Music Anti-Flag’s 13th album “LIES THEY TELL OUR CHILDREN”

[Red Monster]

Anti-Flag just put out a new album, fittingly released on the anniversary of January 6th. I’ve long felt Anti-Flag fell off a bit over the last fifteen years; when I go to listen to one of their records, it’s always one from the nineties or early 2000s. But this newest album surprised me. It’s just as visceral, just as angry, just as poignant as anything off of Underground Network or For Blood and Empire.

For this release, the band has brought on several guest musicians from other bands: Tim McIlrath from Rise Against, Jesse Leach from Killswitch Engage, Brian Baker from Bad Religion, and others. They bring unique elements to Anti-Flag that help keep their sound fresh and engaging, even after all this time.

kerrang.com 4/5

Lies They Tell Our Children is billed as Anti-Flag’s first concept album – the concept presumably being that we’re all now the dog from the ‘This is fine…’ burning house meme – and sees the band in fighting form as they lay bare, and lay waste to, the root causes of our most imminent threats.

distortedsoundmag.com 8/10

Ultimately, LIES THEY TELL OUR CHILDRENis an urgent and supremely well-executed collection of rousing anthems that perfectly encapsulates the rage at the problems that we as a world have faced in recent times. The defiant nature of the tracks on this album definitely prove to be a much needed positive soundtrack to these dark days, and the hopeful way in which they are delivered seems to allow it to be a bit easier to get through and show a light at the end of a dark tunnel, one you can without doubt imagine this collection of songs blaring out of as you do.

ghostcultmag.com 9/10

Lies… is everything a sensational punk-pop album requires. Standout track ‘Victory Or Death (We Gave ‘Em Hell)’ even dabbles in early fun while introducing a spot-on live song to experience with strangers: “Raise a glass to the lost and the brave.” It’s textbook Anti-Flag, but it’s also a reassuring example of the band’s longevity. Never starved for fluid harmonies and chanty choruses, it’s utterly impossible to grow sick of their penchant for protest.

 

[Ray00101]

I don’t think I’ve liked their work since The Terror State. Their last album was especially pretty bad, akin to watching a Rachel Maddow meltdown in song form. Bringing Tim Mcilrath in doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence either.

Still might give it a listen.

 

[Christo750]

I heard a lot of good things about this. I should give this a shot.