Down By Law: Fly the Flag

Down By Law: Fly the Flag
Label: Go-Kart
Release Date:1999
Review Date: 2000

Down by Law have been around for a long time, and their sound has really matured. Actually, Dave Smalley has almost made them into a mod band on their latest release. They still can produce melodic punk with the best of them (“Nothing good on the Radio”, Fly the Flag”), but his influences are really showing here. Some songs are very Jam influenced, and some of the drum flourishes are very Who-esque. Dave is pictured on a scooter on the back cover, so I guess this shouldn’t surprise. Anyways, if all you want is hardcore, then this isn’t for you, but if you like smart power-pop with some punk chops, then you’ll like this.