What The...
Black Flag · 2013
44 min · 22 tracks · hardcore punk
Raucous and unrelenting, this album captures Black Flag's raw energy with chaotic rhythms and scathing lyrical commentary.
Top tracks — play these first
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My Heart’s Pumping Start here — Opening the album with frenetic energy, this track exemplifies the band's signature sound while delivering visceral lyrics about urgency and angst.
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Wallow in Despair — This track stands out for its relentless pace and darkly humorous take on existential dread, capturing the essence of Black Flag's lyrical sharpness.
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This Is Hell — With its brutally honest lyrics and driving rhythm, this song serves as a powerful commentary on societal disillusionment, embodying the band's rebellious spirit.
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You Gotta Be Joking — The punchy brevity of this track highlights the band's ability to convey complex emotions in under two minutes while maintaining an infectious intensity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures Black Flag's raw energy but lacks the depth and cohesion of their earlier work.
What we noticed
- The album features a relentless tempo, with most tracks clocking in under two minutes, creating a sense of urgency.
- Vocals are delivered in a shouted style that often overlaps with the instrumentation, blurring the lines between lyrics and music.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, shifting from fast-paced sections to slower, heavier riffs, adding to the chaotic feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
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
- raw energy for intense moments
- quick bursts of cathartic release
- sardonic humor in chaotic bursts
- dynamic shifts keep attention engaged
- for high-energy environments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, melodic sounds
- seek longer, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a significant return after two decades, showcasing the band's enduring influence.
- Themes
- societal disillusionment· chaotic urgency
- Career context
- Released in 2013, What The... is Black Flag's first studio album in over two decades, marking a significant return after their 1991 album, The Process of Weeding Out. This record came during a period of revitalization for the band, featuring new members and a blend of their classic hardcore punk sound with contemporary influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Minor Threat· Dead Kennedys· Circle Jerks
Tracklist
- 1 My Heart’s Pumping Start here 2:12
- 2 Down in the Dirt 3:39
- 3 Blood and Ashes 1:48
- 4 Now Is the Time 1:47
- 5 Wallow in Despair 1:30
- 6 Slow Your Ass Down 1:50
- 7 It’s So Absurd 1:11
- 8 Shut Up 1:43
- 9 This Is Hell 2:01
- 10 Go Away 2:32
- 11 The Bitter End 2:02
- 12 The Chase 2:17
- 13 I’m Sick 1:45
- 14 It’s Not My Time to Go-Go 1:36
- 15 Lies 2:47
- 16 Get Out of My Way 1:01
- 17 Outside 2:44
- 18 No Teeth 1:44
- 19 To Hell and Back 1:43
- 20 Give Me All Your Dough 1:28
- 21 You Gotta Be Joking 1:17
- 22 Off My Shoulders 3:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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