Fight With Tools

The hook of "Handlebars," is catchy, as are the nonsensical lyrics. I differ with most reviewers in that I believe the lyrics make the least sense at the end of the song. The more political these guys get, the more appropriate their group's name becomes. These words sound like they rolled off the liberal assembly line at the local state college, where students are given their choice between liberal indoctrination, and "progressive" indoctrination. This is being labeled "rap with a positive message." Make sure to read "positive" as "delusional."
Dear Flobots,
Do you really think it's that surprising that you got a record deal? Every mass media outlet and college prof. levels the same criticisms at our government that you have, and you think you're putting your neck out there? Let's champion some ideals together!

Here's to peace at any cost! (the cost will be our freedom, given to those who want us dead or socially enslaved as part of their idealogy)

Here's to repaying every group that feels slighted by the actions of America since (or before) 1776! (creating groups of "minorities" that are "more equal" than others)

Here's to moral relativism! (After all, why should we fight for what's right, if there is no such thing as "right?" Nobody can be wrong either, except the U.S., that is. Oh, and anyone who fights is wrong, so we would always be wrong if we did that. A notable exception being anyone who fights AGAINST the U.S.--they're justified, right?)

While we're at it, here's to larger government control, higher taxes and eventually socialism! (Forget that every socialist nation has failed to prosper like the U.S., and that the standard of living in glorious nations like Cuba (just ask Michael Moore) is in the tank. Of course, marxists would say we just haven't done it "right" yet, ha.)

I actually gave this album a halfway decent rating on musicality alone, but what I'm waiting for, is a group that champions:

-individual responsibility
-smaller government
-representation by the people and for the people, without activist judges making laws against the will of the people
-an end to the pandering and bowing to people who want us dead
-a call to action against liberal politicians who actually meet, and plan on continuing to meet with those who have expressed a desire to destroy our nation.
-a return to honor, morality, tradition and true EQUALITY. No special interest groups, and no reparations for people who have grown up free and FROM people who have never oppressed said group.

The founding fathers of this great nation are rolling in their graves to the rhythm of these catchy tunes.

I enjoy the album for its lyrical content, but in reference to the music, its bland and uninspired. I am sure these guys will get better with time, but at the current moment their music is boring.

This is a great new Indie band! The album took me a couple of times to fall in love with it, but I did. Yes, like the other reviewers stated, this has political underpinnings--take it as you will.

I'm a hardcore music fan, listen to all kinds of styles, but I'm still thriving to get even deeper into many styles like Jazz, Rock, Punk, and others. So sometimes, I venture into buying albums out of nowhere. I like to think that I have a 6th sense for telling a great music/albums (I like) by just analyzing the cover, artist graphic art, and song titles.

This weak I went to Best Buy and I stumbled across this album, and I just had no idea what they were about, never heard of them. I asked a store clerk if they had an available sample for customers to listen to, and he said, "Nope, I've heard good things about them [Flobots] but I have no idea what they're about." I just knew it looked like it sounded worthy of a trial. So I bought it.

I don't listen to punk music, but I am hardcore hip-hop fan (international hip-hop included).

The intro of the album has an attention-gathering sound, and I still didn't know what I was really listening to. "Mayday", is tight, and I thought that it's an underground hip-hop group with a rock twist.
The more I listened to the LP; it was feeling a lot like Hip-Hop and Punk, and subtle touches of other sounds like Jazz. It's the first time I buy and listen to a full album like this one, and the novelty factor made me appreciate it even more.

Now, that I've checked this Amazon webpage profile, I find interesting that my favorite song was "Handlebars," without any idea about its radio/commercial success. I like the way it just sounds raw, yet smooth and edgy. And the lyrics are not for the weak-minded.

I don't really have much to compare, this specific music genre is new to me, so I'm not going to impose on how genuine or how well it compares to others of the same category, but I can impose that that the lyrical content is intelligent and worthy of taking heed. The instrumentals are powerful in their own rights, with great use of cords, and up/slow tempos that help dramatize the songs. It really brings out what the artists are talking about, and add a great dynamic to the tracks.

While I don't see this album causing a revolution, I do see it helping many listeners opening their minds to think about our evolution--how we got to this point, and most importantly, to challenge our perceptions of "ourselves," the world, and the shot-callers (if-you-know-what-I-mean).
Favorite tracks:
Handlebars
Rise
Stand Up
We Are Winning
Mayday!!!
Same Thing

Flobots, Fight with Tools
Final score: 4/5, because I think the Flobots still have room to grow, in terms of polishing their lyrics, and singing.

I bought this album for handlebars, which is pretty cool...but its the only song that I like. the rest of the album is packed with political rhetoric, which is fine if your into that sort of thing and especially if you lean to the left. Handlebars has a political message but it doesnt hit you over the head, when in doubt just download the one song.