Here I discuss the new album by ANTI FLAG (http://www.ramtatta.de/reviews,id-1231,go-anti+flag+_+the+general+strike.html ) and hardly is the review online when the new album by NOTHINGTON is recommended to me. "Who says Anti Flag must also say Nothington," I was told.
Well then, let's see what the band has to offer.
The opener "Captive Audience" is already quite pleasing. Nice melody punk, kept at a pleasant mid-tempo. Perfect for bobbing along and occasional sing-alongs, so to speak, to warm up. In the end, there’s a nice background choir, so everything a song in the genre needs is present.
The second song then steps a bit more on the gas pedal. One is tempted to sing louder and the head bobs more vigorously. So we seem to have warmed up slowly to start with song number three.
Number three, however, strangely takes a bit of the tempo out. The first half minute reminds me of the melody and vocals of the anthem "Drink some more" by The Real McKenzies, but then it goes its own way, which somehow always reminds me of the song by the Canadian folk punkers. It’s a nice song that fits perfectly for the end of the day. You come home, take the cold beer out of the fridge, put your feet on the coffee table, and relax.
Now we want to really go for it after the first two tempo numbers. However, the listener is not entirely granted that. Even "The Escapist" as the following song quickly takes the tempo out of the initial seconds, but it knows how to please as a catchy melody punk song. My experienced ears have heard similar things often, but it’s not bad, just nothing new. And to return to the comment about ANTI FLAG, the political message is stronger with ANTI FLAG, much stronger, and musically ANTI FLAG offers more.
However, the eleven songs on the album are by no means bad. It’s fun to listen to the band, especially now in summer. The sun is shining in my face, the mood is rising, and the band fits in well. Just like many other melody punk bands that make a similar sound. Anyone who likes No FX and the like should definitely give NOTHINGTON a listen.
There are opportunities to catch them live, besides at your trusted record dealer or the worldwide web, on the band's tour. The concert dates are as follows:
30.04. NL - Venlo - Queensday Festival
02.05. DE – Nürnberg - K4 Zentralcafe
03.05. DE – Dornstadt (near Ulm) Tanke
04.05. AT - Innsbruck - P.M.K.
09.05. AT - Vienna - Arena
10.05. AT - Linz, Kapu
12.05. DE - Kiel - Alte Meierei
14.05. DE – Hannover – Bei Chez Heinz
15.05. DE – Hamburg - Headcrash
16.05. DE – Köln - MTC
17.05. DE - Berlin - Casiopeia
21.05. DE – Berlin - Ramones Museum (acc)
22.05. DE - Frankfurt - 11e
