Anti-Flag – American Spring
Written by Caitlin Galipeau
3.5/5
Anti-Flag, a band known for their activism and social justice-themed lyrics, are back with their ninth studio album, American Spring. Like their previous albums, American Spring fires many shots at the way the world is today; the band’s dislike for how the world works is no secret, and to this day are still combatting the ideals shaped by years of war, American politics, and societal conflicts.
For the past two decades, Anti-Flag has used their music as a vehicle for change. At face value, their music is stereotypically loud, angry punk. Upon a second listen, you come to realize that the anger is related to issues regarding national security and personal freedom. Their music gets people involved in making a difference.
American Spring shares themes of opposing war and terror with past albums, but focuses more on the war back home rather than the war abroad. Songs like “Fabled World,” “Brandenburg Gate,” and “Sky Is Falling” all discuss issues with capitalism, American politics, and other challenges to American freedom, proving they are still as passionate as ever about the freedom of all people.
Twenty years can cause anyone, even those as super punk rock and badass as Anti-Flag, to lose their edge. While the years have certainly made the band wiser, their music has gotten noticeably softer. Between 1996’s Die For the Government and American Spring, Anti-Flag has assumed a more polished, predictable sound. Something to be noted is that this change has not affected how fun and influential their music still is to this day, making this more of an observation rather than a criticism.
American Spring is an album comprised of some very strong tracks, however, it does have its weak points. Most of the songs on American Spring are strong musically and lyrically, but something does not sit right with “Walk Away.” The intro to the song is solid (who isn’t a sucker for a bass intro?), but the rest of the track proves to be just okay when it could be so much more. While “Walk Away” is not bad necessarily, there is significant room for improvement – but if this is the worst song on the album, that certainly speaks volumes for the rest of American Spring.
There are not really many complaints one can make about American Spring. While certainly not Anti-Flag’s best album, it is still good. It fits the model of the band’s discography: a catchy, empowering protest. American Spring proves that Anti-Flag has not abandoned their ideals and morals even with the vastly changed music industry. Still going strong even after 20 years, Anti-Flag are still as punk rock as ever and show no signs of changing that.
