The album's title is a precursor to what the band feels is a great new move for them musically and even lyrically. While many were scared the major label influence would turn their classics sound into a processed broken record, but let me assure you, it hasn't. Far from it in fact. If anything it is now a little more clear, in it's music and message. The shouts that relay cryptic words are still around and still kick in with the signature "wake up and smell the oppression" atmosphere. The lyrics are honest and effective as they are yelled to us in anthem fashion.

   The guitars do lay down a base coat of power chord rhythm that is familiar to most punk bands, but instead of stopping there, they layer on a new section of freely waving guitars that gives it a new dimension. They do however have that definitive sound that outlines their former label Fat Wreak Chords, which consists of rank and file shouts with renegade guitars and jumpy drums. But Against Me! does have that extra flair of tricky guitar work and thick vocals that continued to surprise me as I tried to classify them. But at every turn, a more intelligent and informed view is sought after and that is a great driving force of any album.

   The title track "New Wave," is a good starting point for remarkable songs. It racing along, but not in a harsh tone, and instead jogs along with driving riffs that you can listen to while in any mood. "Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart" is a more subtle song that adds a calm female voice to a now changed shout variance from Tom to create a really quaint song that while having a soft exterior still has their classic lyrics mixed in. An interesting direction for the band.