The Bright Lights of America

The Bright Lights of America
Studio album by Anti-Flag
Released April 1, 2008
Recorded 2007-2008
Genre Punk rock, pop punk, alternative rock[1]
Length 52:14
Label RCA
Producer Tony Visconti
Anti-Flag chronology

A Benefit for Victims of Violent Crime
(2007)		 The Bright Lights of America
(2008)		 The People or the Gun
(2009)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic link
AbsolutePunk.net (69%) link
Alternative Press
Sputnikmusic link
Unglued Reviews link

The Bright Lights of America is the sixth studio album released by Anti-Flag on April 1, 2008. Much of the album was released on the band's MySpace with twelve of the thirteen tracks on March 24, 2008. This album was different from the previous one; it was the first to feature a string section and child choirs.[2] The band was often criticized for this effort because it is an extreme departure from their normal musical style.

Singles and videos

The first song released from the album was "Good 'N' Ready", featured on Fat Wreck Chords Hanuk-Comp From the Dreidel to the Grave compilation.

In April 2008 Anti-Flag teamed up with Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and a host of roller derby girls for a video for "The Bright Lights of America".[3] "The video demonstrates the audacity and the craziness of the seemingly endless war... We're trying to get that across in a funny and interesting way. In the video there are different teams that represent various places in the world and various nationalities. Team USA comes out and plays dirty and wipes the floor with everyone. Throughout all that you have Tom Morello as the coach of Team USA - he's a fiery coach and he's out for blood! He gets the ladies to perform at their peak!", bassist Chris #2 told Kerrang!. The Los Angeles Roller Derby team and a group of fans took part in the 20-hour show, with many suffering on-set injuries; one girl sprained her knee, another broke her collar-bone, according to the magazine.[3]

Track listing

No. TitleFeaturing Length
1. "Good and Ready"    3:59
2. "The Bright Lights of America"    3:32
3. "Vices"  Clip from Mumia Abu-Jamal at the end of the song 4:59
4. "The Modern Rome Burning"    4:19
5. "If You Wanna Steal (You Better Learn How to Lie)"    4:04
6. "No Warning"    3:00
7. "Spit in the Face"    4:09
8. "We Are the Lost"    4:17
9. "Go West"    4:19
10. "The Smartest Bomb"    3:48
11. "Shadow of the Dead"    3:51
12. "The Ink and the Quill (Be Afraid)"    4:34
13. "Tar and Sagebrush" (Not written on cover)  3:12
14. "Caution to the Wind" (Bonus title available on iTunes)  3:57
15. "What Do You Think About Western Civilization" (Bonus title available on iTunes)  3:17
16. "I'm So Sick of You" (Bonus title on double LP version of the album)  1:01
17. "Wake Up the Town" (Bonus title on double LP version of the album, also a pre-order bonus title released April 1st online.)Benjamin Kowalewicz from Billy Talent 3:44
18. "Tanzania" (Bonus title available with pre-order version of album)  3:34

Personnel

Anti-Flag
Artwork
Additional musicians
Production
  • Tony Visconti – Producer, mixing, percussion
  • Matt Marshall – A&R
  • Emily Lazar – Mastering
  • Mario J. McNulty – Engineer, percussion
  • Joe LaPorta – Mastering Assistant
  • Tim Price – Assistant Engineer

Chart positions

Chart Position
Billboard 200 118

References

  1. ↑ Apar, Corey (2006-03-21). "For Blood and Empire - Anti-Flag". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  2. ↑ "Anti-Flag Interview - Justin Sane". ThePunkSite.com. 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kerrang! #1206 April 2008, News. Anti-Flag team up with RATM guitarist for new video. p.08.