1. The Flag Is On Fire
2. On Your Own (But Not Alone)
3. Give It All
4. Come Back
5. Getaway Boy
6. Don't Need Your Lies
7. A song For Jonas
8. Let Me In

Bonus demo tracks
9. Cunts Don't Play Guitar
10. Spanish Rose
11. Don't Need Your Lies (video)

Being a spoiled little brat lately, I took my sweet time reviewing Vietcong Pornsürfers' work of art. Indeed, I've been waiting for this one for ages, and I want to make sure I get this one in completely before getting down to the evaluation.

If this is your first "get to know Vietcong Pornsürfers", "The Flag Is On Fire" will drag you into a whirlpool of strong, fast, energetic, punk-flavored, groovy Swedish sleaze rock. You know the type, the one that doesn't require eyeliner, lipstick or even a top, just torn-up jeans, guitars closer to the ground than to their belts, and an attitude that says "Fuck you, this is us, deal with it". Needless to say, I love it to bits...

After a first blow to the kidneys, it's straight on to "On Your Own (But Not Alone)". Ballad alert I thought, but quicker than I could think it, the opening riff killed that silly thought. Another raunchy rocker with perhaps a slightly elevated emotional chorus. By the way: this means exactly nothing, the title is practically the only thing that is not dirty, and this track is an equally big stomp on the nose as "The Flag Is On Fire".

By this time, you'll know what this band is all about. No frills, no musical show-off moments, no melodic solos, no vocal trickery, nothing of the sorts. This is late-night bar music, high-speed car music, music to punch someone's lights out to.

Another 3-chord wonder is "Give It All". As simple as it may be in its structure and riffs, the more efficient it is in delivering a message. The verses are a drag forward to the edge, while the chorus slowly balances you on top of that edge and finally kicks you straight over. This is a tension song, rather than climaxing, it just rolls over into the next bit. Well written, not a stand-out track, but a very good effort to the attentive listener.

The next song, "Come Back", is single material. The first riff speaks almost as good as words can, the lyrics touch on everyone's personal experience, and the bittersweet message of the song is presented in a way that lets you accept it without thinking it's all too soft to be rock n' roll.

Nothing much to say about "Getaway Boy", this is more of the same, with a little touch of uniqueness here and there (the bass line on this one! The Go x6 chorus!). I believe I've seen a video for a previous version of this song, and I'm sure this one does miracles on stage as well. Strong, one of the best renditions of the Vietcong Pornsürfers formula, worthy of your attention for sure.

The biggest kick in the balls on the album, is undoubtedly "Don't Need Your Lies". With the clip to match, this is how Vietcong Pornsürfers caught my eye (well, apart from their awesome band name of course).

In a few seconds, crowds will be overturned by this song. Everything is there to get heads moving, and the venom just drips at you through the singer's lyrics and the band's backing vocals. This is one mad song, I can't get enough of it!

After this powerhouse, it's down to the official ending of the album, via "A Song For Jonas", a lower-tempo groove machine that emphasizes on the vocals more than anything, and "Let Me In", the most punky tune of the record (that backing singalong bit just slaps all power metal choirs in the back of the head). A decent ending, but the Pornsürfers want more...

Bonus tracks "Cunts Don't Play Guitar" and "Spanish Rose" show a different side of the band, not necessarily a worse one, but not the one that dominates the rest of the album.

While the first one is a chest beating ode to rockstars, sounding like it's coming from a few years earlier than the actual album, the second song is a bluesy, melodic (yes, they can burst out a melody every now and then), acoustic-inspired song that would fit in any small bar show. A welcome addition to an already outstanding record.

If you can get your greasy little hands on this one, go for it, this could be one of this years best in my opinion...