Authority Zero Bring Punk Rock Back to a Post-Pandemic World

4.4 out of 5 stars

Authority Zero has always been a band that I thought sounded great, but for some reason, I just never got that deep into their music. In fact, I had no idea that they were still making music. I kinda lost track of them over the last 10 or so years.

So, color me surprised to find out that not only did they have a new album out this year, but then combine that with the fact that it is actually pretty good. Well, I guess I have some more albums to go back and listen to in their catalog.

The new album titled Ollie Ollie Oxen Free is definitely an album that will have you feeling like you are listening to the late 90’s / early 2000’s punk scene. I would compare it to a mix of Green Day, Bad Religion, and toss in a little bit of Dirty Heads (as some of the songs on the album are a bit more ska / reggae).

I think “The Back Nine” is definitely the best song on the album even though the song makes me feel old by referencing “the back nine” being the second half of one’s life...which is something I am also facing personally by turning 40 later this year.

The songs “Fully Operational” and “A New Day” have a lot more ska-punk sounds in them, and I could easily see either of them being played on the radio with lots of rotation though I don’t know that I have ever heard an Authority Zero song on the radio. So, I am not sure this album will create too many radio singles.

I think one of the coolest things about this album is that they brought out punk pioneer Jim Lindberg (from the band Pennywise) to feature on the song “Don’t Tear Me Down” which is a fast paced and fun song to listen to.

If you haven’t heard of Authority Zero before, this would be a good album to listen to. Also, if you know of them and just never gotten into them (a lot like me), then I would recommend this album for sure. 

I am sure true fans are going to have their opinions one way or the other, but I think this album is a lot of fun to listen to.