I've been looking forward to a new Bad Religion album since my first listening of The Empire Strikes First in 2004, what I thought a mediocre release. That album had a strange feeling about it—a tangy, acerbic, robotic characteristic that I can't name. I didn't hate the CD, but was disappointed.

I suppose the best thing I can say about New Maps of Hell is that I'm less disappointed. It's not due to be released until July 10, but I just heard it for the first time. There are sixteen tracks, seven of which I genuinely like, five I'm indifferent toward, three I dislike, and one, The Prodigal Son, I hate. Heroes & Martyrs, New Dark Ages, and Grains of Wrath are my favorite songs.

While I'm close to the subject, let me ask a question. Why does it seem like a great majority of people adore arguing with others about their personal tastes and opinions? For example, I would give New Maps of Hell a rating of 7/10. If I were to present this opinion to a Bad Religion forum or to hardcore fans of the band in general, I would probably be trounced. Hear this: if a person disagrees with your views on matters, they are not necessarily disagreeing, opposing, or attacking you. When one kicks up a such a fuss about something they like—a band, for example—being criticized by another, one comes across as unconfident, uptight, and sometimes unintelligent. I don't care if someone likes the same things as me, and I surely don't define myself by the things I like. Teenagers are notorious for creating an identity through the bands (etc.) they supposedly like. Thankfully a lot of them evolve beyond this need.

Anyway, back to New Maps of Hell. It's an OK album in my view. Bad Religion has been my favorite band for nearly ten years, so, luckily, I have dozens of their older songs I adore.

I remember watching the first episode as a kid in 1989. I was hooked. The show was stellar for the first seven or eight years, then things changed. This is the complaint of the "old skool" fans, and I guess I find myself similar. Whatever the case presently, The Simpsons remain significant in pop culture.

I hope the movie isn't as disappointing as everyone thinks it probably will be. I'm looking forward to it.

This is me as a Simpsons character. Create your own here. C'mon, everyone's doing it.