Anti-Flag is essential. They keep the aesthetic of classic punk alive while crafting it into their own unique sound. Sure, they may rip themselves off from time to time, and they don’t often venture to other genres (though when they do, it’s great!) but they’re an extremely reliable punk band that can write circles around most musicians.

They’re also important in spreading the cultural ethos of punk rock. Between their aesthetics, sound, the vibe of their live shows, and the fact that they have consistently spread progressive social messages (particularly during times when that wasn’t a popular move), Anti-Flag is the embodiment of what punk rock is about. They have always provided a punk rock haven for misfit kids and adults alike where everyone is welcome and progress feels possible, and hopefully they always will. Anyway, we ranked all the Anti-Flag albums so we had to find a bunch of different ways to say “all these songs sound the same.”

12. 20/20 Vision (2020)

This record opens with a Trump sample because of course it does. This is a bland collection of typical-sounding A-F songs. This record would be great if Anti-Flag didn’t already exist. It came out in 2020 (surprise!) prior to the presidential election. Good thing they put this record out otherwise we might be dealing with another four years of “Cheeto in Chief” jokes. Thanks, Anti-Flag! This isn’t a bad record, by the way. It’s just their worst.

Play it again: “You Make Me Sick”
Skip it: “Un-American”

11. American Fall (2017)

Unfortunately, this is yet another collection of Anti-Flag-sounding songs by a band that sounds like Anti-Flag. Even though they used a more diverse variety of instruments on this one, the songs seem uninspired compared to the bulk of their catalog. Maybe they shouldn’t have spent so much time and energy finding creative ways to call George Bush a nazi when the genuine article was right around the corner.

Play it again: “Digital Blackout”
Skip it: “Racists”

 

10. LIES THEY TELL OUR CHILDREN (2023)

Am I crazy or does this record start with the opening notes of “Baby, I’m an Anarchist” by Against Me!? I mean they did try to sign them back in 2002, inspiring one of the greatest songs ever written (Tonight We’re Gonna Give It 35%). Maybe this was an homage. Either way, super generic album. At least it’s not a bunch of recycled Twitter slogans like the Trump records. There are also a ton of featured artists on the album, which is interesting to hear since Anti-Flag has such a distinct sound. I’d say give this one a listen for that alone.

Play it again: “ONLY IN MY HEAD”
Skip it: “VICTORY OR DEATH (WE GAVE ‘EM HELL)”

10. The People or the Gun (2009)

The criticism of those last three records may seem harsh so let’s give credit where credit is due. Anti-Flag has like ten fantastic records. How many bands even have ten records? “The People or the Gun” is a solid selection of catchy political anthems mixed in with some generic filler. Still fun though. I will say that Trump song is cringy. It’s got a real “Hello, fellow young democrats” feel to it.

Play it again: “Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington D.C. (Sheep in Shepherd’s Clothing)”
Skip it: “You Are Fired (Take This Job, Ah, Fuck It)”

9. The General Strike (2012)

This is one of the better records in the latter half of the A-F discography. While the band tends to borrow from itself, “The General Strike” fuses the tone of “For Blood and Empire” with “The Terror State.” It’s just not as great as those records. This album highlights a particular attribute of every A-F album. Say what you will Anti-Flag, but those spikey-haired 40-year-olds sure as fuck know how to open and close a record.

Play it again: “The Ghosts of Alexandria”
Skip it: “The Ranks of the Masses Rising”

8. Mobilize (2002)

“Mobilize” was created as a direct response to the attacks on 9/11. Released on February 19 the following year, Anti-Flag basically made this record quicker than it took for the towers to come down. The lyrics are super hamfisted, though well-intentioned, but the music is incredible. They really learned how to build a song to a big moment on this record. Not sure why it’s considered a full-length, though. Poorly recorded live songs shouldn’t count.

Play it again: “Anatomy of Your Enemy”
Skip it: “N.B.C. (No Blood Thirsty Corporations)”

7. American Spring (2015)

This is hands down the best album in the back half of the A-F discography. “American Spring” combines the classic Anti-Flag sound with a ton of throwback ’90s punk, which is a very underrated era in punk. This album really shows Anti-Flag carrying the punk torch into the next generation. Elephant in the room, A-F put out a ton of records since what most consider to be their golden era and I’d venture to bet that a lot of casual fans just check out the singles. If that’s you, then listen to this record.

Play it again: “Song for Your Enemy” (this is the best song they’ve put out since 2006)
Skip it: “Break Something”

6. The Bright Lights of America (2008)

“The Bright Lights of America” is by far the most exploratory record Anti-Flag has ever released. The tone is dark, the instrumentation is diverse, and the lyrics get extremely personal at times. Overall the album is a very successful departure from the band’s usual sound. However, some songs drag on a bit due to length and tempo, putting it just out of the top five.

Play it again: “Tar and Sagebrush”
Skip it: “The Ink and the Quill”

5. Die for the Government (1996)

This album launched Anti-Flag and helped shape the entire genre of modern protest punk. “Die for the Government” is as important to punk as it is for the band itself. There’s a mix of great and “eh” throughout this album but you can’t tell me you don’t feel all your blood rushing to your face when you hear Justin Sane’s opening war cry in the title track. This is the only record in this ranking that features original bassist and vocalist “Andy Flag,” which is the perfect cringy punk nickname. It’s just insane. Pathetic, really.

 

Play it again: “Die for the Government”
Skip it: “Kill the Rich”

4. A New Kind of Army (1999)

This was probably the first “real” punk album I ever heard. The first time I saw this album cover all I could think was, “Woah. That’s a lotta mohawks.” Anyway, “A New Kind of Army” is made up of iconic songs, chantable lyrics, and couple tracks that are just okay. This was during an era when Anti-Flag was putting out some of their best songs but every record had a handful of duds. They were likely trying to find their sound during this time and wrote a ton of incredible songs in the process. Justin Sane’s vocal tone on this album is absolutely perfect.

Play it again: “That’s Youth”
Skip it: “Outbreak”

3. Underground Network (2001)

Sometimes art predicts the future. Jules Verne predicted the submarine in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Orson Scott Card predicted internet forums in Ender’s Game. Well, in perfect Anti-Flag fashion, the title track predicted people snarkily complaining about the government on Twitter. If you boiled every A-F at record down to a 6 song EP this would be their best. “Underground Network” has some great coming-of-age songs about growing up punk, which I wish the band would make more of. Unfortunately, “Underground Network” contains a handful of skippable tracks. I feel like I’m repeating myself but we are ranking Anti-Flag records after all.

Play it again: “Spaz’s House Destruction Party”
Skip it: “This Machine Kills Fascists”

2. For Blood and Empire (2006)

“For Blood and Empire” was a massive hit for the band and propelled them into permanent punk relevance. Upon its release, people were skeptical about the band signing to a major label and worried it would lack the edge of their previous albums. While their pop sensibilities definitely improved on this album, the slight change in sound only served to showcase Anti-Flag at their best: as songwriters. Slicker production and tighter songwriting led to not only a number of iconic A-F songs but also made for a record with no skips. I’d argue that the best tracks from “Underground Network,” “Die for the Government,” and “A New Kind of Army” outshine the best tracks on this album, but as a whole, “For Blood and Empire” is an overall better listen from start to finish.

Play it again: “This is the End (For You My Friend)”
Skip it: N/A

1. The Terror State (2003)

During the post-9/11 political punk explosion, Anti-Flag was seen as a “poser” band. At the time, bands like Against Me! and Leftover Crack were quickly on the rise, making Anti-Flag appear tame and “too popular” in comparison. Hell, on the Against Me! tour DVD they catch footage of some drunk crustie outside of the Ottobar proclaiming, “Anti-Flag?! They’re like… my nemesis.” Illuminating. Anyway, “The Terror State” changed that perception. With its extremely dark tone and violently aggressive lyrics, A-F took inspiration from the new blood in the punk scene and re-established themselves as the kings of punk songwriting. This record is so good you can ignore all the Rock Against Bush lyrics that somehow feel more dated than Dead Kennedys lyrics about Californian politicians from the ’80s. I may not know what any “G-A-double-T”s are but it’s been 20 years since this record came out and I know I damn sure don’t stand for any of those.

Play it again: “When You Don’t Control Your Government People Want to Kill You”
Skip it: “Power to the Peaceful” (the bridge and solo are good though)