Now this is how you make a punk album! Anti-flag received a lot of flack about joining with a major record label on their last release (For Blood & Empire), but all doubts should be forgiven with their newest album The Bright Lights Of America.
This powerful record has plenty of heavy hitting numbers and rousing sing along choruses that will have the blood pumping and the fists raised in the air. Chris Head (guitar), Chris # 2 (bass/vocals), Pat Thetic (drums) and Justine Sane (lead vocals/guitar) all get their moment to shine with plenty of short guitar & drums solo’s that reveal a tight knit band in top form. The introduction of wood block, harmonica, trumpet, piano, violin and some choral backing vocals also contribute towards Anti-flags most diverse sounding album yet.
With tracks like We Are The Lost, Vices and The Modern Rome Burning you know you’re in for a lot of political charged and recalcitrant songs. While previous Anti-flag albums have often overemphasized this message, this time around the band step off their soapbox & replace the preaching with righteous anger and protest inspiring vibes. However unlike some bands (I’m looking at you Fallout Boy), Anti-flag can hardly be accused of jumping on the activist bandwagon since they’ve always worn their hearts on their sleeves. They’ve also been involved in a number of goodwill charities over the years and have recently released a benefit album for victims of violent crimes after Chris #2′s sister was murdered.
This seamlessly flowing record has the rare quality of being a good listen from start to finish with no weak or boring tracks that you’ll need to skip through. A lot of the songs do overplay the chorus aspect, but when they stick in your head this effectively, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The only other downside to the album is Justine’s vocals. Even though he’s improved remarkably from earlier years, I still wouldn’t say that the singing is fantastic (after all this is punk music), but it does convey a message of frustration and anger aimed towards the current state of America.
Overall, The Bright Lights of America is how great punk rock music should sound. Fun, fast, aggressive and with something important to say. While it probably won’t appease those thought their last album was too commercial, it’s a great starting point for those looking to get into their music. I think Pat summed it up best in a recent interview, “We’ve got to do what’s interesting to us. People were saying you’re a punk rock band, if you do this people aren’t going to like you. Fuck ‘em, we don’t care.”
Overall Rating: 85/100 pennies
Highlight Tracks
Good & Ready: This song serves as a perfect introduction to the rest of the album and starts with an acoustic guitar which quickly gives way to the energetic chorus, “You’ll get your’s when your good & ready”. This song has a great anthem quality with plenty of shout along moments and fantastic bass work throughout. A hint of a triangle leads into a major breakdown with bell chimes, some more acoustic and support vocals from a children’s choir.
The Bright Lights Of America: The catchy chorus, pop punk chords and hand claps make this one an ideal candidate for a single. The upbeat harmony and memorable hooks are contrasted with a bleak message of frustration “There are whole houses full, of fucked up kids like you and me, can’t find a way”.
Vices: A song written by Chris #2, to exercise his past demons. “The son of a full time working mother and a molester for a father who lives in the prison for home” “I’m so fucking sick of being ashamed of my own flesh”. More choral work, a mournful piano section and a slow pace give this song an cathartic feel that also serves as a moving eulogy to his sexually abused and murdered sister.
If You Wanna Steal: A fantastic track with resonating guitars and plenty of high hat action reminiscent of the arctic monkeys, but with an extra dose of anger to complement it’s anti-capitalistic message. The drumming, guitars and lyrics meld perfectly into an infectious dance beat melody that has become my favorite song on the album.
No Warning: A count in leads into a song about apathy and being influenced by public opinion. The rumbling drums and crashing cymbal work are the real highlights of the track and give it a vibrant angry beat. A chaotic clanging of sirens and an echo of “Hey’s” make you stand up and take notice, ” This is critical mass destruction”.
Spit In Your Face: This vehement track begins with a gritty and brief piano section that is shattered with thunderous drumming and guitar shredding. The rapid fire riffs then grab you by the neck and spin you around with some hard hitting vocals. This breakneck tempo is relentlessly continued for 4 minutes until it’s partially slowed down by a guitar solo and more piano work. The caustic message about greed should appeal to old school fans as it sounds similar to material (Drink, Drank Punk) on their first release Die For The Government.
We Are The Lost: This epic track brings down the pace with some string work and another chorus anthem supported by a trumpet. This one should appeal to the disenfranchised and lonely with lyrics like “Each station filled with static. Broadcasting nothing but noise”.
The Smartest Bomb: An anti war song that hits the mark without retreading on old ground. “You’re so disposable, real life video game. Sit down-line up-knuckle down-shut up”. Roaring vocals, bell chimes and a staccato beat drive the chorus home ” They won’t miss you when you’re gone, when your heart stops beating and pumping blood”.
Shadows Of The Dead: Starts with a foreboding bass solo which leads into trumpet blasts and gunfire guitar strings. At the 2 minute mark the instruments cut out and Justine’s monotone voice carries the chorus “As I walk through the valley in the shadow of the dead, will you remember them?”. While the message isn’t as striking as previous songs, the tempo changes keep things interesting. The track ends with a foreboding cello that segues perfectly into the final track.
The Ink & Quill (Be Afraid): Continues the war theme from the last two songs and indicts greedy corporations who benefit from the suffering of others. This song shares similarities with the opening track and contains stirring verses complemented with interesting riffs and powerful drumming. Lightning crashes, a marching drumbeat and the return of the children’s choir at the half way point herald the apocalyptic ending “Be afraid, be afraid… be very afraid of the coming nightmare”.
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