Pittsburgh punk rockers Anti-Flag have been around for well over a decade now. They are about to unleash their 10th studio album The People Or the Gun (out June 9th).
The band have never been ones to shy away from social and political commentary. That certainly doesn't change on the new record. Of course, with every band's favorite (many would argue easy) target George W. Bush gone, the message seems a little less urgent and the criticisms a little less scathing.
Thankfully, one doesn't have to agree with Anti-Flag's radical political agenda to appreciate their energy and hooks. It's undeniable that they make blistering yet catchy punk rock anthems.
There is the occasional hardcore mess, like the atonal "You Are Fired (Take This Job, Ah, Fuck It)". But most of the tracks, no matter how fast they're played, manage to hold on to their melodic base.
The real disappointment here is the length of the album. Yes, most punk songs are incredibly short. That's why most band's will give us 16, 17, 18, 19 tracks to make up for it. Anti-Flag are giving us a bare minimum of 10 plus a hidden track. By the time it's all over the band is just getting warmed up.
Anti-Flag play Toronto on July 10th as part of the Vans Warped Tour.
Best tracks: "The Economy Is Suffering...Let It Die", "The Old Guard"
Track listing for The People Or the Gun:
- Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington DC
- The Economy Is Suffering...Let It Die
- The Gre(A)t Depression
- We Are the One
- You Are Fired (Take This Job, Ah, Fuck It)
- This Is the First Night
- No War Without Warriors (How Do You Sleep?)
- When All the Lights Go Out
- On Independence Day
- The Old Guard
7.0/10
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