Anti-Flag
For Blood and Empire
(A-F Records, 2006)

Anti-Flag has been doing approximately the same thing for more than a decade. At the onset of that time, it toured consistently to build a fan base that appreciated the fast nineties styled punk pulling from an earlier time. The band’s been relatively consistent over time, and it’s a testament to their beliefs that the group still has something to say after the innumerable releases. Overt political messages don’t generally make for good pop music based upon the fact that some segment of the listening audience will be offended at some point. That’s why our Pittsburgh friends aren’t MTV stalwarts. For Blood and Empire actually seems to increase the political message as well as the inclusion of different styles of punk it trucks in. Pretty much each track bounces off of some branch of punk which easily makes this the band’s most radio friendly release to date - except of course for the lyrics, which are relentless critiques of the government, the press and American society in general. So, this record will not take AF to the general ear holes of Americans, but the band is now releasing records through RCA. Even with this, it maintains the group’s vision of what a band should be, which is admirable. Maybe the distribution will help. Maybe millions more will hear what they have to say. Or maybe they’ll just become lazy millionaires and start releasing dance punk records.

Miss TK and The Revenge
XOXO
(Gern Blandsten Records, 2004)

Well, I’m not really into this whole disco-dance-punk fad that’s criss-crossing the nation right now with the likes of The Faint and Beep Beep. Unfortunately, Miss TK falls into a category similar to those fellows. The amateur factor isn’t as annoying as the seemingly complacent drummer who wields a whopping two different beats on this entire slab. Some of the guitar work is above boards punk, but coupled with the rest of this schlock, it becomes trite and bothersome. The record jumps of to a minimal start with “Banana” and its dub production values that neither fit the music nor present anything listenable. Second track, same as the first. “Fake Italians Ain’t No Stallions” gives the listener a taste of the drummer’s other beat as the band cranks out some generic punk stylings. But, at least the handclaps sound nice. Apart from the fact that Miss TK herself recalls Gwen Stefani’s vocals, the title of “Hey Baby Yeah” recalls the pop star as well. “Elevator” sounds like the Cars on a bad day and “Basement Demo” may be the explanation for why The Ramones didn’t wanna go down there. “Locals Only”, clocking in at 19 seconds, is by far the best track on here, not only for its brevity, but for the unapologetic furry and the temper of Miss TK. At the end of all those tracks we’re brought back to reality with another disco blast of nothingness. If you see this record or cd in stores, don’t buy it or steal it. Set it afire or smash it and know that you helped make the world a better place.