Anti-Flag - Lies They Tell Our Children (Album Review)
Monday, 09 January 2023
Written by Maddy Howell
The world has been caught in a chaotic downward spiral—from war and political corruption to inequality on countless levels, there’s a lot to take in before we even consider a global pandemic or a swiftly escalating environmental crisis.
In times of such turmoil, a new Anti-Flag album is often around the corner. More than three decades since they began fighting against the system with their socio-politically charged brand of punk-rock, things are arguably more screwed than ever.
Following on from 2020’s ‘20/20 Vision’, an album that posited former president Donald Trump as a prominent figure in America’s growing neo-fascist movement, on ‘Lies They Tell Our Children’ the Pittsburgh punk icons are looking at the bigger picture.
Actioning a call to arms against humanity’s most imminent threats, on their 13th full-length the four-piece are opening up vital conversations on the exploitation of the working class, universal healthcare, voter suppression, and more within an album of palatable pop-punk anthems.
Tracing the origins of such oppressions and recruiting an impressive eight guest vocalists to highlight the impact of humanity’s greed, this is Anti-Flag doing what they do best with a fresh lick of paint.
From rousing punk anthem, The Fight Of Our Lives, featuring both Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath and Bad Religion’s Brian Baker, to the one-two pop punch of Imperialism with Pinkshift’s Ashrita Kumar, as they address the dismal realities of the world’s issues, Anti-Flag amplify the power of community.
The situation is urgent, but ‘Lies They Tell Our Children’ is a reminder that positive change is possible when we stand united, and that’s the Anti-Flag MO. Ploughing forward with their mission to inspire and educate, here the punk legends are carrying the torch for a better future, delivering the straight-to-the-point singalongs the world needs right now.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
