Artist: Anti-Flag
Title: American Spring
Genre: Punk-Rock
Release Date: 22nd May 2015
Label: Spinefarm Records
Album Review
For fans of the genre, Pittsburgh based ANTI-FLAG doesn’t need presentations anymore. They have been releasing their anger against governmental corruption, capitalism, police brutality and war all throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. In recent years, they have released and re-released singles and celebrated their career with multiple tours and compilations. Nevertheless, their new opus proves that they haven’t lost any of their caustic enthusiasm. Yet early fans can’t deny that they abandoned a more crusty sound and joined the GREEN DAYs of the world, playing a love it or hate it new punk-pop hybrid.
Indeed, ‘American Spring’ is one hell of a catchy political pamphlet. From the radio friendly ‘Fabled World’ to the head-banging joyful anthem that is ‘Sky Falling Down’, the guys still spit out their guts and denounce what they have us used to: class war is here and now, anti-racism is an everyday fight and war is a corporate business. Yet, avoiding clichés seems to work out for the US-punks, as their lyrics all the way through the album don’t seem to be forced or contrived. While jumping around and enjoying some good old dancing hymns against the system, listeners can grasp an interesting connection with the band. It’s actually clear that they had fun recording this new release! Even, the over pop ‘Brandenburg Gate’ (with Rancid’s own Tim Armstrong) flirts with Celtic Punk-Rock à la FLOGGING MOLLY and succeeds to marry party atmosphere and political manifesto.
That’s exactly the strength of ‘American Spring’, the boys learned to please their fans, but still seem to enjoy what they do. No, ANTI-FLAG hasn’t “sold-out”. They just released yet another catchy punk-rock bomb. It has the right amount of cheese and the right amount of “in your face”. While having some downfalls (‘Walk Away’ sounds like a filler) it starts and finishes on a high note. This is definitely an album worth listening live. Good thing that ANTI-FLAG is coming to Europe this autumn!
Tracklist
01. Fabled World - 3:16
02. The Great Divide - 1:28
03. Brandenburg Gate - 3:30
04. Sky is Falling - 4:14
05. Walk Away - 3:14
06. Song For Your Enemy - 3:18
07. Set Yourself on Fire - 2:46
08. All of the Poison, All of the Pain - 3:06
09. Break Something - 2:48
10. Without End - 3:08
Line-up
Justin Sane - guitar, vocals
Chris #2 - bass, vocals
Chris Head - guitar, vocals
Pat Thetic – drums
Guests:
Tim Armstrong - additional vocals on ‘Brandenburg Gate’
Tom Morello - additional guitar on ‘Without End
Website
http://www.anti-flag.com / http://americanspring.net / https://www.facebook.com/anti.flag.official
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Total: 9 / 10
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