Track Listing

1. There's a War Going on for Your Mind
2. Mayday!!!
3. Same Thing
4. Stand Up
5. Fight with Tools
6. Handlebars
7. Never Had It
8. Combat
9. Rhythm Method (Move!)
10. Anne Braden
11. We Are Winning
12. Rise

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16568 in Music
• Released on: 2008-05-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Amazon.com
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."

Flobots Photos

About the Artist
2007 was a good year for the Flobots. We played Red Rocks, sold out our CD release show, charted on CMJ, and even had our album listed in Rolling Stone Magazine. Four days before the year ended, we were voted first place in the KTCL Hometown for the Holidays contest. As 2007 closed, we wondered if there was any way 2008 could top it. "In only two months, the answer seems to be pretty clear. On January 26th, Denver's KTCL put "Handlebars" in regular rotation. In the weeks following, Fight With Tools began outselling major national acts at local record stores. Word of mouth spread to California and attracted the attention of The Agency Group, who quickly added us to their roster of national hip-hop groups and punk bands. During the days leading up to our "Heart Attack" show at the Gothic, the show sold out, our CD sales hit 450 in one week, and we received phone calls from every major label. The night of the show, we felt great. We were proud to be sharing the stage with a host of talented performers, excited to be recruiting for our Street Team, impressed by the dozens of people registering to vote, and blown away by the incredible love being shown by a groundswell of friends, community organizers, and supporters. After the show, a representative from Universal Republic approached us and offered us a formal record contract. Our first reaction was to be skeptical. We had always doubted a major label would provide a proper path to accomplish our goals. Creative control and political freedom are important to us, and we did not expect a major label to offer us those things. But, in the conversations we had with this representative at The Falcon, at Denny's, and eventually at the Universal Republic office in New York, Universal offered us this and more. Not only did they want to release Fight With Tools untouched, but they were excited to help us continue to integrate music, activism, and community-building. To fully comprehend the opportunity, we had to imagine the possibilities. We imagined a world where the message of Fight With Tools is the mainstream, with the airwaves broadcasting honest statements about our nation's past violence and calling for a new vision of a fully engaged, non-violent society. We imagined a network of music fans in cities around the globe organizing to implement this vision. We imagined major recording artists rallying people to become involved in a grassroots peace movement. We imagined the full weight of the music industry mobilizing to stop the next war. We imagined all this happening while our country is already rallying for change like never before. We realized that signing with this particular label would mean adding a large array of powerful tools to our belt, and that doing so would give us a decent shot at birthing these imaginations into reality. It would mean the opportunity to fulfill our longtime dreams of creating music full-time. It would mean representing Denver on the national stage. It would mean building Street Teams in every city, and basing them on the incredible group of dedicated individuals who are piloting the Denver Street Team. Our next step was clear. We decided to sign a deal with Universal Republic Records. We take this step forward knowing that the outcome is uncertain. Our goals are ambitious, and success is in no way guaranteed, but a better world is worth fighting for, and the opportunity to fight from an international platform is a challenge for which we are more than ready. We couldn't be more excited about this opportunity. Join us!"

Customer Reviews

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.

Prius Sittin On Fourteens Son.
If you do some searching you'll find rap/hip hop is making a comeback or a throwback to when it said something. Rappers like Flobots, Eyedea & Abilities, Dead Prez, and many others are rhyming about issues, politics, and making change like the man in the mirror. Switching it up from bling bling to something with meaning. Rappers like Flobots aren't just fighting for your right to party but are fighting for your rights.
Checking out the oil in your Cadillac spilling isn't cool anymore it's just Ludacris.
The sweat dripping from people around the world isn't from skeet skeet skeeting but from stress stress stressing from watching the news we are one nation under a groove we might as well get down just for the funk of it.
Flobots aren't hardcore or negative their stuff does have a message, is honest, and not crazy complex. Wolf Blitzer will not have them on his I pod. They also follow these lyrics with good beats mixed in with some instruments via violin in some instances.
Very highly recommended.

Excellent music, outstanding message
While stationed in Afghanistan, one of my buddies suggested this group, so I ordered their CD, and must say I was impressed. Their music and message has introduced me to a new world progressive rap/rock music. I used to like Rage Against the Machine, but they sold out their message. Their message is right on and accurate. There will be some that will disagree and consider them some liberal trash, and they are entitled to their opinions. Flobots hits nearly every song with great beats and excellent lyrics. I can't wait until their next album arrives!