 15 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

The Dissent of Man

Bad Religion · 2007

43 min · 15 tracks · punk rock

Punk rock anthems collide with reflective lyrics, showcasing a blend of urgency and introspection characteristic of Bad Religion's mature sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Day That the Earth Stalled Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its urgent tempo and scathing commentary on environmental issues, establishing the thematic framework for the entire album.
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Someone to Believe — A contemplative anthem that explores themes of disillusionment and searching for truth, it showcases the band's trademark ability to blend melody with introspective lyrics.
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Ad Hominem — This track delivers sharp socio-political critiques through its aggressive sound and incisive lyrics, reflecting Bad Religion's role as provocateurs within the punk genre.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album combines energetic punk with introspective lyrics, showcasing Bad Religion's established style.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a fast tempo with aggressive guitar riffs, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more reflective pace.
Several songs feature complex vocal harmonies that intertwine with the instrumentation, creating a layered sound.
The album includes recurring themes of social critique and personal reflection, evident in the lyrics across multiple tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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

steady mid-tempo reflective energy
thought-provoking lyrics for engagement
short tracks for quick bursts
melodic undertones with raw intensity

Maybe skip if you

seekers of slow, sounds
prefer lengthy, sprawling compositions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in punk after many albums.
Themes: environmental neglect· societal expectations· toxic relationships
Moods: Energetic· Aggressive
Career context: The Dissent of Man marks Bad Religion's fourteenth studio album, released in 2007 after their 2004 effort, The Empire Strikes First. At this point in their career, the band was experiencing a resurgence in popularity, leaning into their established melodic hardcore style while addressing contemporary social issues. This album served as a reaffirmation of their enduring relevance in the punk scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Descendents· NOFX· Pennywise