So why is Bad Religion’s How Could Hell Be Any Worse? on this best 1,000 albums ever thing?
“Latch Key Kids” is a standout track on How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, a perfect example of the band’s ability to craft socially conscious punk rock music that is both melodic and catchy as all get out.
The song’s lyrics address the issue of latch key kids (children who are often left alone after school and have to fend for themselves), painting a vivid picture of their struggles and isolation. The chorus and driving riffs make it a true punk rock anthem, and its lyrics underline the social issues Bad Religion has long been known for tackling.
“We’re Only Gonna Die” has a driving rhythm and powerful lyrics about the futility of life and the inevitability of death. The song’s opening lines set the tone for the entire album, with singer Greg Graffin declaring, “We’re only gonna die for our own arrogance.” The song’s message of anti-establishmentarianism and defiance is just as relevant today as it was in 1982.
I love the opening guitar riff on “Oligarchy” – it’s crushing and pure hardcore punk rock that blasts through its tidy minute of playing time.
Fun fact about How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, BR’s debut album released from 1982, is that it was recorded in a single day on a super shoestring budget. Despite the limited resources, Bad Religion produced a polished and powerful sound that helped establish them as one of the leading acts in the punk scene.
Pop culture stuff that has something to do with Bad Religion’s How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
Here’s some really fun stuff from Wikipedia packed into a single paragraph:
Bad Religion was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1980[16][17][18][19][20] by high school students Greg Graffin, Jay Bentley, Jay Ziskrout, and Brett Gurewitz.[19] Their first public performance was playing six[21] or eight[22] songs at a Fullerton, California,[21] or Santa Ana, California,[22] warehouse opening for Social Distortion.[21] Graffin has said that the name “Bad Religion” came about when the then-adolescent members of the band wanted to “piss people off”.[23]
I love that this legendary band formed by high school friends would go on to produce a bevy of outstanding punk rock albums over multiple decades.
And on a personal note, Fullerton, California is where my wife mostly grew up. Orange County, where it’s located, is also the home of a bunch of third-wave ska bands, including No Doubt and Reel Big Fish.
Some stats & info about Bad Religion – How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
- What kind of musical stylings does this album represent? Rock Music, Punk Rock, SoCal Bands, American Underground, Hardcore Punk
- Rolling Stone’s greatest 500 albums ranking – none!
- All Music’s rating – 3 out of 5 stars
- When How Could Hell Be Any Worse? released? 1982
- My ranking, the one you’re reading right now – #554 out of 1,000
Bad Religion’s How Could Hell Be Any Worse? on Spotify
A lyrical snippet from Bad Religion’s How Could Hell Be Any Worse? that’s evocative of the album in some way, maybe
In this world today, there ain’t nobody to thank. Just blame it on the kids and toss ‘em in the tank.
What does the “best 1,000 albums ever” mean and why are you doing this?
Yeah, I know it’s audacious, a little crazy (okay, maybe a lot cray cray), bordering on criminal nerdery.
But here’s what it’s NOT: a definitive list of the Greatest Albums of All-Time. This is 100% my own personal super biased, incredibly subjective review of what my top 1,000 albums are, ranked in painstaking order over the course of doing research for nearly a year, Rob from High Fidelity style. Find out more about why I embarked on a best 1,000 albums ever project.