Fight With Tools

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Editorial reviews

Album Description
Formed as a cohesive alternative organism in 2005, the FLOBOTS `good-fight' mythology can be traced via Denver's underground vines and creative community of the late `90s when various members enlivened each others' gigs and creative events, setting the charge that would eventually power up the band's contagious and rollicking rock/rap pedigree. Their rousing live show, seasoned by classically trained viola player Mackenzie Robert's innovative playing, sparked an impressive undertow of across-the-board support (including both coasts and off-the-grid territories such as Nebraska and Utah) as the group honed its glowing activist edge with a refreshingly positive message and bristling musicianship.

The prescient "Handlebars," currently holding down a coveted `Top request' slot at several key radio stations as well as being the Most Added at Alternative Radio, has placed FLOBOTS among the most buzzed-about newcomers in rock and rap circles. "'Handlebars' was written in the same way the group kind of blossomed," says Jonny 5. "I had a friend a few years ago who asked me if I ever tried to ride my bike with no handlebars. I hadn't, so I tried it. Got to thinking about all the other things I could do - we could do. The song came so fast to me I actually called my mom's answering machine to record the lyrics and make sure I got it all down. Of course it's also about how even our best intentions are laden with some sort of opposite. We like to think that FLOBOTS are about directing that positive energy into real change."

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-08-17 rating:
Not what I expected, but not bad!
An eclectic mix of songs. A couple are not great, but most are a lot of fun, and the Progressively minded lyrics give you much to think about!

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review by: date: 2008-08-14 rating:
The Greatest Album of the Millenium
This album is not only great, it is inspiring. I have listened to this album, probably, 100 times this summer. Everyone I have exposed to this album has purchased it. I cannot give a higher recommendation than this!

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review by: date: 2008-07-30 rating:
Exciting, moving and politically charged
I'm usually very hesitant purchasing an album based off one song when the genre (rap in this case) isn't one I usually listen to. Generally speaking, I'll love the one song and not listen to the rest of the album. In this case, though, I'm glad I broke my rule and picked up Fight With Tools because "Handlebars" isn't the only terrific song on this album.

Flobots reminds me of a couple different bands. They have hints of the politically charged Rage Against the Machine, but are more optimistic. There's the hornwork and a tinge of punk of some 90s ska bands, like Real Big Fish, only more hard-biting. There's the meticulous and nicely flowing rap like a lot of hip-hop artists today, only with more important things to say. But not only are there specific inspirations at work here, but a multitude of genres from rock to jazz to soul to hip-hop and beyond.

When the introduction opens, I realized that Flobots was presenting a thesis and that the rest of the album would be in support of their point. In fact, the words "There's A War Going On For Your Mind," as the opening states, are repeated a couple times throughout to stress this point. "Mayday!" starts wonderfully, adding a nice violin to the mix, an unexpected addition but a great one. "Same Things"'s jazz roots show through, with a kind of old school feel in new school shoes. From here, the CD takes off, but it's the last three songs that really pack the punch.

The ending starts with the song "Anne Braden," about the advocate of racial equality. Interspersed through this touching song are audio clips of Anne speaking about her thoughts on race. It creates a very introspective and moving song about her life and the the trials she and similar individuals went through. Her story is a good one.

Then we move to "We Are Winning," a plea for the people to become involved and active. It also tries to present a different picture; a different idea than ones crammed down our throat by showing the opposite of what we usually hear, with lyrics like, "Rival gangsters sit down to plan an after school program / A religious fanatic posts footage of an interfaith service project." They close with "Rise," which continues the plea of activisim.

All in all a very good album. Do I agree with everything professed in this album? No. Some of it steers a bit outside my scope and, sometimes, comfort zone. But isn't that what the best material should do? Take you outside your comfort zone and provoke thought? That's exactly what we have here; Fight With Tools not only provokes, but does so in an intelligent and witty fashion. But it's not all serious. Even if you strip away the political connotations, the music is what first hooked me. It's been a long time since I've heard music that's daring, different and similar all at the same time. A very good CD and one I heartily recommend.

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review by: freedom is my B!tch date: 2008-07-28 rating:
Great music, good message, bad direction...
The way they combine contemporary beats with traditional instrumentation is fresh. Musically they get an A+. Songs like "Anne Braden" and "We Are Winning" mix in elderly female's talking, which gives these tracks an avant-garde edginess. "We Are Winning" by the way is the best song on the album!

I also agree with half of what they say in their lyrics. They are very much anti-Geroge W. Bush, and rightfully so. He was a failure, the war in Iraq was a sham and a disgrace to us.

But their solution to the problems is juvenile. They have chosen the soft-core socialism of the Democratic party. Bureaucratic programs like universal health-care and welfare.

America needs less government. Of every kind. Every program. Every department. We need LESS not more. The bureaucracies are making this country fall apart. Fight against the status quo, YES! Fight against government corruption, YES! But fight to make the government bigger in hopes that it will enrich our lives? NO!

We need more bands like Flobots, sans the socialist message. We need some Libertarian Flobots. That would make a great American album with a great American message.


review by: date: 2008-07-27 rating:
Entertains and inspires, but does not enlighten
The album opens up brashly- "there is a war going on for your mind". Fans of the single handle-bars should be wary of this album. That single is sneaky in a way. Judging by it, you would not expect an album just as political as any by fellow rap-rock group Rage Against the Machine. However, what you get when you give the disc a spin is undeniably political. This will more than likely turn a large number of people off, as the political views expressed are what I would consider "Democratic Socialist" or "Progressive Libertarian". The ideas expressed range from "don't let them assassinate Hugo Chavez", "bring the troops home," and "more money for public welfare" to messages as simple and dumbfounding as "legalize weed".

I agree with only one of the above statements. Still, I think the album is a success. I can forgive Flobots for some of their more immature political views because the album succeeds in the most important area- it really does get your mind moving. You may not agree with the message the members of Flobots express, but they make the truth that "There is a war going on for your mind" very clear. Whether their proposed solutions work or not is not as important in comparison. In the end, the Flobots fail to win this war on your mind that they speak of. However, the average listener will still be mentally activated by the provocativeness of the lyrical content. Those who already have strong political views are bound to react to this album strongly one way or another. Those who have not taken an interest in politics will feel that they have been missing something very dire going on, and will more than likely be made more aware by the album..

Flobots have hit a winning formula here- an intelligent, thought provoking message accompanied by REAL instruments playing music that almost ANYONE who likes rock instrumentation OR rap beats can appreciate. You may not love Flobots and you may not hate them, but you will undoubtedly feel something. You will not forget who they are once you've heard them, as the intensity of their message will rub you one way or another.

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