Album Review: The General Strike Anti Flag

While Anti-Flag's eighth studio album The General Strike contains some excellent, well-educated political commentary, the opinions it's trying to express almost go to waste due to the genre of the band. Punk music is generally expected to be anti-establishment, and for Anti-Flag that's what their previous albums have focused on.

It's what they've built their band around from day one. In effect they are sort of preaching to the choir. The fans they already have more than likely agree with what is being said, and those who don't agree/care or don't like the genre will dismiss the views and file them under 'disorderly punk kids'. Thus, their call for change will remain within the small, and ever shrinking, punk-rock minority.

If you look past the message and at the music itself, those who are fond of some good old fashion punk-rock are in for a treat. It's amazing how a band, whose primary subject matter has been the same for eight albums, can still produce fresh and original music. Kicking the CD off with their fastest song in a few years, Controlled Opposition sets the energy level for what follows. From there the first single off the release The Neoliberal Anthem takes control and is pumped full of catchy melodies and sing-along choruses. Every song on The General Strike is stamped with Anti-Flag's signature sound.
Their previous two albums suggested Anti-Flag were just another '90s punk-rock band that were falling by the wayside, but this release shows they are far from done.