White Crosses (album)
{{Short description|2010 studio album by Against Me!}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox album
| name = White Crosses
| type = studio
| artist = Against Me!
| cover = Against Me! - White Crosses cover.jpg
| alt =
| recorded = August–October 2009
| venue =
| studio = Eldorado Recording, Burbank, California
| genre = {{hlist|Punk rock|power pop|arena rock}}
| length = 36:06
| label = Sire, Total Treble (Reissue)
| producer = Butch Vig, Alan Moulder (mixer){{Discogs release|r2322679}}
| prev_title = The Original Cowboy
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = Total Clarity
| next_year = 2011
| misc = {{Singles
| name = White Crosses
| type = Studio
| single1 = I Was a Teenage Anarchist
| single1date = April 6, 2010
| single2 = White Crosses
| single2date = August 31, 2010
| single3 = High Pressure Low
| single3date = December 21, 2010
}}
}}
White Crosses is Against Me!'s fifth studio album, and their second to be released on Sire Records. As with its predecessor, 2007's New Wave, the album was produced by Butch Vig.{{cite web |last=Apar |first=Corey |title=Review: Against Me! - White Crosses |publisher=Allmusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0001990923|pure_url=yes}} |accessdate=April 3, 2020}} It is also the only Against Me! album to feature George Rebelo, drummer of Hot Water Music, following the departure of previous drummer Warren Oakes.
Recording began in August 2009, finishing two months later. The mixing and mastering of the album finished in February 2010, and it was released June 8. The initial pressing of the record included four bonus tracks.{{cite web |author1=Clint |title=White Crosses: Your Thoughts |url=http://www.againstmeforum.com/t3830p330-white-crosses-your-thoughts#132501 |website=Against Me! Forum |accessdate=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707093031/http://www.againstmeforum.com/t3830p330-white-crosses-your-thoughts#132501 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |page=23 |date=Mar 20, 2010 |url-status=dead}} This is also the last album prior to Laura Jane Grace's transition.
On March 17, 2010, their first video from the album, "Rapid Decompression," was released online via AOL Spinner.{{cite web |author1=Admin |title=Video premier for Rapid Decompression/Lots of new dates announced |url=http://againstme.net/news/9841 |website=Against Me.net |accessdate=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917180315/http://againstme.net/news/9841 |archive-date=September 17, 2010 |date=March 17, 2010 |url-status=dead}} A four-track digital EP for "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" was released as the first single from the album, on April 7, 2010.{{cite web |author1=Kiel |title=Surprise! |url=http://againstme.net/news/10731 |website=Against Me.net |accessdate=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917180614/http://againstme.net/news/10731 |archive-date=September 17, 2010 |date=April 7, 2010 |url-status=dead}}
The two outtakes from the White Crosses sessions are "David Johansen's Soul",{{cite web |last1=Grace |first1=Laura Jane |author-link1=Laura Jane Grace |title=Making Of White Crosses Pt. 9 |url=http://ifeelsicktomystomach.blogspot.com//2011/09/making-of-white-crosses-pt-9.html |website=I feel sick to my stomach |publisher=Blogspot |accessdate=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528045628/http://ifeelsicktomystomach.blogspot.com//2011/09/making-of-white-crosses-pt-9.html |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |date=September 21, 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/DetailView.aspx?detail=titleid&keyid=11259101&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&blnAltTitles=True|title=DAVID JOHANSEN S SOUL |website=BMI - Repertoire Search |accessdate=April 3, 2020}} of which an acoustic version was released on Black Crosses, and "Dead Generations",{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/DetailView.aspx?detail=titleid&keyid=11259103&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&blnAltTitles=True|title=DEAD GENERATIONS |website=BMI - Repertoire Search|accessdate=April 3, 2020}} which remains{{As of?|date=April 2020}} unreleased in any form.
Reception
{{Music ratings
| MC = 77/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/white-crosses/against-me! |title=White Crosses by Against Me!|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=September 25, 2016}}
| rev1 = AbsolutePunk
| rev2 = AllMusic
| rev2Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}
| rev3 = The A.V. Club
| rev4 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev4Score = B+{{cite magazine |last1=Pastorek |first1=Whitney |title=White Crosses |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/05/26/white-crosses |accessdate=April 3, 2020 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 26, 2010 |language=EN |quote=…whaddaya know, it is possible to merrily sing along with lines like 'We were bashing our brains out on a kitchen cabinet.'}}
| rev5 = LAS Magazine
| rev6 = PopMatters
| rev6Score = 7/10{{cite news |last1=Conaton |first1=Chris |title=Against Me!: White Crosses |url=https://www.popmatters.com/125650-against-me-white-crosses-2496193494.html |accessdate=3 April 2020 |work=PopMatters |date=1 June 2010 |quote=White Crosses is a huge, mainstream rock album that draws as much from Bruce Springsteen and U2 as it does from Against Me!'s own folk-punk roots. Sorry, bitter old-school fans, but it's really, really good.}}
| rev7 = Punknews.org
| rev8 = Slant Magazine
| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news |last1=Cole |first1=Matthew |title=Review: Against Me!, White Crosses |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/against-me-white-crosses/ |accessdate=3 April 2020 |work=Slant Magazine |date=June 7, 2010 |quote=They’re vets now, but they’re still an evolving band that’s yet to figure out anything as big as the world or as small as their own sound. And they’re probably better for it.}}
| rev9 = Spin
| rev9Score = 7/10{{cite news |last1=Kandell |first1=Steve |title=Review: Against Me!, 'White Crosses' (Sire) |url=https://www.spin.com/2010/05/against-me-white-crosses-sire/ |accessdate=3 April 2020 |work=Spin |date=24 May 2010}}
}}
White Crosses received generally favorable critical reception, despite being leaked three months before its retail release date.{{cite news |author1=Chart Attack |title=Against Me! Actually Were Teenage Anarchists |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/2010/06/22/against-me-actually-were-teenage-anarchists/ |accessdate=3 April 2020 |work=Chart Attack |date=June 22, 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153331/http://www.chartattack.com/news/2010/06/22/against-me-actually-were-teenage-anarchists/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014}} The album was mainly praised for its success in merging Against Me!'s long-time punk rock style with, according to critics, a newfound ethos of "arena-" or "radio rock", through its melody and "big" sound.{{cite news |last1=Mincher |first1=Chris |title=Against Me!: White Crosses |url=https://www.avclub.com/against-me-white-crosses-1798165126 |access-date=3 April 2020 |work=The A.V. Club |date=June 8, 2010 |language=en-us |quote=Diehards in the punk scene won’t like it specifically because it’s meant to be inclusive, but based purely on music and message, New Wave and White Crosses prove that powerful albums don’t have to sidestep the mainstream.}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing = Laura Jane Grace
| total_length = 36:06
| title1 = White Crosses
| length1 = 3:36
| title2 = I Was a Teenage Anarchist
| length2 = 3:15
| title3 = Because of the Shame
| length3 = 4:21
| title4 = Suffocation
| length4 = 3:56
| title5 = We're Breaking Up
| length5 = 3:57
| title6 = High Pressure Low
| length6 = 4:13
| title7 = Ache with Me
| length7 = 3:38
| title8 = Spanish Moss
| length8 = 3:51
| title9 = Rapid Decompression
| length9 = 1:46
| title10 = Bamboo Bones
| length10 = 3:35
}}
=Bonus tracks=
{{Track listing
| headline = Limited edition
| total_length = 50:10
| title11 = One by One
| length11 = 3:34
| title12 = Bob Dylan Dream
| length12 = 2:59
| title13 = Lehigh Acres
| length13 = 3:33
| title14 = Bitter Divisions
| length14 = 4:02
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Re-issue
| total_length = 50:10
| title11 = Lehigh Acres
| length11 = 3:33
| title12 = Bob Dylan Dream
| length12 = 2:59
| title13 = One by One
| length13 = 3:34
| title14 = Bitter Divisions
| length14 = 4:02
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = iTunes Deluxe edition
| total_length = 53:48
| title15 = I Was a Teenage Anarchist
| note15 = acoustic
| length15 = 3:38
}}
''Black Crosses''
{{Infobox album
| name = Black Crosses
| type = demo
| artist = Against Me!
| cover = Against Me! - Black Crosses cover.jpg
| alt =
| released = July 26, 2011
| recorded = 2009, Goldentone Studios, Gainesville, Florida
February 2010, Crescendo Studios
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Punk rock, alternative rock
| length = 43:07
| label = Total Treble, Xtra Mile Recordings
| producer = Against Me!
| prev_title = Total Clarity
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = Transgender Dysphoria Blues
| next_year = 2014
}}
In 2011 Against Me! launched their own record label, Total Treble Music, reissuing White Crosses with an added disc titled Black Crosses consisting of demos from 2009 (referred to as the Goldentone Studio versions) and acoustic sessions from 2010. The reissue features original artwork by Steak Mtn and a 32-page booklet with lyrics and additional artwork, and was released July 26, 2011, on compact disc and as a music download, and August 9 as a triple LP;{{cite web |title="WHITE CROSSES" RE-ISSUE |url=http://www.againstme.net/news/37161 |website=AgainstMe.net |accessdate=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630122343/http://www.againstme.net/news/37161 |archive-date=June 30, 2011 |date=June 20, 2011 |url-status=dead}} it became available in the UK and Europe in November from the band's UK label Xtra Mile Recordings.{{cite web |title=WHITE CROSSES UK & EUROPE RELEASE |url=http://againstme.net/post/12165870569/white-crosses-uk-europe-release |website=AgainstMe.net |accessdate=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125121247/http://againstme.net/post/12165870569/white-crosses-uk-europe-release |archive-date=November 25, 2011 |date=November 2011 |url-status=dead}}
=Track listing=
{{Track listing
| headline = Black Crosses{{Discogs release|r3762419}}
| total_length = 43:07
| all_writing = Laura Jane Grace
| title1 = White Crosses
| length1 = 3:14
| note1 = Goldentone
| title2 = I Was a Teenage Anarchist
| note2 = acoustic
| length2 = 3:39
| title3 = Because of the Shame
| note3 = acoustic
| length3 = 4:28
| title4 = "The Western World"
| note4 = Goldentone; Demo version of "Suffocation"
| length4 = 3:55
| title5 = Strip Mall Parking Lots
| length5 = 2:21
| note5 = Goldentone
| title6 = High Pressure Low
| note6 = acoustic
| length6 = 4:18
| title7 = "Hot Shots"
| length7 = 1:49
| title8 = Spanish Moss
| length8 = 2:22
| note8 = Goldentone
| title9 = Rapid Decompression
| length9 = 1:45
| note9 = Goldentone
| title10 = Soul Surrender
| length10 = 2:06
| note10 = Goldentone
| title11 = Lehigh Acres
| length11 = 3:36
| note11 = Goldentone
| title12 = David Johansen's Soul
| note12 = acoustic
| length12 = 2:49
| title13 = One by One
| note13 = acoustic
| length13 = 3:35
| title14 = Bitter Divisions
| length14 = 3:10
| note14 = Goldentone
}}
Charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align: center;" |
| Chart (2010)
! Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Billboard200|34|artist=Against Me!|accessdate=3 August 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{album chart|Germany|87|artist=Against Me!|accessdate=3 August 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{album chart|Greece|23|artist=Against Me!|accessdate=3 August 2015|rowheader=true}} |
Personnel
{{cite AV media notes |title=White Crosses |others=Against Me! |year=2010 |type=CD booklet |publisher=Sire Records |id=SIRE 524438-2 |location=New York City}}{{cite AV media notes |title=White Crosses/Black Crosses |others=Against Me! |year=2011 |type=CD booklet |publisher=Total Treble Music |id=TTM 001 }}
=Band=
- Laura Jane Grace – lead vocals, guitar
- James Bowman – guitar, backing vocals
- Andrew Seward – bass guitar, backing vocals
- George Rebelo – drums, backing vocals
- Warren Oakes – drums, backing vocals on Black Crosses (tracks 1, 4–5, 7–11, 14)
=Additional musicians=
- Zac Rae – additional keyboards on White Crosses (tracks 3, 5)
- Jon Gaunt – fiddle on White Crosses (track 12), Black Crosses (track 7)
- Ron McGregor – mouth harp on White Crosses (track 12)
=Production=
- Butch Vig – producer
- Billy Bush – recording engineer
- Chris Steffen – assistant engineer
- Alan Moulder – mix engineer
- Darren Lawson – mix assistant
- Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta – mastering
=Art and design=
- Christopher Norris and Laura Jane Grace – art direction
- Steak Mtn – design, typography, and illustration
- Autumn deWilde – band photography