The Bright Lights of America [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Anti-Flag

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: March 25, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Rca
• ASIN: B0013VSZNE
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,473 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Legendary political punks release their finest politically and socially charged album to date. 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. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 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)

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	P. Zarcone "Propagandhi8102" (Asheville, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, enraged, melodic & smart political punk rock, May 5, 2008

By	Paul J. Escamilla "mostly water" (NYC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anti-Flag continues to impress me by releasing yet another fine album of snarling, politically-engaged punk rock. Some people don't like punk rock in general, while others don't like "political" punk. That's fine. Anti-Flag is not for them. But if you, like me, are into political punk, then you owe it to yourself to pick up this cd. I have no problem putting it right up there with the work of the best political punk bands (Clash, Crass, Dead Kennedys, Subhumans, DOA, Sex Pistols, etc).

The guitars are razor-sharp, the beats are propulsive, the vocals are sneering & passionate, and the songs are packed with great riffs, melodies and sing-along choruses (one of Anti-Flag's specialties).

(Oddly enough, I think there's a chance this album might also appeal to fans of Bright Eyes, as several songs bear a strong resemblance to that artist's more rocking tunes.)

In any case, "The Bright Lights Of America" is another success by a band that's sticking to its (artistic) guns and refusing to give in to cynicism and complacency.