Fly the Flag
Down by Law · 1999
39 min · 13 tracks · punk rock
Fast-paced punk anthems collide with sharp social commentary, showcasing a raw yet melodic energy throughout.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fly the Flag — The title track stands out with its anthemic chorus and rallying cry for individuality, capturing the essence of the band's ethos.
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Nothing Good on the Radio — This track critiques mainstream media while embodying the band's signature high-energy sound, making it a staple of their live performances.
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Revolution Compromised — With biting lyrics that address political disillusionment, this song showcases the band's ability to blend catchy hooks with thought-provoking themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic punk with sharp lyrics but lacks some cohesion in its latter half.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level with fast tempos and aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half introduces more melodic elements.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the anthemic quality of the songs.
- Lyrical themes consistently address social issues, with each song presenting a distinct perspective or critique.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- fast-paced bursts of energy
- sharp social commentary themes
- short tracks for quick listens
- sing-along anthems with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- want slow, reflective moments
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1999, 'Fly the Flag' is Down by Law's fifth studio album, following their 1996 effort 'All Scratched Up'. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying its identity within the punk rock scene after several lineup changes and shifting musical landscapes, reflecting their resilience and commitment to their sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pennywise· NOFX· Bad Religion
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Fly the Flag 2:25
- 2 Promises 1:39
- 3 Nothing Good on the Radio 1:50
- 4 Automatic 2:36
- 5 Breakout! 4:34
- 6 Greenwhich Mean Time 1:49
- 7 Steel & Concrete 3:48
- 8 Revolution Compromised 2:44
- 9 Firey Shade of Blue 4:26
- 10 Sorry Sometimes 3:00
- 11 Find It 3:44
- 12 This is the New Breed 3:07
- 13 Man on the Street 3:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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