Fugazi releases its 'best
album yet'
 By
Alicia Swan
Staff Writer
At a time when some of the most avid fans were
convinced the men of Fugazi had gone their own ways, the band returns
with quite possibly its best album yet.
If being unknown makes a band great, then Fugazi
might be one of the best bands of all time. Few have heard of the band
or have listened to one of the band's songs on the radio, and even fewer
have seen them in concert.
Unlike other groups who commercialize at the first
sign of popularity, the 13-year-old band Fugazi still only charges $5
at the door of its shows and $10 for CDs. It also avoids mainstream
outlets.
With followers such as Sunny Day Real Estate, Make-Up,
The Promise Ring and The Get Up Kids, Fugazi hardly needs to assert
its musical superiority with material things.
Unlike other post-punk American hardcore bands
such as Rage Against the Machine, Fugazi is undeniably intelligent and
earnest.
Instead of cashing in, the men of Fugazi surround
themselves with an air of mystery and folklore that is based on their
modesty and pragmatism, which are rare in performers these days.
Members are pursuing separate avenues of interest.
Guy Picciotto is exploring filmmaking, Joe Lally has started his own
record label, and Ian MacKaye operates the record label that Fugazi
works under. Both Picciotto and MacKaye have been helping other bands
produce music.
As if all this weren't enough, Fugazi released
its sixth full-length album, "The Argument," a short two years after
"Instrument," the band's documentary about itself that it worked on
for several years.
"The Argument" explores new ground and finds the
hard-hitting band with a couple more soft spots.
The track "Strangelight" finds the band dabbling
with the piano and softer, more melodic songs. The same message the
members previously delivered via screaming lyrics and ear-shattering
guitars is just as conveyed through their newly discovered softer side.
They also stay in touch with the musical genius
that made them great from their start. "Cashout" is classic Fugazi with
brilliantly crafted guitar and screaming chorus that touches the heart.
The most amazing song is the title track "Argument,"
in which the band reliably provides its clear and epic guitar chords
minus the sometimes ear-splitting vocals. In place of those is the same
voice singing that is just as beautiful and has just as thoughtful lyrics.
"Argument" is easily one of the best tracks by
Fugazi to date. It combines everything that is great about Fugazi —
the orchestration of the songs and gripping lyrics such as "When did
a difference/ become a disease."
Fugazi has always been about four or five steps
ahead, and with "The Argument," the band shoots forward another dozen
paces.
After all that Fugazi has achieved in the past,
it is astounding to know that after 13 years, the group is still progressing
with incredible acceleration.
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