Fun fact: if you read this whole listicle and listen to all of Propagandhi’s discography today, you will be eligible for an honorary degree in Politics from Bard College. Just use coupon code FREEJOHNHINCKLEY. Ok, let’s get to the rankings of Canada’s most caustic political punks.
7. How to Clean Everything (1993)
If you’re a Propagandhi fan whose eye is now twitching with rage because I’m ranking this juvenile outing last, how’s that AARP membership working out for you? “How to Clean Everything” sounds bad. There are hardly any songs worth revisiting. This is what happens when you let teens into a recording studio.
Play It Again: “Stick the Fucking Flag up Your Goddamn Ass, You Sonofabitch”
Skip It: “I Want U 2 Vant Me”
6. Failed States (2012)
Failed States completes Propagandhi’s transformation from a snotty melodic skate punk band to a darker thrash/hardcore institution. Have you ever listened to an album, enjoyed it, but had difficulty remembering which songs were which? That happens to me with “Failed States.” A better music critic could tell you why, but you’re stuck with me, so we’re going to leave it at that.
Play It Again: “Failed States”
Skip It: “Cognitive Suicide”
5. Less Talk, More Rock (1996)
A step up from their debut, Propagandhi’s sophomore effort “Less Talk, More Rock” moves closer towards what would become their signature sound. Quite a bit more aggressive, this LP aims for fewer chuckles and garnered more boos from assholes. We here at The Hard Times can relate.
Play It Again: “…And We Thought Nation States Were a Bad Idea”
Skip It: “Anchorless”
4. Supporting Caste (2009)
Propagandhi’s most musically progressive entry in their catalog is “Supporting Caste.” The performances and production are top notch, and Chris Hannah gains mastery over his voice here. Oh shit, I started sounding like a real music critic there. Umm, suck my ass?
Play It Again: “Dear Coach’s Corner”
Skip It: “Human(e) Meat (The Flensing of Sandor Katz)”
3. Victory Lap (2017)
No band has gotten more ferocious as they’ve gotten older like Propagandhi has. “Victory Lap” is aptly titled, as it contains some of their most intricate and heavy guitar lines as well as great hooks. Maybe Propagandhi has the Benjamin Button disease? They should go get that checked out.
Play It Again: “Comply/Resist”
Skip It: “In Flagrante Delicto”
2. Today’s Empires, Tomorrow’s Ashes (2001)
I almost put this album at number 3. Then I woke up and reordered it all because I’m a different person today. “Today’s Empires, Tomorrow’s Ashes” sees the band with a more mature, more radical worldview. It doesn’t get much straightforward and pure than a song like “Fuck the Border.” Fuck it, indeed.
Play It Again: “Back to the Motor League”
Skip It: “March of the Crabs”
1. Potemkin City Limits (2005)
You know how people dunk on those columnists in the 90s who were like “I think the internet is a fad and will be gone by year’s end?” The same treatment should be applied to all the idiots who didn’t realize the genius of “Potemkin City Limits.” It contains some of the best, complex hardcore/melodic/whateverthefuck punk songs in North American history. The album opens with one of the greatest punk songs ever which is about an imagined conflict between the U.S. and Canada and escalates from there. Now blast this album and go set a business park on fire.
Play It Again: “A Speculative Fiction”
Skip It: “Cut Into the Earth”