Customer Reviews

Bright Lights of America

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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

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.

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?

The songs are poignant and the inclusion of orchestra, strings and choir add to the affect. An amazing album in a list of great albums.

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.

So, I would like to ask that one would not dismiss this review because the star count is low. No, I am not one of those big punk advocates that liked "Die for the Government" and none of the other CDs, yet every time this band puts out a CD I have to say how they suck and sold out even though I haven't been a fan for a decade. I am not gonna b m and c because they signed to RCA records. I don't care. It's music. (Oh, but I did like "Die for the Government," great CD)

But in this case, it's not good music. I anticipated this CD like no other 'cause I absolutely love this band, I had seen them live 3 times and own pretty much all the music they've put out. "For Blood and Empire" was an amazing CD and I thought they were going strong after 10 years. Then they put out this.

The old Anti-Flag sound is there. It is still there, but I shouldn't have to consciously LOOK for the sound of the old band. The issue here is not that they tried new stuff, like adding a bunch of new instruments at times or writing heart-felt lyrics that are not political at all, the issue is that in order to do all that they had to slow the music down. Some songs have a lot of potential, like "The Modern Rome Burning" "Smartest Bomb" and "Shadow of the Dead" but it seems like every time a song picks up and finds some energy, it just loses it again to the breakdown and becomes rather boring. Most of the songs would do very well as 2 or 3 minute ditties, but they are instead draggged on to 4 or 5 minutes and they're not all that fun to listen to.

Another thing that bothers me about all the "new ground" is that with the addition of new instruments, the old ones (like, oh, I dunno, 6 string guitar and bass) are not as potent as they used to be. Chris's basslines, which used to drive the CDs along and impress me very much, are still there, just not as frequently and they're sometimed masked by other things. Underutilized and disappointed.

Sure, this CD has grown on me. If you liked the older CDs, there's still a chance you'll like this. If I hadn't seen them live a fourth time and heard the new stuff live I never would have bought the CD, 'cause I streamed it and had the typical "It sucked, they sold out" reaction. Turns out these songs are great live, you mosh during the fast parts and then you get a breather during the breakdowns, not that you really need it. Maybe next time Anti-Flag will be able to take this "new stuff" and apply it to their signature sound that was nearly abandoned here. Until then, 2 stars.

Highlight tracks: "Bright Lights of America" "No Warning" and "Spit in the Face"

I had listened to the New CD only twice before their SF show, and liked it, a lot. It was different, and I was not sure I was as into it as other Anti-Flag albums. I then went on a two week trip, and got back in the car, listened to it twice on my drive, and it is now my favorite. It is a bit more understated, but still rocks!

I have been listening to this CD non-stop since I bought several (yes, several) copies the other day. I have always enjoyed Anti-Flag's music and I really like the new sounds that they use on this album. It's nice to see they aren't allowing themselves to be limited by the perceptions of what the punk genre is "supposed" to be, which I've always found hilarious, given that so many of those who love to hate Anti-Flag are the first to say punk is about being yourself. Uh, yeah...

This album ROCKS! It has everything I look for in a good punk album: great message, fast, loud, catchy hooks, and pushing the boundaries of punk rock. The slower and folksier tracks are brilliant, and anyone who doesn't like Tar & Sagebrush (great vocals by #2) and Go West just doesn't have any sympathy or romance in their soul. Other favorites: Vices, Good & Ready, Spit in the Face, If You Wanna Steal, Modern Rome Burning, Bright Lights. Go buy this album.

I've been a fan of AF since I was a wee 8th grader. I have every album, I've seen them every time they've been in philly (over 10 times). I'm not trying to brag, I just want to lend some perspective on my review. Anti-Flag has been my favorite band for over ten years, but now I feel let down. I was so excited for this cd. I was completely cool with them signing to RCA and I really do like For Blood and Empire. Then they had the Victims of Violent Crime ep, which was also awesome. So I figured, "hey, the next one has got to be great." Unfortunately, this is not the case.

The songs are not only overly long, they have no imagination. There are seemingly no verses in some songs. I feel like they just wrote a few chords, threw a terrible chorus over it and called it a song. "vices" looks like someone just hit copy and paste four (million) times.

We all have our vices
we all have our flaws
we all have our anger
we all have our love

There must have been a deadline or something because this album feels totally rushed. And really, I love when bands throw in new instruments and stuff, but they just don't work here. The guitars are lacking to the point where I'm sitting there aurally searching for riffs and hooks.

Obviously im very disappointed and I hope they go back to being anti-flag. I would seriously be surprised if radio junkies actually liked this. I hate having cds that let me down, cuz its like, what am I going to do with this? I could sell it, but that still wont erase the memories, only a new cd could. TAKE YOUR TIME AF! MAKE A GOOD ALBUM!

being a huge fan of anti flag. i was stoked about this new album. i was counting down the days till its release. Well when i got the album i was really dissapointed. There are only like 2 good songs on the cd. I cant say these guys have sold out their lyrics but they definatly sold out their sound. I dont care if they signed to RCA or not. As long as they keep their anti capitalistic lyrics. Which they did. Punk is supposed to be DIY. but i do understand that signing to a bigger label will get the words out to another fan base. So i dont hate them for that. I have loved everyone of their cds up to this one. If youve never lisened to anti flag before i advise you not to pick this one up. but do get any of their others cause they are amazing.