Conflict - A History Of Insurgence - Singles Collection CD

A failed attempt at an epic-sounding album, which came out around the same time as The Final Conflict, Against All Odds is very depressing and not at all moving like some of their earlier records. This A-side, which is made up of just one song, the title cut, is almost a complete loss musically. It's repetitive and goes nowhere, and the only moments that rock are the few bits when Colin Jerwood sings. The B-side is better, but still weak compared to almost any other Conflict record. The only worthy tunes on Against All Odds are "Slaughter of Innocence," which is their zillionth or so song about animal rights, but a good one, "A Message to Who," a weird number which seems to be stating that love and friendship are essential to fighting the state, and the closing "A State of Mind," Conflict's first electronic dance number, which isn't half bad, but sounds very '80s. The best thing about Against All Odds is the gatefold album cover on the vinyl copy, which is covered with entertaining articles about Conflict from the mainstream press, some of them from tabloid papers, attacking the band. ~ Adam Bregman