Anti-Flag - The People or the Gun
Record Label: SideOneDummy
Release Date: June 9, 2009
Never a band to steer clear of the issues at hand, Anti-Flag release another political commentary that will humble anyone. This album does two things - it gives you amazing punk rock sound and it makes a point at the same time. Anti-flag angered many fans last year when they released Bright Lights of America, but this current album seems to be their return to basics. Am I the only one who loved Bright Lights of America? Many fans could not accept a new, mature sounding Anti-Flag. Even though this new album is more "back to basics" it is still a more grown up Anti-Flag.
Musically, this album shines above older albums such as Die For the Government and Mobilize,and the lyrics are definitely worth paying attention to. Each song has a different tone varying from total rage to a melancholy-styled harmony. The album starts off with the aggressive "Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington D.C (Sheep in Shepherd's Clothing)." This song kick-starts the album with a song that touches on a subject much feared by American artists. Religion is something few will discuss with any real criticism, but this song takes a shot at belief in itself and the idea of organized religion and ends with the line "Religion is opiate of the meek!" It's a great opener and will be the top track for many of the older fans.
The album is also quick to jump on the topic of the economy with "The Economy is suffering, Let it Die" and "You are Fired (Take this Job, Ah Fuck It)." It's a grim view on the world to say the least: "When the cities burn down, we'll all keep warm".
The music on this album is Anti-Flag at their best. Great bass lines and killer guitar hooks litter every song. "The Old Guard" is a great example, with the passion and rage of punk combined with a great bass line and well timed guitar that compliments the bass, all blended nicely with a drum line that keeps you interested. This is the norm for the album. The lyrics really work in this album. The lyrics were the major weak point of Bright Lights of America and this album fixes that nicely and are definitely the strongest point of the album.
The song "We Are The One" seems like a definite life track, with lots of "woah"s and "yeah"s and chilling backing vocals similar to Terror State Anti-Flag.
It's a great album. Get your hands on it. You won't regret it.
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