Doubtlessly the band’s hardest hitting effort to date, 'Based On A True Story' easily meets the high quality of its predecessor and offers tons of soon-to-be-classic hardcore hymns like 'Dominated', 'Long As She’s Standing', 'The Divide' and 'Lowest Common Denominator. It features the most catchy and powerful material the band has ever written. It’s astonishing to see the band still boiling with rage at a world gone wrong and successfully transforming this natural and honest aggressiveness into hardcore hits. Two decades of experience as skilful songwriters, endless touring, plus an undying hardcore spirit make SICK OF IT ALL anno 2010 sound stronger and more determined than ever. 'Based On A True Story' is undeniable proof that the quartet is simply unstoppable and unrivalled within the hardcore scene in terms of quality and sheer impact.
Formed during 1986 in Queens, the band released their first self-titled EP on Revelation Records and began to accumulate a strong local following by playing famous clubs like CBGBs ('A Month Of Sundays' actually pays tribute to these glorious days at this legendary venue). Soon after, the band released their first full-length record 'Blood Sweat And No Tears' on In-Effect Records. Often revolving around politics, social injustices and life on the streets of New York, the band wore their heart on their sleeve and made no apologies, often including threads of positivity. When their second album 'Just Look Around' was released in 1992, it was a benchmark for the band and the New York hardcore scene, and kicked off their globe-trotting expansion with tours in Europe, South America and Japan. They released their breakthrough album 'Scratch The Surface' in 1994 on Atlantic, followed by the seminal album 'Built To Last' in 1997. After releasing three albums on Fat Wreck Chords, as well as a live album and a collection of rarities, the band took on the challenge to push themselves further. 'Death To Tyrants' was the band’s first cooperation with Century Media and was mixed by renowned metal producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Dark Tranquillity,) adding a refreshingly heavy edge to the band’s trademark NYHC sound. 'Death To Tyrants' was extremely well received by media and fans alike and followed up with three years of relentless touring.
The new album was also recorded with Tue Madsen, this time at Starstruck Studios in Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark, resulting in a massive metallic heaviness which increases the punch and drive of the new opus. Craig Ahead (bass) comments: “The end result of our three and a half weeks in the studio is something that we are all very proud of. An album that is pure SICK OF IT ALL and will stand up against any of our previous work and I believe raises the bar to a new standard. I hope you enjoy our offerings. We look forward to its release so we can again stomp the world. See you on tour!“ To walk the talk, the band plays a European tour with Dropkick Murphys in January/February 2010, followed by a UK run with AFI in April. More festival shows and touring activities are in the works.
'Based On A True Story' is another sonic statement that SICK OF IT ALL are an institution of hardcore. Their longevity and conviction has kept the band’s reputation untarnished and legendary. As Metal Hammer (UK) puts it: “SICK OF IT ALL – despite their ever-increasing age and fierce competition – are still the finest spokesmen for hardcore’s social conscience and values”, and this new release will allow them to maintain this leading position for many years to come!
Good Cop
Sick of It All Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The smiling face, the kind expression
Bringing hope to the demoralized
GOOD COP
Could there be a useful change
A better future
Is it just a clever power game
GOOD COP
CHANGE ISN’T IN THE AIR
JUST IN WHAT WE HEAR
Still held down, but never fear
Least the bad one’s history
The good cop is here
Working for the same old man
Doing his bidding in his interests
For his heartless plans
GOOD COP
If you’re tempted to believe
Caught up in it, drink the kool-aid
You’ll also be deceived
GOOD COP
CHANGE ISN’T IN THE AIR
JUST IN WHAT WE HEAR
Still held down, but never fear
Least the bad one’s history
The good cop is here
A ruse, a hoax, a trojan horse
It’s the old guard with a new look
They’ve made good cop man of the hour
They won’t ever let go of power
Out of the fire that came before
We’re back in the frying pan once more
In Sick of It All's song "Good Cop," the band questions the legitimacy of police officers who seem kind and understanding. They sing of the "smiling face, the kind expression" of the "good cop," who they say brings hope to those who are demoralized. However, they also wonder if this apparent helpfulness is simply a "clever power game," a way for the police to maintain their control and authority over people.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that "change isn't in the air, just in what we hear." This suggests that the positive messages and assurances of the good cop are merely words, and that the actual situation on the ground has not changed. The band also criticizes the good cop as being complicit with a corrupt system, saying that he is "working for the same old man / doing his bidding in his interests / for his heartless plans."
In the final verse, Sick of It All assert that the good cop is simply a "ruse, a hoax, a trojan horse." They accuse the "old guard" of simply giving themselves a new look, but ultimately remaining in power. The song ends with a grim sentiment, as the band states that despite past struggles, "we're back in the frying pan once more."
Line by Line Meaning
There it is
We are faced with a situation
The smiling face, the kind expression
The good cop presents a friendly facade
Bringing hope to the demoralized
Attempting to inspire and uplift those who feel disheartened
GOOD COP
The person being referred to is the good cop
Could there be a useful change
Might there be a positive transformation
A better future
A brighter tomorrow
Is it just a clever power game
Or is this merely a manipulative tactic for control
GOOD COP
The person being referred to is the good cop
CHANGE ISN’T IN THE AIR
There is no real alteration taking place
JUST IN WHAT WE HEAR
Merely in the words that we are told
Still held down, but never fear
Feeling oppressed, but don't give up hope
Least the bad one’s history
At least the previous negative authority is behind us
The good cop is here
But we now have the good cop as a new authority figure
Working for the same old man
Serving the same person with the same goals and agenda
Doing his bidding in his interests
Following his orders for his benefit
For his heartless plans
For his insensitive and uncaring schemes
GOOD COP
The person being referred to is the good cop
If you’re tempted to believe
If you're lured into accepting
Caught up in it, drink the kool-aid
Fully embracing the situation, without questioning it
You’ll also be deceived
You, too, will be misled
GOOD COP
The person being referred to is the good cop
A ruse, a hoax, a trojan horse
A trick, a deception, masked as something positive
It’s the old guard with a new look
It is the same people with the same motives, just with a different façade
They’ve made good cop man of the hour
They have positioned the good cop as the primary figure in the situation
They won’t ever let go of power
They have no intention of relinquishing control
Out of the fire that came before
We have just emerged from a difficult situation
We’re back in the frying pan once more
But now we are back in a similar, challenging situation
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.