When Tom Gabel announced that he was to become Laura Jane Grace last year, the reaction from the wider punk community was something special. Despite Against Me! moving on from being Gabel’s acoustic punk monicker and becoming a major label signed four piece that split and expanded their fan base with more recent albums, it was far harder to find the usual kneejerk idiocy with Grace’s decision.
Of course, this did mean that the first release from this new incarnation of Against Me! was always going to garner strong interest, and with an acoustic brace, you have to feel that the band have made a fine step forward. ‘True Trans’ speaks clearly of Grace’s past, present and future, hinting at a changing voice but carrying no change in the heart and fire that’s driven Against Me! since its conception.
‘FuckMyLife666’ and ‘True Trans Soul Rebel’ would probably have both sat well on ‘White Crosses’ in full band form, but that’s not to say they feel like offshoots at all as the vibe is totally different. Both also arrive incredibly touching lyrically, and sound like they come from the voice of a liberated soul. ‘True Trans’ is a stepping stone for Against Me!’s future, and it comes across as both continuation and fresh start. Each track stands up alone regardless of whether you’ve heard the Against Me! back catalogue, but it should be an essential for anyone that’s been into the band over the years. An interesting, thought provoking and enjoyable listen.
TOM AYLOTT