The Argument saw Fugazi continue to expand upon the more experimental art punk leanings of Red Medicine and End Hits while also heavily incorporating other instruments, such as piano and cello into their sound.

It also talks about a greater argument: that these giant airplanes are dropping tons of homicidal weaponry, blowing the shit out of everybody, and guys are running around with guns.

Each member brought their own individual riffs and ideas to the band, jam on them, and then begin piecing the songs together into various configurations before deciding on what became the final versions.

When asked about this process, and the track "Epic Problem" in particular, singer/guitarist Guy Picciotto explained to Pitchfork Media in 2002 "This time, for some reason, we just came up with a new idea for it.

[8] The album's recording sessions took place between January and April 2001 at Inner Ear Studios and Dischord House in Arlington, Virginia, west of Washington D.C.

[5] The album's cover features a photographic illustration composed of two tightly cropped images of what appears to be a bronze relief plaque: two arms of justice extended in opposite directions, one with a torch in-hand and the other empty.

The CD insert has two silver folds that open to reveal a booklet which includes a picture of a plaque memorializing Kent State shooting victim Sandra Lee Scheuer, with her name and the date of her death; May 4, 1970 engraved upon it.

Arion Berger of Rolling Stone called it "bracing" and "intellectual",[16] while Chris True of AllMusic referred to the album as "ear-shattering and spine-tingling at once" and stated that "the band has raised the bar for themselves and others once again."

[...] Only after repeat listens does the album emerge as a definitive statement alongside Daydream Nation, Zen Arcade, or Kid A. Weird, wonky and wonderful, The Argument is Fugazi's masterpiece.

"[33] In an op-ed on the band, Alternative Press wrote that "[t]heir last (not final; remember they’re on hiatus) album [...] found Fugazi as vital, relevant and tuneful than ever.

Fugazi Additional musicians Production The Argument won the A2IM (American Association of Independent Music) award for Best Rock Album.