Slip It In.
Ok, I'll admit something here. I'm perplexed how people can bash on this Flag record. Out of all the Flag albums I've heard and had at various times this is the one I come back to the most.
I recently encoded to WAV my vinyl copy I bought at Tower Records in Bellevue, WA in 1986 (oh the memories). I listened to the whole damn thing tonight while working out. I have to give it rave reviews. This album still rocks. Its almost as some other reviewers have said a mix of punk, hardcore and maybe a skosh of metal in there. I love the energy, the attitude and swagger. ( Its also a great album to do cardio to, but thats another subject.)
I think the flow of the record is great. The first three songs bust out the gate and don't slow down till Rat's Eyes. Then a brief reprieve and off you go again.
Favorite Tracks:
Black Coffee
You Think You're Evil
Obliteration (interesting song progression)
Slip It In
The Bars
This is a long way removed from Damaged, which is great on its own. My War I can't get into as much, sludgey and the material isn't as ferocious. Plus, I don't think that album flows as well and the band doesn't seem to being into it as much.
Seems there are factions of fans who like specific angles of 'Flag. Chalk me up as one who thinks Slip It In is one of thier top tier albums. Fusing punk, hardcore, 70s hard rock and charging hard makes it thier most complete album. It does what few artists dare to do - fuse genres. It works brilliantly here.
Would recommend this and Damaged as a introduction to 'Flag.
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Fun sidenote to this LP - Etched in the vinyl after the last song on each side is a message:
S1: "Only The Steaming Liquid of Caffeine... Stark ... Starker"
S2: "And Walked Out Into the Bright Light without Sunglasses"
I don't know if the CD has this. Thought I'd throw that one out there.
