(September 29, 2005) — Rarely am I as excited to listen to an album for the first time as I was with Searching for a Former Clarity , Against Me!’s second release on successful independent label Fat Wreck Chords, and rarely am I as surprised. Released on Sept. 6, this album makes it apparent that Against Me! is moving away from the amazing raw sound of former albums Re-inventing Axle Rose and As the Eternal Cowboy towards a more produced, clean sound. The most obvious difference is that the band has figured out how to slow down and be less aggressive, letting the strength of the new material shine through. The opening track, “Miami,” actually includes a horn section, but turns out to be one of the best tracks on the album. Other stronger tracks include “From Her Lips to God’s Ears” and “Pretty Girls.” Although many fans, myself included, would have had no problem with another Axle Rose , there’s nothing wrong with a band experimenting. In fact, it’s necessary. After all, a band that goes with the same tried and true formula album after album has no longevity. To remain relevant in music, change and development are necessary, and that’s definitely what Against Me! has done with this album. Despite these changes, the band still preserves the elements that have won them so much dedication and love. These are Tom Gabel’s strong vocals, excellent musicianship and songwriting, and most of all, the amazing passion, and fist-pumping, feet stomping, scream-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs fury in every second and every word of every song. Against Me! once again proves to be a refreshing kick to the face of what true music should be like, and anyone who has never heard one of their albums or seen them live is doing a great disservice to themselves. Searching for a Former Clarity may not be what anyone expected, but it might do what we all thought was impossible, and actually be better.