The Shape of Punk That's Come [Conclusion]

The four albums I've brought up in this series are only examples. There are many bands out there who are finally (and thankfully) bringing social and political relevance back to the punk scene. I hope that this series has enlightened you: Behind those walls of sound are some of the greatest philosophers and poets of our generation. It would be a shame to disregard this entire genre due to a few money-hungry emo kids hiding their insincerity behind distortion pedals and bad haircuts.

#4 Thursday - Common Existence (2009)

In a similar vein as Thrice's Beggars, Thursday's Common Existence is a display of punk music with a clear social conscience. This is an album which manages to take an honest look at the hypocrisy in our society and in ourselves...

"Another folded flag to a mourning lover
He was an army of one but they'll find another
And in the fold of the body bag
Somebody check for a heart
You got friends in the armed forces
Now we know what a soldier costs
It's the cost of the rest of us"

...that's not to say that the entire album is political. Much of the lyrical content explores the all-too-common theme of love and the pain it can cause. But Thursday's approach is mature, and combined with their ever-evolving sound, this album is quite original.