Talking With the Taxman About Poetry

Can't think of a finer example of a person who carries on in the spirit of Woody Guthrie. He does so with the appropriate modern flair so as not to sound like a retro/nostalgia act. The fact that he is very politically active and backs his words in that way is a rare and admirable quality in a modern musician.

This record has some special alchemy. Between Billy Bragg's passionate street poet lyrics about romance and politics and the sparse, but purposeful arrangements, I was captivated throughout. With lines like, "Woops there goes another year/Woops there goes another pint of beer" how could you not be charmed? Not to mention the tasteful Johnny Marr and Kristy McColl features on "Greetings to the New Brunette". I feel like his message--equal parts cynicism and collectivism--is as relevant as ever in 2021. Really appreciated this opportunity to get to know Billy Bragg a little further than his Mermaid Avenue collaboration with Wilco. Favourite tracks: "Greetings to the New Brunette", "Levi Stubbs' Tears", "There is Power in a Union" and "Help Save the Youth of America"

The voice ground me down to a fine, lubricant grade powder

I put Greetings to the New Brunette on an infinite number of mix tapes, and if I were still attempting to woo women with mix tapes I would be putting There is Power in a Union on there. I generally enjoy Billy Bragg, yet his records are not typically ones I reach for often. This was very pleasant to revisit, but I completely undrstand why some find it off putting. 3.5*

This man can write a politically/romantically charged tune, no doubting. Top record!

3 songs in, whinging pom set to music.

Just started the first song and fuck me, is this voice gonna be there the whole time? The music is pretty good, especially the guitar... but this fucking voice Jesus Christ. Oh good, we've got a "punk poet" and it's full of politically, socially charged lyrics blah blah fucking blah. The song ideology really sums it up - durrr I don't really know what I'm on about but I want to complain aimlessly and I think I'm smarter than I really am so here's my, uh, scathing account of modern society. lol. What a loser. I gave this a 2 about halfway into the album but fuck, it just wouldn't end. And this is probably the worst voice on the project. I'm on about album 950 so at this point I should know. 1/5.

i always feel like because of his political leanings i should like old billy. but i fucking hate folk nonce music and this is 100% folk nonce territory. its the type of shit that makes me leave a pub when some arsehole starts wailing one of their songs of woe.

Our greatest ever lyricist. Genius. His first 4 albums are all sensational. With some rare artists you can remember exactly where you were when you first heard them and Billy Bragg is one of those. But Train Train is an aberration - it must have been included on the album by mistake!

I hate this fucking guy.

I didn't know quite to expect from this - I've not listened to much 1980s indie, but I'm a fan of stuff in the vague orbit of it, so I was curious. I'm sad to say I had a strong negative reaction to this album. Bragg's voice was an immediate turn-off, and this simplistic acoustic sound lives and dies on the quality of its singer. It's just so overblown and grating. Beyond that, any attempts at more complex instrumentation felt gimmicky. I'm loathe to use the word \"preachy\" - I usually don't mind artists being political, in and of itself - but this was really it. It just oozes this tone of smug condescension (even though my political views probably aren't a world away from his). Similarly, any attempts at romance or sentimentality rang hollow.

Geez

Everything about this is wonderful, from the title and the cover to his voice and his powerful lyrics. Half the songs have a practical, everyday romanticism to them and the other half protest the oppression of the working class. Every song is terrific. The Peel Sessions Album is one of my husband's favorites so I've heard Billy Bragg a lot but in a much more stripped-down setting --- just Bragg singing and accompanying himself on electric guitar. Very interesting to hear a studio album with more instruments and back-up singers. Love the violins on Train Train and the piano on Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now. There is lots of poetry to talk to the taxman about. My favorite: "Mother shakes her head and reads aloud from the newspaper As Father puts another lock on the door And reflects upon the violent times that we are living in While chatting to the wife beater next door." Oof.

I have no idea what to expect from the album title and cover. “Greetings to the New Brunette” was a nice first Billy Bragg song for me to hear. I quite liked this sweet and thoughtful love song, with its lovely guitar and backup vocals. I’m a sucker for a good train song “Train Train” had me sold when I heard the opening fiddle-whistle. I like where this album is heading. “The Marriage” opens with a nice trumpet fanfare and I’d be totally into having this play at my wedding! I love the lyrics. “Ideology” is a quite an indictment of the British Parliament. Some interesting lyrics here. I was surprised to see Bob Dylan as cowriter of this song, so I looked it up and learned Billy Bragg intentionally borrowed the melody from a Bob Dylan song. “Levi Stubbs’ Tears” tells quite a story with some pretty darn clever lyrics. It’s a pretty stripped down song (as are a lot of the songs), but very interesting to listen to. The piano is great in “Honey, I’m a Big Boy Now”. Almost expect to hear this in a saloon. It tells the story of a failed marriage from the perspective of a deserted husband. I liked this song. “There is Power in a Union” is apparently an old union song with new Billy Bragg lyrics. A good old fashioned protest song that I enjoyed. “Help Save the Youth of America” is a catchy cautionary song about the United States. Pretty impressive song that is as relevant today as in 1986. I could relate well to this song. I loved “Wishing the Days Away” as it examines the futility of a man’s life who is always wishing for a new day. Really compelling. Billy Bragg exercises his impressive storytelling skills in “The Passion” that considers the life of a pregnant girl and her trials. I love the more complex musical arrangement of “The Warmest Room.” It tells a great story of a young man in love/lust. One of my favorite songs on the album. “The Home Front” wraps up the original album on a very insightful note with a detailed look at a home life in Britain. Such great visuals and observations and critiques in this song. Another great Billy Bragg tune with the fanfare trumpets returning again. There are ten additional songs on the 2006 re-release. The songs are an interesting addition and I enjoyed them although I think I will not necessarily listen to them every time I revisit this album. Some pretty interesting things there including remakes of Woody Guthrie’s “Deportees” and Smokey Robinson’s “The Tracks of My Tears” (that was a surprise for sure). I really enjoyed this album. It’s got plenty of sharp lyrical observations wrapped in a really interesting package of music.

Loved this as an 11yo, due to Smash Hits regularly featuring the Bard of Barking for some reason! Exactly the musician we needed in the Thatcher years, and I for one think his voice is perfect for the material. Shirley!

“Talking with the Taxman about Poetry” by Billy Bragg (1986) Stylistically, this is the closest thing to Dylanesque that I’ve ever heard coming out of England. Not in the same league, but headed in that direction. Some very good art on this album. I would have bought this album, but iTunes jacked the price by adding a bunch of bonus crap. Not playing that game. Now, Billy Bragg simply can’t sing. And musically, there’s little to compensate for this weakness. His vocal flubs alternate between distractingly irritating and irritatingly distracting. He needs a little backup. Lyrics, however, are very well crafted, with some true flashes of brilliance. And, there are some seriously engaging musical arrangements in his love songs. But sadly, when he gets into politics (“Ideology”, “Power in a Union”, Help Save the Youth of America”), his verse becomes clunky, shallow, and preachy, with canned melodies and chord structures pulled out of the vertical file marked “Recycle Bin”. And by the way, Mr. Bragg (“Help Save the Youth of America”), we’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: We don’t need the British telling us how to do our politics. The “Youth of America” can hold their fire until they see the whites of British eyes. But the next time you need to invade Normandy, give us a call. 4/5

At times he sounds endearing, at other times he sounds like he's just shouting.

Greetings to the new brunette- perfectly pleasant, feel like it could stand out little bit more 👍 Train train- guitar is fantastic on this The marriage-meh, I don’t think this a hot take Ideology- bob dylan wrote the melody, no wonder it’s meandering. Yet another anti politician song, lyrics fine Levi Stubbs tears- great song, nice storytelling and great instrumental 👍 Honey, I'm a big boy now- good for her, he seemed like a man child. Like music hall feel There Is Power in a Union-apt for our times lol Help save the youth of America-amazing song, criticising patronising fundraiser songs, and very catchy👍 Wishing the days away- cute pleasant song The passion - poignant, atmospheric song👍 The warmest room- upbeat fun song 👍 The home front -nothing has changed in 35 yrs I guess :) land of hope and glory Only listened to songs for original albums. Felt like the political songs are still apt now, which is kinda sad but something didn’t really click with me about them. Took a while for me to get into the music. Some really good songs in here, but mostly just alright 3/5

I guess I’ll be the outlier here and bring down the rank. If you took these songs and added distortion and drums the criticism would probably be, “What’s the point of this music when The Clash already exists?” To which I would say, “Yeah, but it’s The Clash.” And by that I just mean why choose to be less exciting, ya know? It’s such an intentional decision to go the solo folk singer route as opposed to a full band and I get it - I know dude has the Woodie Guthrie thing - but it feels more intellectually or ideologically driven than emotionally so. Which resulted in a listening experience that, despite loving this guy’s voice and liking a lot of the lyrics, I had no real emotional engagement with. In fact, when it got to the second disc and the mandolins came in I could not hit the stop button fast enough. If he ever puts out a punk record (and maybe he has) I’m there. Until then, it’s just not for me.

I’m sure I’ll be shown to brag gibly, but this was a tough listen. Can respect the messages, but what a slog

I have never listened to Billy Brag before, but I am digging this. I am adding a couple of these tunes to my regular rotation

This is so completely my shit it’s unreal, a new favorite. I thought I was going to dock a point for Billy’s voice at first, but by the end it had grown on me a ton. He isn’t a great singer but he has that raw, earnest quality that I love in folk music especially. I can hear his influence on one of my other favorites, Frank Turner, so clearly.

good english singer/songwriter. activist and romantic to a point. really enjoyed and could see myself being inspired by.

This was actually really good. The music was good, and the lyrics were interesting, or painted a picture, or resonated. "And marriage is when we admit Our parents were right" "When the world falls apart some things stay in place" "Our place in History is as Clock watchers, old timers, window shoppers" Standout Tracks - Greetings to the New Brunette - The Marriage - Levi Stubb's Tears - Wishing the Days Away - The Passion The album overall was great

NEEEEEWWWW WWWWAAAAVE. I like his ridiculous accent. I like how loose and shambolic this album feels

Speaking to the taxman about poetry can go either one of two ways: become a depressing bore in which no progress would be made at all or an enlightening experience that could benefit both parties entirely and make one's day. In this latter scenario, Billy Bragg does that, then some and more. Using the album platform to fully wear his heart on his sleeve when it comes to love and politics, Billy becomes one with not only his arrangements but the cover versions of classic songs on the second disc. The second disc, with renditions of Gram Parsons' Sin City and the Miracles' Tracks of My Tears, helps best illustrate Billy's pure talent in making what was familiar feel new again. May there be power in unions forevermore.

Unabashedly love this. At Reading Festival one year I had given up watching Blur because they were dogshit and Damon Albarn was a stumbling mess. Instead I dodged into a tent just in time to see Billy Bragg get going. What a performance! Great, impassioned performances and anecdotes that roamed from overtly political to romantic. And that's what I hear in this album, too. Yeah, 'Power in the Union' (comrades! Does this not warm the blood?) is the big one but there's so much here that is honest, big hearted and not without craft. I love Bragg's voice, too. None of this mid-lantic bobbins, despite Bragg's Amerophiliac tendencies (at least, where music is concerned).

I was so excited to get this album today because I'm a huge Billy Bragg fan. This album was probably my first exposure to his music. I don't know how Billy Bragg has pulled it off so well, but he has managed to thrive for 40 years as a folk singer with a punk sensibility. No one else really was making music like this in the 80s, but it was as natural for us to listen to Bragg as it was to listen to the Clash or the Smiths. Bragg mixes the personal and the political in surprising ways, but it works really well. This is music of a young man with a point of view, but also the music of a young man simply trying to figure out what he wants in life. Bragg's songs are crisp, concise, with simple arrangements. He's really one of those once in a generation songwriters, with lyrics that are honest and deeply heartfelt. The political songs are strident and sometimes downright acidic, but Bragg balances that with storytelling that is incredibly intimate and affecting. Bragg's not a conventional singer and he may grate on some, but he delivers a line with an earnestness, pathos and humor that really sticks with you. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Levi Stubbs' Tears, The Warmest Room, The Passion, Greetings to the New Brunette, The Home Front, Wishing the Days Away, Help Save the Youth of America, There Is Power in a Union, Ideology, The Marriage, Train Train, Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now

I love this album and Billy Bragg is a true troubadour. Who else can mix lovelorn Ballads with protest songs with such conviction and perfection

I really enjoyed this. Political, powerful, honest.

An easy 5 for me. I loved this album in college, recognizing that Billy sings either about love or left leaning causes. Though i don't necessarily align with his fervor, it well executed with melody and earnestness that makes this a very compelling album. I enjoy it and can listen to it over and over. Levi Stubbs' and New Brunette are fabulous.

Sparse and delightful. Ideology is brilliant. The Passion is beautiful. As is the Home Front. Billy Bragg is necessary.

This was incredible. A real gem I didn’t know about.

A really great album about life, love, politics, and everything in between. 5/5. Favorite Track: The Marriage

Wow, that was some crazy awesome music I’ve never heard of before!

Loved this as an 11yo, due to Smash Hits regularly featuring the Bard of Barking for some reason! Exactly the musician we needed in the Thatcher years, and I for one think his voice is perfect for the material. Shirley!

It’s like the La’s meets the Clash, with a little Neil Young for ‘flavour’. I kinda dig it. It’s the accent throwing me off. Like it’s just country/folk, but I typically imagine those genres as Americana. But this guy is CLEARLY from Essex, and it sounds weirdly dissonant. Whether that’s fair or not, I dunno, “It’s just how I feel”, as Mike Birbiglia might say. But it’s not bad, not at all. Songs are melodic and would sound amazing sung drunkenly in a large crowd pissed on pints.

It's great that he's not afraid to be relentlessly political and socially conscious. "Idealogy" is a song still relevant, especially the day after the US anaugaration. "Levi Stubbs Tears " is a classic. Billy's voice can wear on you after a while and the production is sparce, I prefer the piano arrangements to the guitar whcih I find harsh at times. Thoughtfully crafted lyrics. It would be nice if some of these got covered (as Dylan's have)

Great songwriting and I love the minimal guitar tones; usually clean with a tad bit of chorus. Regional melody influences give a real sense of "folk". May have to add this to the rotation.

Oh my sweet jesus, some of that early folk punk. I eat it all up.

Genre: Folk Rock 3/5 Quick pop quiz: did you know Billy Bragg was British? Did you know he's a vocal advocate for left-leaning causes in our society? Well, you'll soon find out, pretty much as soon as Talking with the Taxman About Poetry starts. It's the 80s, and we're still singing with traditional melodies, still locking ourselves in a room with nothing but acoustic guitars and a notebook of political lyrics, still trying to craft the perfect folk rock sound. While this is far from perfect, it wasn't bad, and was fairly easy listening for the most part. Billy Bragg's vocals are truly some of the most British sounding I've ever heard. He's not affecting it, I'm assuming, but it's so cockney and twangy that it's like a man straight out of Mississippi singing a country album. It detracts from the music a bit, but not the overall message, as Bragg advocates for youth empowerment and political radicalization in his own musical way. Help Save the Youth of America was an interesting look into how British folks viewed the state of American affairs, essentially hoping that the US can save itself from the Reagan era. Other than that, plenty of British accent, plenty of acoustic guitar and strings, but nothing else that's incredibly interesting. Decent.

So as an Irishman, if I was hanging out in an English pub, and Billy was the entertainment – I’d be fine with that, though I would continue my conversations with friends et al… Nothing wrong with this album at all, just not really my bag – especially some of the protest lyrics… Now IF he had been an Irish singer/song-writer, and had written about the English oppression of the Irish, then perhaps I would have enjoyed it a bit more… I did enjoy “Greetings To The New Brunette” – especially the contributions of Kristy MacColl (Collaborator w/ The Pogues) & Johnny Marr (The Smiths), as that was one of the best tracks, and “There Is Power In A Union” was pretty decent as well… After a while though, all of the songs sorta just ran together – some better than others, but nothing really special for me… Fairly well-done for what he was going for, but just a 2 for me…

Well, that was interesting. Felt like it should’ve been the soundtrack to Broadway play drama? Stance? Not sure what kind of play but felt like I had to really concentrate on the music to get anything out of it ….

Incredible

There's power in a union! Älskar protestsånger

I’d never heard of Billy Bragg until I started this project. However, one of my first several albums to review was his collaboration with Wilco on Mermaid Avenue, which I absolutely loved (and have been meaning to revisit). I’ve been reading quite a bit of music nonfiction this year, and through that, I’ve learned a bit more about Billy Bragg. From what I’ve read, he seems like a really awesome guy: hated Thatcher, loves unions, stands against racism, etc. I’m really excited to check out this album and see what it’s like. Lyrically, this album was exactly what I thought it would be, but it also far exceeded my expectations. The political tone of the lyrics was exactly what I expected, but they still packed an incredible punch. “Ideology” was really great, and I loved how Bragg criticized the British government for only furthering their own interests instead of serving the people they’re supposed to represent. The lyrics of “There Is Power in a Union” were incredibly stirring, and this pro-union song is the perfect anthem for British workers in the eighties. “Help Save the Youth of America” was probably my favorite song on the album lyrically, especially the lines ‘And the cities of Europe have burned before, and they may yet burn again. And if they do I hope you understand that Washington will burn with them’ in the closing verse. As we see the rise of far-right politics around the world, this closing was incredibly haunting. “The Home Front” was great too, and I thought its theme of the passing of generations was the perfect way to close the album. I really loved this album from a musical standpoint as well. Johnny Marr’s guitar playing on “Greetings to the New Brunette” was fantastic, as was his appearance on “The Passion.” The trumpet and flugelhorn arrangements that were used on several songs as well, especially on “The Home Front.” The music definitely had a distinct feel of the eighties, but it never made the album feel dated, nor did it take away from the message. I really enjoyed Billy Bragg’s vocals as well. His voice is so distinct, and I’m glad he kept his English dialect, as it helped create an authentic feel for this album. Kristy MacColl’s backing vocals were really good too, and I was happy to see that she was featured on this album. This album was really great, and I felt like I got a lot out of listening to it. I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed it necessarily, due to themes discussed on it, but it felt like an important part of history. I know Billy Bragg has been incredibly influential to the intersection of art and politics, and it was really interesting to listen to an album from an artist and a political landscape that I’ve read a lot about recently. I don’t know that I’d be quick to listen to this again since it’s not a particularly fun album, but I thought it was really great and noteworthy.

yoooooo. so good.

great album - big fan of Billy Bragg

A very Sixth Form take on the personal/political, but I’d put this on any teenager’s listening list alongside the Offspring or Green Day angry stuff. Big nostalgia for me as a leftie teenager in the 80s.

Protest songs by the protest singer.

Grata sorpresa. La siguiente vez prestaré atención a las letras.

Grata sorpresa. La siguiente vez prestaré atención a las letras.

Something about this album speaks to me. I think his attitude about becoming an adult really works for me. The music is also a quite beautiful at times.

It's all too easy to whack out five stars for Taxman. But it still stacks up today. I love the progression from one SHOUTY bloke and his amp to something a little more considered. It was almost a Dylan electric moment at the time when Marr and Kirsty came on board. There's almost a warm up for this album as Bill prepares you for the big political hitters. Greetings, Train Train, The Marriage and then BOOM. You're in there with Ideology. What follows is a mix of the personal and the political. It gets very warm and fuzzy towards the close. Quite an achievement, quite a ride from start to finish. Energy, ideas and youth. We need this once again.

I have loved Billy Bragg since hearing Life a Riot with Spy vs Spy. I can fully understand that his voice might not be everyone's cup of tea but his lyrics tell suck great stories with a wonderful imagery and a hint of whimsy..."How can you lie there and think of England, When you don't even know who's in the team" ...sublime!!

Great, great album.

Bragg is a treasure. His sound isn't what I want every day but the way he carries forward the folk vision makes my heart sing.

en af mine bedste opdagelser so far. lyder som et sweet spot mellem The Jam, Elvis Costello og lidt Buzzcocks med folk-indflydelse. Fantastisk album

Billy Bragg är ju Billy Bragg.

Great folk music, with heavy punk vibes.

I like Billy Bragg. Though I’m not overly fond of the political stuff. Mermaid Avenue is my favorite. California Stars

Loved it, a bit odd for this list, but the album sounds great and the lyrics were awesome.

And isn't this exactly what you want from folk singers? Either songs you can sing by the fire, or songs to sing while gloriously dismantling the constructs of capitalism?

5 stars. 6 maybe.

I liked it

I listened to the Bard from Barking a lot when I was in my twenties. Love the accent, love the message. This is one of his best albums. There are only a few artists of whom I have attended more concerts than Billy Bragg.

He do be spittin there is power in a union

intimate political folk that Bragg plays as no one

I love the lyric "How can you lie there and think of England when you don't even know who's in the team". This is good stuff; I think I prefer Billy Bragg with a band to his earlier stuff with just him and his guitar. A strong four, but I'm raising it by a point because of the presence of the wonderful Kirsty MacColl.

Funny how the stuff he sings about on the political ones hasn't changed. Well, not funny really. Bit of a ballache to be honest.

I think that while listening to this you can hear how it would directly influence future artists. I hear Neutral Milk Hotel for sure, and I can imagine Radiohead. I like the idea of folk, which is so homely, mixed with punk. I loved this album. It feels energetically warm and wistful, with undercurrents of anger and passion. Like a glass of lemonade.

I really like this!

Great!

Never listened to Billy Bragg before despite hearing loads about him. Singing style reminds me of Morrissey and the folk-punk thing is right up my street. Definitely hear the influence on Frank Turner. Would like to hear more, particularly if it leans into the punkier side of things. Not sure if id become a huge fan but just rating this album, it's great. 4.5

I forgot how good this was. I hadn't heard the extended version before, and the extra side doesn't add a whole lot. But damn, side 1 is fantastic. Listened 3 times.

a voice i would usually find to be a turn off but oddly works for me, and the musical backing is by and large gorgeous. my political sympathies also make me inclined to like the bastard, and after all I'm always a sucker for this folk shit

Awesome!

Grata sorpresa. La siguiente vez prestaré atención a las letras.

A true poet, a political force and a musical delight. This sums up a different side of the 1980s, where the working man, as per usual, was subjugated. BB addressed this in his work and captured the Zeitgeist. I still adore this even though the world is worse, it encapsulates a time where we though it could change for the better.

This is fantastic! My love for punk and folk mixed together. Love how the attitude mixes well with the soft nature of the music.

The Dylan of my generation, but better.

cool

Sweet, empathetic, funny and socialist men will always win in my book and so it goes with Billy Bragg. I love how he wears his politics on his sleeve and keeps his Irishness at the front and center of his work. This was the album in needed in this political climate to remind me of the good fight.

Buenísimo. Minimalista. La voz del Billy es una mezcla de the cure, los ramones, Noel Gallagher y el cantate de ataque77 jajaja. Está el tema de Jackass. El album no tiene batería. En general solo acompañando con la guitarra, los temas son buenos sino te aburris al tercer tema. El primer disco es un 5. El disco 2 es un 3. pero son 22 temas asi que se merece el 5.

What a big surprise this was, absolutely loved the sound, reminded me a lot of Frank Turner

Such a blast from the past.

I adored this record. I love its protest spirit and combo of folk and punk sounds. Not about of records like this one out there.

Not even so strong musically.. but, I mean, there is power in a union ✊🏿

Great stuff. Reminds me a bit of Frank Turner. Love the songs and messages.

Billy Bragg is folk-punk. He sings a lot about left-wing politics. This is one of his less well-known albums. Apparently he played with Wilco for a while?

My streak of misjudging album covers continues. I was expecting a punk album here. I don't really even know how I would classify this, it's a bit rockabilly, it's a bit dancehall, I guess this would be the Alt-Rock of the 80s. Very much its own thing, and it's super Bri'ish. The more I'm listening to this I can just picture this guy in a pub belting it out. You wouldn't see Billy play a stadium, you'd see him in the pub, it's that kind of vibe. It took a few songs but I got into this album, definitely dug it. There's a lot going on, and it's hard to pin down but it's got a lot of character.

Album #50. Unknown entity to me. Heard the name before, but that it’s. No idea what to expect aside from the album name and cover. Let’s see what we’ve got. Wow, love how this is starting off with Greetings to the New Brunette. Dude and an acoustic guitar, sounding essentially like a live track. Great melody. Heartfelt. Really happy to see the album hold up from start to finish. Love this. Honest. Intimate. Stripped down musical arrangements are one of my favorite styles and this album does this so well. Great album...I'll be coming back.

Iznenadilo me odmah prve četiri pjesme, da su sve dost dobre i to zaredom. Nikad čuo za Billya, ali eto drago mi je da je bio kvalitetan što čujem iz ovog albuma.

Young

Love a bit of Billy Bragg. Simple, but very effective. He is a great wordsmith

I like Billy Bragg’s willingness to take on Thatcher era politics and be so unabashedly pro-union and pro-working class. The tone of this album seems to oscillate between politics and sad country-ish songs about lost love. The music itself is simple but I think his lyrics are worth highlighting because of their conversational storytelling with a moral message nature. If anything, this album is an I portent document if the anxieties of Billy Bragg’s Britain.

Music that captures the UK working class. Pretty good!

I really enjoyed this album, I looked it up and 'folk-punk' seems a perfect description. Bragg is unashamedly left-wing and his songs are full of meaning and purpose. I particularly like the line "How can you lie there and think of England // When you don't even know who's in the team" in Shirley, which I now note features the legend Johnny Marr.

The taxman isn't interest Billy lad, he's into levies and impositions and assessments and such, not poetry you soft sod. If you insist on communicating with the taxman, why don't you play him one of your nice punk infused political folk songs instead of droning on about Keats and Ginsberg and such? Good lad.

So, I wasn't sure what I was expecting prior to giving this album a listen. I'm not a punk fan, but I really enjoyed this album. It does sound a lot like other music within this genre that I've heard before, though. Highlights were Greetings To The New Brunette, Train Train, The Marriage, Levi Stubbs' Tears and Wishing The Days Away, but I liked every song. 4/5 stars.