Customer Reviews

Underground Network

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Great combination of art & politics. Shows what committment to an idea can do to musicianship. Too bad the ideas are so self-righteous.
Best cuts: Angry, Young & Poor/Underground Network/Stars & Stripes/Watch the Right, Culture Revolution.
Then there's this little story song about Spaz's House Destruction Party; notice that this is the only song that is about individual people as opposed to large generalized groups, stereotypes or global forces.
If you don't buy their world view (which can be characterized as simplistically critical of capitalism), you could find this boring - musically there is little variation; lyrics are reports, not poetry.

This album is by far the best release from Anti-Flag in my eyes. It's unrelenting, yet melodic, musically, while also offering several sobering examples of political and social injustices.

Although Anti-Flag have been known for holding strong political convictions, none of their albums seem to be as convincing as this one. Where albums such as "Die for the Government" and the more recent "The Terror State" seem juvenile lyrically and ideally, this album presents it's view of pro-political activism and actually takes the time to back up their ideas. Several of the topics covered are injustice towards the youth and the inevitable frustration and alienation of the victims of such cases ("Angry, Young and Poor"), media cover-ups and fudging of facts ("Underground Network"), Being under the control of oppressive forces simply because they have money to throw around ("Daddy Warbux"), The horrible incidents involving Native Americans and other minorities which have been shamelessly exploited by a country which supposedly stands for freedom and justice for all ("Stars and Stripes"). The only sore thumb in the whole collection of great songs is "Spaz's House Destruction Party" which is kind of a throw back to early Anti-Flag "scene-songs" and is a frivilous party song that doesn't hold very well to the theme of the album.

One of the main points I think you can find in this record is questioning the ideals of those who try to push their's upon you, and thinking for yourself instead of blindly following any one sided party of the matter. However you have to ask yourself, how can this band consider themselves as being this open minded creative force when, in their song "This Machine Kills Facists", they're bantering about someone expressing conservative beliefs musically?

Left-wing, Right-wing, whatever; This is a great album worth checking out if you want to see a slightly different perspective on the state of the country we live in.

Anti-Flag have been around for a long time, and have improved with each effort. While their early material was "punk by the book" to quote even them, as they matured, their anarcho-politics turned more socialist and much more defined. Few bands today manage to inform as much as Anti-Flag does, without getting boring about it. Musically, they are at the top of their game with this album, and we owe them a great debt for it.

Some people will argue that Anti-Flag are unamerica. This is untrue. America was founded on the rights of free speech and I'm sure A-F would agree with the Dead Kennedys lyric, "I'm glad I live in a place, where I can say the things I do without being taken out and shot. So I'm on guard against the goons, trying to take my rights away, we need to rise above the need for cops and laws." Anti-Flag pays homage to the Native Americans (who were here FIRST) in the punk fueled "Stars and Stripes" and the "American Folk Hero," Woody Guthrie (who was a communist) on the song, "This Machine Kills Fascists" (what was written on Guthrie's guitar). In fact, Anti-Flag may be the most important band around in this time of Patriot Acts and HUAC-style snooping. If they hated America, they would move, problem solved. But they don't, they love their land and will fight anyone who tries to drag it the way of the old fashioned, outdated right.
Watch for their new album "the terror state" coming out in October.

Well, maybe. I enjoy both records emensly. Now, right away you should be considering this record, common, im comparing a record to the best Propagandhi record ever and probably the most well written and best musicianship filled punk record ever. The new Anti-Flag is nothing short of amazing. I own all of Anti-Flags records to date and this is by far the best, but thats not to say that all of their records are amazing. If they have one record that i'm a little less fond of than the rest it would be A New Kind Of Army, but only because the vocals are hard to understand on that one. Underground Netword is incredably catchy and the lyrical content is Anti-Flags best to date. EVERY song of this cd is very good. There is not one I do not listen to. Even Todays Empires has 1 song I don't like (ego fum papa) buts thats just because of the long, tedious intro. Buy this cd, if your new the band, this is the place to start. If you have any of there other cds and for some reason didn't like them. I would still highly recommend checking this one out, its one of the best records i'v ever heard in my life.

I bought this expecting total crap, since they made the switch from Go Kart (A-F Records) to Fat. Instead, I got one of the best, if not the best Anti-Flag album to date. It's a close call between this and "A New Kind Of Army". This is Anti-Flag's most mature (heh) album ever. This has to be the most political release of 2001, with every single song blazing with issues from the bombings in Vieques, Puerto Rico, how Panama was deceived, George W. Bush, and more. They lyrics are intelligent as usual. This time, you can understand what Justin's saying. My favorite song on the cd, "Bring Out Your Dead", was written and sang by #2 Chris, which I think should be done more often because he is very talented. Not only does this cd have a disk full of great songs, but a booklet full of lyrics and little essays of sorts written by political speakers. Some of the songs on here were inspired by Howard Zinn, a well known speaker.

All in all, this is a great Anti-Flag cd. From making the switch of record labels, AF has not lost any of their speed, skill, or musicianship. If you're new to Anti-Flag, I would suggest you buy this and "A New Kind Of Army" because both are great. Even if you aren't new to Anti-Flag and you don't have it, you should have it.

Underground Network is the first album released on Fat Wreck Cords by Anti-Flag. This change in label has bought a fairly different sound to the band, but the message stays the same, although not as hardcore as their first release, Die For Your Government. It is very political and takes on many issues that plague society. Fans from their earlier works will appreciate the albums raw speed and power. This cd is great to bang your head too, or just pump you up. The bass sounds great, and the guitar is equally amazing. Even if you didn't like Anti-Flag's first few albums, if you like any kind of punk, you need this album. Many songs are fast enough to please the hardcore fans, but are also innovative and fun to listen to. My favorite songs from this album are, Watch the Right, Spaz's House Destruction Party and Panama Deception. I highly recommend this albumv for any punker.

Anti-Flag's album, Underground Network presents so many ideas that we need to address. Their music is so natural and so unique. With Justin Sane's awesome lyrics and voice, how can you not give it five stars? Great, true lyrics meet amazing punk and you have Anti-Flag. All the songs on the album are extremely good and well performed. "Angry, Young and Poor," "Stars and Stripes," and "Cultural Revolution" are among my many favorites. "Vieques Puerto Rico: Bikini Revisited" and "Panama Deception," are truly mind-blowing songs. They address two main problems where the US made horrible choices. Anti-Flag's passion for music and peace are shown beautifully in this album. I highly recommend it.

Many people are complaining about Anti-Flag switching labels. However I believe this was a smart move by the band. The quality of the new album is a lot better than their previous attempts. However along with this they haven't sold out in the least. Their message is still the same. Even if you don't like their style of music, then at least read the lyrics because they will open your eyes to the way things are here in the "land of the free." Anyway this is a fantastic album that is short and sweet and can be listened to again and again. It is at times funny (Spaz's House Destruction Party), sometimes very serious (Stars & Stripes) but usually somewhere in between. But its definitely great punk music with a message thats a lot more intelligent than most of the stuff out there. Any punk fan will enjoy this great CD. Pittsburgh Punk Rock Forever!!!

Anti-Flag surprised the bejesus out of me on this one; i thought for sure they would become lost in the generic sounding punk rock world owned by Fat Wreck Chords and Epitaph... but the records great! Its the most political one yet; it may not be the most rockin' (a couple of the songs are on the medium-paced "poppy-sound" side) but hey... BUY IT ANYWAYS! You won't be dissapointed. promise. The lyrics refer to things that are gonig on today, and so it gives you a sense of comfort knowing that these records are being sold to kids all over the world. Now every one both young and old can know about the deeds of our fascist state... from the WTO in Seattle to U.S. occupation of Vieques...this record very well could start a Culture Revolution, as on of the songs is titled. If you like good punk, you'll love this album.

It seems like Anti-flag just keeps getting better and better and Underground Network is no exception. With songs like, "Underground Network," and "Spaz's house destruction party," this is one of the best punk albums out there. It also has excellent liner notes about the songs and the corruption of the U.S.A.. Now, if these guys aren't punk, than I don't know who is.