The Bright Lights of America

Anti-Flag | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rca
• ASIN: B0013VSZNE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,331 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Good and Ready

2. The Bright Lights of America

3. Vices

4. The Modern Rome Burning

5. If You Wanna Steal (You Better Learn How to Lie)

6. No Warning

7. Spit in the Face

8. We Are the Lost

9. Go West

10. Smartest Bomb

11. Shadow of the Dead

12. The Ink and the Quill (Be Afraid)

Editorial Reviews

Explicit Version. Politico-punk icons Anti-Flag return in 2008 with the Bright Lights Of America, their seventh album to date and the follow-up to the critically acclaimed RCA debut For Blood And Empire. Produced by the legendary Tony Visconti, this album marks Tony's first collaboration with a punk rock artist to date. The result is Anti-Flag's most accomplished and diverse work thus far. The sound and stance of this album will shatter all expectations about Anti-Flag. In songs such as first single and title track "The Bright Lights of America" as well as "Vices" and "We Are The Lost," they cover uncharted territory, exploring themes of emotional turmoil and personal insight that will resonate with both new and old fans alike.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Different but really great, April 1, 2008

By 

A. M. Riconosciuto - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bright Lights of America (Audio CD)

I really love this album! Yes, it's a bit of a departure for Anti-Flag, but as another reviewer said, adding a piano or a harmonica doesn't make something not punk (for all you youngins, try listening to Black Randy and the Metro Squad. One of the seminal L.A. punk bands and something most young punkers today wouldn't think qualifies.)

But I digress... I actually think the same old thing all the time is pretty boring and unimaginative, so I was very happy to see Anti-Flag mixing things up. If it's boring to listen to the same old thing all the time, how boring must it be to play the same old thing all the time? From the few times I have met the guys in Anti-Flag I have been impressed with their creativity, so I'm glad they're finally giving it a chance to show.

Favorites... Bright Lights, Vices, Modern Rome Burning, Go West (LOVE this song!!!), Good and Ready, If you Wanna Steal. I actually like the entire album, and the more I listen to it, the more I like it, which is hallmark Anti-Flag. Let the complainers complain, that's what they do. If you're interested in your punk rock having something a little more going on than a four chord progression and screaming, definitely check this album out. You won't be disappointed

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Anti-Flag Completely Sold Out...!!!, April 1, 2008

By 

P. Zarcone (Asheville, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bright Lights of America (Audio CD)

No. They didn't. Not in my opinion. Is it a bit hypocritical to be on RCA and hold the politics that they do? Perhaps, but that really has nothing to do with this album. But they didn't sell out. This album is different than anything they've done before, but not really that different. Just because there is piano or harmonica or whatever the hell on a track doesn't mean it isn't punk rock. The songs are still loud and their message is still the same. People will never be satisfied and that's life. I think some people (from reading all the reviews on the web today) were really trying to find a reason to hate Anti-Flag for signing to RCA (for other than the obvious reason) and "For Blood and Empire" was too much of the same from them so people really couldn't have a valid complaint about that album.

Well they try some new stuff on this album and that apparently gave people the excuse they were looking for. Is this album great? By no means. Some of the songs are a little repetitive and blah, but some are the same as the songs on their other albums - they're fast, loud and political. I also love the Mumia intro to "The Modern Rome Burning" (just as good as his intros on Immortal Techniques albums).

I think that perhaps some of the songs would be a little better if they weren't all so long, but so be it.

This album actually reminds me a little of "Terror State"...I was kind of so-so on that one, but it certainly grew on me, as this one has since this morning and probably will continue to.

Recommended: The Bright Lights Of America, The Modern Rome Burning, Spit in the Face, Go West, Smartest Bomb, Shadow of the Dead, The Ink and the Quill and if you're REALLY looking for a reason to hate this album - Tar and Sagebrush - which will probably piss off about 92% of their fans, if the first 12 songs didn't do it. Personally, I kinda like the folksy, Woody Guthrie-ish guitar.



Edit:

Looking back, I regret this review. This album was atrocious. I mean really bad. I have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote this. Oh well, their next one was better.

5.0 out of 5 stars anti has learned from a major label. go figure, March 10, 2011

By 

Krypto oi oi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bright Lights of America (Audio CD)

its odd a band like anti flag grew the most on a major label, or is it? but you hear a lot about "sell out" and such. not many valid points are made. Fact is their message remains as political. social, and relevant as ever, the difference is that they have a major label getting the anti-flag banner to a wider audience, and change always need new eyes to open. Also, empire and bright lights are sonically and lyrically waves ahead of their predecessors, they obviously took what they learned into way of the gun. Same ideals, improved lyrics and sound, punk as hell. buy the rca records and the follow up and ignore the haters. who needs the hate anyway?