Punk's angriest unitarians drop their first major label release, and somewhere in Wisconsin some 14 year old kid is calling them sellouts on an internet board.
I'd like to dispel a myth right now: just because it comes out on a 'major' doesn't automatically make it bad. This is a particularly contentious issue for punk rock bands and fans alike. Some hold to my theory (and yes, despite my level of pretentiousness with regards to music, I do like some stuff that's been released outside of the DIY/indie set), and some hold to the notion that unless you release it yourself (or through an indie), you're compromising your artistic integrity for the sake of “gettin' paid, gettin' paid.” Anti-Flag (always kind of a contentious band, anyway) made the decision to jump to a major after the release of The Terror State (Fat Wreck) a few years back, and even before a single note had been recorded, all of their future works were being castrated on message boards the world over...their fans had always been known for being fiercely loyal and militant in their support of the band, and with the news of the switch, they had become equally as vicious. Is For Blood and Empire good enough to get the kids to shut up and just enjoy the music?
Anti-Flag, a prominent Pittsburgh export, has spent their time as a band doing two things: 1) sharply and smartly assaulting socio-political issues; and 2) doing so in a very simple, structured, anthematic way. Which is why they needed to go to a major. By stepping up to the bigs, they have essentially increased the height of their soap-box, allowing them to take their message of tolerance and necessity of change to a larger audience.
Their appeal lies in the accessibility of their choruses, in that you can hear the first verse/chorus combination and you are able to scream along at the top of your lungs when the second chorus comes around. The lyrics on For Blood and Empire are angry, they're visceral, but maintain an undertone of hope throughout, often imploring the listening to join in the revolution. On “Project for a New American Century”, for example, Chris #1 practically begs the kids to take a stand towards salvaging America, it's democratic roots and it's future. They take the White House Press Corp to task on “The Press Corpse”, resonating the belief that journalists in this country are only journalists in name, not in practice (I hear Helen Thomas' new book does an equally fine job of doing the same thing). Not everything is serious business, though, on “One Trillion Dollars”, Anti-Flag takes on a satirical tone in lampooning the deficit economy that we find ourselves living in. The topics are diverse, and the voices are equally so.
Musically, an Anti-Flag album is an Anti-Flag album is an Anti-Flag album. Most songs are fast, pounding and designed to make young bodies slam into one another, with vigor. Not every tack hits you with the strength of a thousand straight edge kids, though. “One Trillion Dollars” has a more country-pop vibe to it, swaggering around all jangly and languid (a reflection on the lyrical tone, obviously). By and large, though, the range pretty well runs from hard rock to punk rock and back again, with nifty guitar, bass and drum work interspersed here and there to keep things fun and interesting. I would've liked a little more diversity from track to track, but standard fare isn't so bad, either. It rocks, and it rocks consistently, is what I'm trying to tell you.
So, did the move affect the quality? Not at all. This is still Anti-Flag. They still hate the state of the world today. They still want to incite a movement of change. They still don't drink or smoke. And they still rock asses. For Blood and Empire may not be a classic, but it's a good album and a pretty fair listen. If you're a fan of the band, but were mad because of the 'unpleasantness', then give it up and get the record. If you're a fan of the genre, but haven't ever committed yourself to some of the more idealistic bands, get the record. If you hate the Bush administration, get the record. These boys from the Steel City care, and you should too.
