Reviews (page 3 of 7)
This is like Folk Punk. It’s pretty relaxing to listen to. Solid 3.5 so rounding up.
Pretty good. Activist lyrics, interesting folk / punk combi, but I'm missing a wow factor
Conocí a Billy Bragg gracias a Wilco, debido a que colaboró en los proyectos "Mermaid Ave.", donde revivieron canciones del difunto y legendario cantante comunista Woody Guthrie. Ahora, escuchando uno de sus discos solistas, logro comprender mejor su acercamiento con la cultura trovadora. Con toques intensos de punk en sus guitarras, Bragg nos recuerda los orígenes disruptivos del folk, su cercanía con las personas y sus reflexiones del día a día de la clase trabajadora. Un excelente trabajo, que si bien no es esencial para entender la evolución del pop, es un estandarte del espíritu trovador anglosajón que nunca desaparecerá del catálogo musical global.
Fav: Help The Youth Of America Least Fav: The Marriage My only prior knowledge of Billy Bragg was his debut album which was ok at best, so I was expecting to dislike this if it was anything like that. I’m happy to say that this is SO much better, so much so that I was really struggling whether to give it a 4 or 5. My rule is that there can be 1 song that’s not great and still be a 5 star album as long as the song isn’t offensively bad, and as much as I tried to I couldn’t justify giving it a 5 but this is by far my strongest 4 to date. Hope he appears more on this list
This album was very moving and complitative. Lyrics aside, it had me reflecting on some of the saddest and happiest times of my life. The lyrics themselves were great and really represented some positive political messages. Some of the songs were less interesting than others, but all around this was a good listen. Though I doubt I'd ever have the emotional bandwidth to listen again. 3.5/5 -> 4/5
Better that the polemics might suggest
Good not great. Like not love. 4
I’m the right context this could be incredible
Interesting. Made me want to listen to Frank Turner. 3.5.
Now THIS is music! Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
Bragg is an interesting artist, and demands another listen or two.
Enjoyed it more than expected! Also lovely to hear a proper Bri'ish accent belting away considering I just left the place. Thanks Billy Bragg for keeping the homesickness away a bit longer
4.0
I was ready to give this a 5. Greetings to the New Brunette, Ideology, Levi Stubb's Tears, and The Passion are brilliant. A well-crafted story, pitched very well with the music and guitar/mandolin. But the second half of the album isn't fantastic. He's not half political, and the same message repackaged provides diminishing returns. The other album on the list so far with his involvement, Mermaid Avenue (with Wilco) is fantastic. 5 for the first half of the album, 3 for the rest of it. Cracking artist.
Love me some political songs
The accent got to me after a few songs, but a very strong start to the album. Will need to check out more.
"Talking with the Taxman About Poetry" is the third album by English singer, songwriter, musician, actor and political activist Billy Bragg. Folk punk! OK, I'll agree there. More musicians were added than his previous work including Kirsty MacColl (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitarist) and Ken Craddick (piano). The album received critical acclaim. "Greetings to the New Brunette" opens with an acoustic guitar. I think the Gin Blossoms lifted this open for "Jealousy." Nice vocals by Bragg repeating "Shirley" as he describes a working class guy falling in love with a good girl. Kirsty MacColl on backing vocals and Jonnhy Marr gives an echoing guitar solo towards the end. Braggs echoes Bob Dylan's "Crimes of Freedom" in "Ideology." All politicians are crooks, get rich and laugh at the common peoples' ideologies. Clever lyrics highlight "Levi Stubbs' Tears" as Bragg tells a story of a woman with years of domestic abuse, abandonment and injury comforted by the music of the Four Tops and singer Levi Stubbs. A slashing guitar, tambourine, flugelhorn and trumpet. A great horn fadeout outro. Bragg kicks out anthem and takes a political stand with "There is Power in a Union." The song is based on George Frederick Root's "Battle Cry of Freedom." A slide guitar and loud chanting. Who will defend the workers from unjust laws! Hey, I read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" too. Bragg keeps the statements going in "Help Save the Youth of America." A slashing guitar which reminded me of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away." it's a about the apathetic feeling of the youth of America about politics....their cities will burn too. I agree to some extent on that. The strength of this album is compelling and clever lyrics, not so much when Bragg went strictly political but when he told stories of the down and out and their relationships to politics, marriage and families. The music was mostly acoustic and electric guitars with strategic uses of horns, violins, percussion and backing vocals. It's another artist this week where it was the first dive (except "Mermaid Avenue") into their music. This is a solid album and motivates me to selectively seek out more Billy Bragg.
Very english
I like the Scottish accent in here. I'm enjoying this more than yesterday's Rolling Stones. Really liking this! Getting 4 stars!
Folk punk. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
Very fitting listening to this on the first day with a Labour government
Workers of the world unite to give this album 4 stars
I think billy bragg makes music that just hits in some type of way, 4
Really enjoyed this (although the extra disc on the reissue started off with a big left turn into C&W stuff, which was odd). Levi Subbs' Tears is a fantastic song, and the rest is strong, too.
Peak 80s political folk music. Quite enjoyable, the lyrics are poetic and tell a story.
Billy Bragg was 29 when this album was released, yet sounds as though he’s lived a lifetime. These songs are REAL, raw and spare.
Billy Bragg is a British singer songwriter that sings about politics and love. His political songs are socialist songs - he praises unions and social consciousness. His love songs are as passionate, and also carried by his strong, clear voice. Talking with the Taxman... is Bragg's third album, and in it, he added more supporting elements to the "solo singer and guitar player" formula of his earlier work. This is a great collection of inventive, engaging modern folk songs. Bragg demonstrated that a singer and a guitar is still enough to make successful pop songs.
Hadn't heard this one but as a fan of BB's poiltical "fuck you" attitude it defintitely didn't disappoint. Nice arrangements.
Favorite songs: Therr is Power in a Union, Greetings to the New Brunette, Help Save the Youth of America
I have absolutely NO IDEA why I enjoy this. It's almost everything I'd say I have no interest in. Folk singer-songwriter type music about politics in a country I've never been to with a punk flair. But it's great! I can't put my finger on it. Bizarre. Maybe I'm just in a good mood.
Great left-wing musician.
Before this listen, I had thought this album was just alright but not sure why it was so essential. But now I do realise why, Billy Bragg has a unique voice and great lyricism. Also loved the guitar playing. I enjoyed this one a lot
Billy Bragg is forever a musical hero to me because of the "A New England" song. So I do prefer his debut album "Life's a Riot with Spy vs Spy". Overall this album is maybe a bit stronger. Great punk folk songs in the tradition of Woody Guthrie. An album full of determination and with a mission.
Liked it
Cool and political. I enjoyed listening to this a lot.
While the union songs don't really gel with me, i think Billy's pretty good writing about human relationships to. I have this one on vinyl from back in the day, and have always loved Greetings to the New Brunette.
Blind album and artist. Pleasantly surprised and such a wholesome album.
Aldrig hørt en Billy Bragg plade før, det var lige mig! Forstår godt hvordan han endte med at lave musik med Wilco.
4-
I was a little skeptical going into it, but ended up enjoying this way more than I would have thought. Really fun album, good/funny lyrics, and a strong vibe throughout. Also, shoutout for a strong pro-union message.
Politics, love, family. A brilliant album. New to me as a full album, although I’ve had plenty of time with his songs. Much enjoyed
Fascinating to be able to hear The Smiths, Titus Andronicus, Oasis, and Neutral Milk Hotel within one artist. True commitment to Folk Punk earlier than I knew it existed. Smart, well written, and eccentrically charismatic, a very interesting listen. The bonus disc largely skippable, but is more of an extension to the original album release
‘The Other Brunette’ has long been a favorite. And the sentiments expressed in ‘Ideology’ are just as true today. His voice is immediately recognizable and the music is jangly.
Billy ain’t gonna win any singing competitions. However, his writing is top drawer.
A Brit taking over folk music, and doing a very good job of it.
Beautiful and thought-provoking. It'll always amaze me that Billy Bragg never became a household name.
I like it. Way better than some of the other British indie we’ve heard.
No sé quién es Billy bragg pero está guapo
Strong overall, but full ticks below Workers Playtime (the full apotheosis of early Bragg) and Don't Try This At Home (a very different sort of record). "New Brunette" is far and away the best song here and belongs in the first rank of BB songs, of which there are a truly impressive number.
Very relaxing.
Favorite Tracks: Greetings to the New Brunette There Is Power in a Union Help Save the Youth of America
Enjoyed listening to most of this album
Ah the busker in your living room. Its all good fun despite some of the earnest political stuff. There are some nifty hooks and one liners. Mixed in are some love songs and the off kilter vocal and delivery make it quite compelling.
We often see longevity in artists, but their relevance is arguable most of the time. Billy has been relevant for 40 years. Great album!
Didn't know him, liked this a lot.
Billy is on our side
Strong lyrics supported by great music. Billy Bragg really had some good things going on at this time.
A catalogue of fine vocals and instrumental, interesting and engaging!
Hard to argue with stuff written and sung with real conviction
Once in a great while, life gives you an album exactly when you need it. Today, for me, that was this album. It helped haul me out of a personal and professional malaise that had been hanging over me for a couple of weeks. I can't put my finger on exactly why, beyond that Bragg has always been someone whose worldview I largely share, but it was just what I needed.
Punky
Very enjoyable. I could listen to more of this.
Didn´t know this musician. A pleasure
I'm generally here for Billy Bragg. He's a great songwriter and is quite skilled in getting his points across in an entertaining and artistic way. This is not exception to the rule. Sure, it's preachy AF but that's what a Bragg joint's gonna net you, you know? The songs are still great and the performances skillful. Minus one for the sermons but a great album overall.
I wasn't sure I'd like this when it started. "Folk punk", eh? Odd combo, but it won me over. The folk songwriting delivered with an additional dose of energy was a fun combo. A fantastic poet, this Mr. Bragg.
Занимљиво 7/10
Good listening, nicely structured songs, great lyrics.
Overall this is my kind of music though I struggled with the vocals. That mandolin hit just right on the instrumental of There Is Power in a Union.
Actually pretty good! I liked this style of music and I especially liked how political the whole album was. I like political songs (as long as they are for the correct side lol)
Love the music, love the politics
i say union, u say power
"Talking With the Taxman About Poetry" von Billy Bragg ist ein tiefgehendes Album der 80er. Die Stimme in "Greetings to the New Brunette" erinnert mich lebhaft an den charakteristischen Sound dieser Dekade. "Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now" beginnt mit einem nostalgischen Anklang, der mich an die typischen Melodien der Oliver Onions erinnert. Am meisten beeindrucken mich die Texte, die von leidenschaftlichen Protestsongs bis zu zarten romantischen Liedern reichen, was das Album in meiner Welt zu einem vielschichtigen, aber auch emotionalen Werk macht.
I was late discovering Billy Bragg, so I wasn’t familiar with this album. What a treat! I appreciated the light touch taken on production. Just folk music being folksy. 4.0
I never folk punk was a genre, those seemed like oxymorons to me, nonetheless, this was pretty good. 4/5
This is a solid album. I like Billy Bragg a lot but for some reason don't find myself listening to his music all that often. I like the sparse production that he tends to go with in these earlier albums, though this one turns that up a bit. I really like a few of the earlier tracks on the album but definitely feel like it gets stronger on the second half. I think this is better than the average album, especially with the lyrical content, but considering I don't find myself going to it that often, I'm going with a 4/5. Standout Tracks: Greetings to the New Brunette, The Marriage, Ideology, Levi Stubbs' Tears, Help Save the Youth of America, The Passion
I liked the instruments on this one a lot., particular the synths. Pretty neat! The accent threw me off at first but you’ll get used to it. While it certainly lacks in areas, it’s still worthwhile for the most part.
This was really cool and I look forward to checking out more of his work.
Better songwriter than singer . Levi Stubbs’ Tears the standout track here.
I give this one a big hell yeah.
I enjoyed this one. Good songs. Liked the pro-worker stuff and the songs critical of adult men being lazy and them being incurious.
I was already a little familiar with Billy Bragg already, so I thought I would enjoy this. Turns out I was absolutely right, it's a fun and easy to listen to album that tries to say a lot too. Lyrics can be a little clunky at times, but his passion makes it work. The guitar playing is great and I love the little touches of keys and horns that pop up on odd songs. Will be playing 'Greetings to the New Brunette' often now, what a song.
I didn't know this guy before but he sounds like milder Clash and incredibly british. The first half of the album, which was more punk, was amazing. Unfortunately the second half, which was more folk, fell off. He should sing punk, it suits him more. Stand-outs: Greetings to the New Brunette, Wishing the Days Away
Had very low expectations going into this listen, but wow what a pleasant surprise! Billy Bragg sounds like a cockney Morrissey, so there was something oddly familiar about an artist and songs we’ve absolutely never heard before. I really liked this though, the “folk punk” sound is matched with equally impactful lyrics and I love the strong pro-union sentiments throughout. I thought the album was just a bit long and started to meander at the end. But the final track of “Hold the Fort” was beautiful and really brought the album home.
Bon folk,auteur compositeur interprète. C'est le genre d'album que jaime genre de folk rock, avec uune petit voix country. 4
Enjoyed this. Although Marr was wasted on his tracks! Like an angry, young Alan Bennett with a guitar.
✊✊✊
Brilliant collection of songs, including the fantastic Levi Stubb's Tears!
I wanted to like this more than I did, but I still liked it a lot. I hope to return to this one in the future.
This is Thatcher era discord. Punk and folk in equal parts it’s clear Bragg has a problem with how the United Kingdom was being run. With the help from some friends (Johnny Marr) he crafts a rebellious record filled to the brim with vitriol for The Iron Lady.
I felt a Jim Croce, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie vibe. Simple accompaniment which added to the feels.
I saw Billy Bragg open up for the Barenaked Ladies back in ~1995, sat front and center as he came out playing just a guitar and I felt for the guy - he was so fng passionate and earnest and yet seemed so *nice*. Not sure the BNL crowd was the right audience for his socialist working-class music - it's not that the crowd were rude, just more...indifferent and more-ready to fire boxed of Kraft Dinner in an hour than hear about Levi Stubbs' Tears. I would definitely have said it wasn't my thing but hell - he was fantastic; played a bunch of songs from this album. Which is far better than a previous (later release) entry on the list; his music and message hit so much harder for me when it's mostly just him and his guitar - and I more often go in for big sounding music i.e. completely over the top prog or heavily produced. Bragg is the rare (truly) solo act that I'll listen to. Stick it to the goddamn MAN, Billy. 7/10 4 stars.
This would be great to listen to in a bar - live that is. I can see myself drinking a beer and enjoying this show.
Billy Bragg is swagg
Folk punk. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
More songs about socialism and girls, Bragg here is in fine form - sometimes witty, sometimes touching, always passionate.
I do like Billy Bragg a lot but there's only so long I can listen to him. Great songs, well written, excellent sentiments but can get a bit much for me eventually.
Well, my politics have always been aligned with Billy Bragg's, I have always previously found his earnestness bloody irritating. However, having spent the last year striking after 13 years of a government that make the Marcos regime appear the picture of legitimacy and honesty, Power In A Union actually moved me close to tears. Our government is so crap I now like Billy Bragg. That's shocking. They've broken nearly 40 years of resistance. I'd say it's their only success, save maybe getting gay marriage over the line. In short, the only good Tory is a dead one.
Me encantó y me guardé varias.
One of those albums that I had been meaning to listen to for a long time. I'm glad that I got around to it.
I'm a fan of Billy Bragg since his first LP/EP and though I love his first two releases, his third, Talking With the Taxman About Poetry was a step forward. His sound benefits from minimum contributions other than just himself and still conveys a powerful message and musical power that makes Bragg who he is. Personally, I think it's his strongest album and it's his attempt at a slightly more commercial sound, yet the sound here is still raw and it's catchy and enjoyable before he becomes almost too political and complicated.
Really enjoy Billy Bragg. A few of the later songs weren't as successful. Still really good.
love it, I haven't heard this before!
love the song especially the last few songs really just sounds like a guy playing his guitar and singing and you just like could go to sleep to it because it is so nice
I loved it a lot more than expected. Very much like the Pogues.
This is the reason I signed up. Never heard Bragg before but was shocked by the depth and breadth of this one.
This is a great Bragg album to pick for the list, still got enough solo guitar and sandpaper voice Bard of Barking vibes of pre-Don't Try This...Bragg, but with some other instruments now creeping to make it a more varied listen. in Levi Stubbs Tears, Greetings to the New Brunette, The Home Front some of his best songs.
I bought his first album 'Life's a Riot with Spy vs Spy' and played it to death. To be honest this is basically the same thing with different lyrics but the same sentiment. I like his voice and the crisp guitar. He speaks from the heart so you can't pull the guy- he's unique. C'mon guys, this is Britain's answer to Bobby Dylan...... lol
there's power in the union
8/10 pretty cool! a little too british but I really liked it!
this album is so good!
Oy it's the bloody cure mate. British political music? TRASH. Just kidding. Always remember that an employer asking you to not discuss wages with your coworkers is illegal. Make sure you discuss them especially if you are female. Join a union. Respect your time and your family over work. Fuck the higher ups and fuck the monarchy Score: 80 Art: 60
Excellent folk punk with so much vocal and lyrical excellence. The only thing holding this ever so slightly back from 5 stars is that it gets pretty samey as a whole-album listen.
10/10 accent and 10/10 Ideology (both his political standing and the track itself). I think I prefer the more stripped down feeling of his debut, but this was really enjoyable.
Liked it a lot
I really like Billy Bragg. Pleasant vocals paired with rankle-rousing lyrics and acoustic and/or clean electric guitars. Minimalist in the best way.
There's some good lyricism here.
hey i sure had fun
Je dois bien reconnaître qu'on est très gâtés en ce moment au sein du générateur, avec une succession d'albums a minima bons. Ceci s'explique assez simplement par l'arrivée annoncée du printemps, qui a redonné des couleurs à Robert, qui ressemblait jusqu'alors à un vieux papier peint décrépi.
Voice ranged from great to kinda annoying, but really found myself getting into this, a bit silly at times but also oddly powerful
Like a Red Bragg to a bull.
I love Billy Bragg, and I think this is a really interesting album, sort of a transition point from his first two albums that were really raw and sparse, mainly just Billy and his electric guitar. This album retains some of the raw earnestness of the first two albums but adds some nice instrumentation and a bit more subtlety. 4 stars.
I was wondering why this album was included, rather than "Back to Basics", and that's how I learned that "Back to Basics" is actually a compilation! The shame of it! Anyway, I'm a fan of Bragg's schtick, and even though this album doesn't have "A New England" on it, it's still solid. Fave track - "There is Power in a Union" - still as relevant as ever!
I’d been looking forward to this album since I really liked Mermaid Avenue. I have a lot of respect for Billy Bragg. I’m not sure I’ll return to this album but I enjoyed it all the same.
I found it an in interesting country / folk album, but definitely through a British lens. It's a very odd combination, but England has always had an obsession with American music (the blues, for example). So it's no surprise when they would take something like country and view it through their OWN lens. The second disc (I am going to mention it, although it is not really part of it) was interesting, hearing the songs which varied more. There was more of a protest feel, particularly " Hold The Fort." I appreciated the actual album more, because there was more of a focus in what Bragg was doing there. So yeah, country with a british twang. I dug it.
I've definitely heard of Billy Bragg but I'm not sure I've ever heard Billy Bragg. I couldn't identify a single song of his if you put it in a lineup. That's why I love this list - forces me to actually listen. Look at me and Tom Waits now - we're tight. Bragg is another artist who is acclaimed for a reason - a lot like Elvis Costello I feel. Not necessarily the same style, though they both have a certain unique part rockabilly, part country, part folk, part rock thing. But that je ne sais quoi is cool. Bragg almost has that Celtic feel. Whatever it is, he's got a solid voice that tugs at you, intelligent enough lyrics, and good compositions. Solid album and worth exploring more of his stuff.
Billy Bragg was a name that I had either heard about or read about but this is the first time that I listened to one of his albums. His voice on the opening track reminded me a bit of Andy Partridge. It was different on the other tracks so maybe that was what he was going for there. I really enjoyed the folk punk sound of the album. The songs painted some interesting pictures in my mind while I was listening to them. I think there may have been a few lyrics that would have made more sense if I grew up in England but overall I got the general feeling that he trying to convey. I can't help but feel that if I listened to this on the wrong day it wouldn’t have hit me the way that it did but I finished the album wanting to listen to it again and check out more of his stuff.
Heartfelt, earnest and somewhat naive. Still love it.
This album really grew on me! The first few songs felt pretty uninspiring, so I was expecting more of the same for the rest of the album. But somewhere in there, I totally got it. It really reminded me of the Indigo Girls - it's got that same mix of political songs and love songs, all blended into this style of cute head-banging folk-rock. I'm sure there was some mutual inspiration there, and sure enough, it looks like they've played in concert together several times! "There is Power in a Union" is just such an epic ballad that makes your hairs stand up, almost like Pete Seeger if he was a little more rock and a lot more British. And followed by "Help Save the Youth of America," which just has that infectious righteous-anger energy. And then by the start of Side 2, we take a sudden turn into these beautiful American folk tunes! I had to check that I was still listening to the same album! On the weaker side, I think the album definitely suffers from demo-itus. And to my ears, the awesome and beautiful songs are sprinkled in-between with uninteresting ones that disrupt the flow and don't make too much sense. I think it definitely could have been half as long, with just the essential songs. 3.5/5, but I'll round up to 4 :)
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.
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.
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.
Quel chansonnier intéressant! Riches textes doux-amers qui contemplent la vie, l’amour et la société humaines accompagnés simplement, presque de façon amateurs. Fascinant!
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.
Good stuff, I want to listen to this more.
cool!
Fantastic album. Familiar with Bragg through his Mermaid Ave series, but this one had some great finds. Will dig into his discog more. 4/5
Billy Bragg is great
Good album.
A socialist voice has never felt more important or relevant than now
Still don't like folk punk, but better than expected. Might even be a 3.5/5.
Pretty good stuff, good lyrics and fiddle playing - but would it kill this guy to have a backing band?
Now, this is more my style. I've been familiar with Billy Bragg forever, but I've never done the deep dive. If you asked, the first song to come to mind would be California Stars, but that's really Wilco. I knew Greetings to the New Brunette and There is Power in a Union, but I wasn't relating either to Bragg. Bell Biv Devoe, now I know.
I really enjoyed this. I always thought of Billy as the guy who plugged into a little Fender amp and sang New England. There’s still some of that here, but every now and then there’s these little auditory surprises.
I can't put my finger on this album about why it seems like something so familiar but it does. Listened to the whole thing in one sitting and didn't have to pause it, or skip a track, etc. Added the first track to a playlist..."Greetings to the New Brunette". Overall, just liked it.
Enjoyable. Faded toward the end of the album but the first disc was excellent.
I’ve herd of the name before and I think I’ve seen the artwork so that’s good… The album opens with the song, greetings to a new brunette, it’s quite good to be fair I do feel I have the faintest memory of this but not too sure. I’am not sure about the backing vocals at the end but other than that it’s good. Train train is a good fast paced track a bit heavier pretty short really good simple track. The marriage starts with some really sweet horns then blissfully goes into this it’s got really strong lyrics on this one. Then is ideologically it’s a very good sonic a nice bit of political folk rock Levi Stubbs’ tears is one I definitely recognised has some great guitar moments in the track as well. Just not one of my favourites. Then is the slow little olden days’y Honey, I’m a big boy now now this is definitely my least favourite so far it’s nice to close off the first half but still not great. There is power in the union is another very political song the guitars at the start were kinda American to me which makes sense it’s a very good song to be fair it’s just there’s so many of these songs around. Help save the youth of America is another recognisable one it’s another good political track. Wishing the days away fully slows the pace down and it has some really nice string work just not my favourite. The passion is another slow jam the hook on this song is great and the lyrics as a whole to be fair. The warmest room turns things op just a little bit for a nice penultimate track I can’t put my finger on this one there’s good moments though. The album ends with the home front it is filled with horns it’s honestly an amazing closer to be honest, good smart English lyrics to close a very English album. Yeah it’s good I can see people disliking this but because of that I swear I’ve herd so much of it before I have to give it a 4.
Entre Jam et Television Personalities trop cool! Prefs: Greetings to the New Brunette, The Marriage, Ideology, There Is Power in a Union, Help Save the Youth of America, The Warmest Room, The Home Front Moins pref: The Passion
C'est un album particulier. Un gars qui chante seul avec sa guitare avec quelques arrangements un peu datés, ce n'est pas un hit instantané. Par contre quand j'ai pris le temps de me concentrer un peu plus sur la chose, j'ai quand même apprécié mon écoute. Comme les autres albums depuis le début de l'aventure, j'ai écouté seulement le volume 1 qui est le disque paru originalement en 1986, comme l'artiste l'avait planifié. Ce n'est pas trop folk, c'est un peu country par moment sans les éléments du style que je n'aime pas habituellement, c'est un peu punk, un peu rock et politique. Ideology poussée autour de 164 BPM avec un band complet pourrait être une chanson de Green Day. Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now avec son piano me rappelle Tom Waits. There Is Power in a Union m'a fait penser à certaines pièces de Japandroids sur l'album Celebration Rock. Help Save the Youth of America ressemble beaucoup à I Fought the Power des Clash. Au final, le minimalisme de l'instrumentation en fait quelque chose qui se démarque du lot et c'est peut-être justement la force de cet album. Pièces préférées: Levi Stubbs' Tears, There Is Power in a Union, Help Save the Youth of America, Ideology
Great album y an undereated indie folk singer. His guitar playing is always distinctive as are his vocals. His politics can get heavy handed at times, but that's easy to overlook. Favourite songs; Levi Stubbs Tears, Help Save the Youth of America, The Warmest Room. 4.4 🌟
Solid
Apart from the folk part really good
I really dig it
Great
I really enjoyed this album . Great lyrics.
What I appreciated about this album is that it wasn't all love songs like many albums have. It scores all the points in the relatability category, being in the point of view of a blue-collar man who has opinions, got dragged into marriage and eventually divorced... Good listen overall.
I had friends in college who were Billy Bragg fans. His earlier stuff really was just an angry voice and a guitar. I didn't get into it so much since I didn't think it was great music for a party and I wasn't much for being angry and alone with it. This album is much more musical, and I found that I enjoyed it more now. I'm still not going to put it on for dinner with friends. A few protest songs are timely; a few are dated. The "love" songs express how feelings aren't enough for a relationship. I really liked the last two songs, since they seemed to go beyond lecturing and scolding and get to some more nuance and a little bit of warmth along the anger. "The Warmest Room" and "The Home Front" both expressed uncertainty and the complications between feelings and ideals. The latter definitely feels appropriate to contemporary times.
Apparently I have heard of Billy Bragg before, but I didn't remember, and I certainly had never listened to this album. It was definitely worth the time. Although after my first listen I wasn't certain that this was for me, I did appreciate the album for the musical interest and the lyrical depth. After a second listen, I liked it more.
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.
I actually really liked the sound of this album, considering I've never heard of this guy. No recognized songs
This isn't particularly my style of music, but Bragg is certainly engaging as a performer. This isn't an album I see myself coming back to, but it's certainly much more of an interesting listen than it would be in the hands of a less charismatic performer 4/5
yes yes I quite like this
4.0 - Someday I’ll make the good choice to tour the English countryside. One evening I’ll duck into an ancient pub. The local barflies will eye me suspiciously as I order my pint. I’ll walk to the jukebox, attempting to appear unconcerned, and see this album. I’ll remember vaguely having listened to it way back in 2021 but won’t remember any specific track, so I’ll choose one at random. At that moment, a drunk hunched over the bar will suddenly break into a clear, steady tenor. Another bloke will join in, then another and another and soon the whole bar will be singing along full-throatedly. By song’s end, I’ll get a few smiling pats on the back and one geezer might even stand me my second pint.
I love the folky, new age-tinged sound this album has. I'm especially a fan of "Levi Stubbs' Tears"!
A bit 80s but solo electric folk really works.
Really admirable the way he storefronts his voice throughout the album. There's no hiding from your lyrics in this context, and the lyrics hold up. The electric guitar really holds its own too.
3,8 Ja dit is nog wel eens een leuke vibe, maar wel lang, maar kzou miss af en toe een nummerke opzetten.
Dit is prachtig the track of my tears is een geweldige cover Levi stubbs tears... damn Nog geen 5 na eerste listen maar wel heel close
A good album that I didn’t think I would enjoy, but ended up liking. Songs of oppression and strength in unity and unionizing. Not something I would expect out of the mid eighties, but not unwelcome.
Love
4/5 - British James Taylor; the accent is a little off-putting
https://1001albumsgenerator.com/kyleb
More my tempo
really enjoyed this one. finally vocals I can deal with. lots of great instrumentation. the overall sound doesn't get old like many other albums. enjoyed it the whole way through 4.0
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.
Love a bit of Billy Bragg. Simple, but very effective. He is a great wordsmith
Young
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.
Lofi protest folk/punk. Love it!
My impression of Billy Bragg's folk-punk music has always been that it's straightforward, blunt and effective in it's political messages and "Talking With the Taxman About Poetry" is all those things and more. With some horn accompaniment and harmonies chiming in here and there, a more fleshed out version takes shape. Charming and purposeful lyrics sung with a commanding voice, I find myself returning to this album. Fav Tracks: There is Power in a Union, Greetings from the New Brunette, Help Save the Youth of America, Levi Stubb's Tears
Crudo, a solas con su guitarra y poco más. Alcanza cimas muy altas en algunos temas pero no termina de ser el disco redondo que podía llegar a ser. Muy bueno.
quite fun :)
He reminded me I have to do my taxes...
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?
I do enjoy a good brit. Great tunes
Solid album, i liked the more upbeat songs the best, cover of the tracks of my tears was amazing.
Wasn't expecting to like it that much, but there's a great mix of catchy songs and different sounds here.
Surprised, much better than I expected
Pretty good, Closer to a 3.5
Such an unpleasant accent. The songs were decent and often enjoyable but man oh man had this bozos voice worn out its welcome by song 3
Love some good folk punk!
Rock de Pub com discussão política alcoolizada. Bem legal! Celest Pandamon.
I like Billy Bragg, and love some of his songs, but this is too long. Maybe Bragg is more of an "in the mood" vibe as I think on the right day, maybe hanging out with friends and bbq, this would slap. But as a general listen it's a little too meh.
It’s not bad but forgettable..
Enjoyed it after resisting it for most of the listen 😂
It's probably 2,5 stars for me. Rounding upwards because it wasn't really bad. I liked the acoustic guitar here.
3/5 Favorite Song: There Is Power in a Union
i quite like the idea of Billy Bragg, this gruff commie-poet of the masses who leaves aside subtlety for a kind of gleaming directness, but it's these lovely qualities that also inform the worst parts of his songs. there are clunky lyrics, boring tunes, the same themes warmed over and over - but god, when he's good, that earnestness and steadfastness will bring a tear to my eye quicker than most things. many of the more personal songs are lovely, and then there is the Power that one can find in a Union, a song that is so diamond-cut and eternal i genuinely thought it was a standard. to me, in the circles i run in, maybe the last genuine folk song. not my favorite record by a guy i wish i could love more consistently, but man, when it hits it hits!
6.5/10
Huh, not my usual cup o tea. Very vocal-driven music with simple, raw guitar strumming, almost like a modern bard - he is acctually more of a political poet than anything else. Many can't stand his raunchy voice and british accent, so be warned. Suprisingly very touching for me, and works very wll, without any fancy effects added in mastering. His musical range was also quite striking with Socialist Union-Songs, more mainstream-fit 'britpop'-ish music all the way to folk-songs on disc 2. 👏🏼
-mayakovsky title makes me kindly inclined towards this album -"greetings to the new brunette" HI? -i love when singers sing with their accents :-) -all in all i liked it!
This is another one I will need to revisit. The problem with this list is that I need to give more time than I have. I will go back and listen to this one and probably redo my review. It was okay though, definitely English folk in the way some of the early folk pioneers told their stories. It's not so much about the singing as it is getting your message out. Sometimes I am in the mood for it, but most times I am not.
Es ist ein sympathisches, handfestes Folk‑Album aus politischem Biss und Alltagsromantik ohne immer die ganz großen Funken zu schlagen. Die Songs wirken oft wie kleine Straßenszenen mit Gitarre, direkt, ehrlich, manchmal etwas spröde. Stücke wie „Greetings to the New Brunette“ oder „Levi Stubbs’ Tears“ zeigen seine Stärke: warme Melodien, klare Haltung, ein rauer Charme.
7/10 - Really liked this. There's a lot of great story telling here. Adding to my short list to listen to in a dark room. I can see myself coming back and rating this higher Fav Tracks: Greeting to the New Brunette, The Warmest Room, Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now Heard before? ---–- ❌ Saved a Song? ----- ✅ Saved Album? --–-- ✅ Will Listen Again? -- ✅ Album Cover -------tax man be hungry
liked the message, dislike the vocals.
Don't like but do respect
I enjoyed it
Not bad.
Not a lover of Billy Bragg’s politics or the way he tends to preach and stick his views down our throats. But I do warm to the down to earth ‘Englishness’ of his music. His style is unique and whilst he would probably claim to have influences from around the world, the way he delivers his music is firmly rooted in England. So I do celebrate this even though his voice after a while does tend to grate at your senses. 🏴 3/5 25/5/26
Great writing, but the performance is definitely lacking. Feels like there should be a full band to lift the melodies and energy, but it’s always just a guitar or two that can only do so much. But I appreciate the political messaging, reminds me of Guthrie or today’s Jesse Welles.
Light punk, a touch of prog and… country? I’ll take the light punk and prog, and leave the country.
nice, would never have come across this if it wasn't for this list. not my genre though.
Bright and sharp - god bless the civil servants! Love how his voice makes me think "I could do that, as long I believed in what I had to say". Favourite tracks: Ideology, Levi Stubbs' Tears, There Power In A Union
Power to the people
Give me the music without the vocals.
Ihan mielenkiintoista folkia, jossa laulettiin työväenluokan ongelmista yms. Voisin joskus kuunnella uudestaan.
Odd that Bragg’s political folk seems less anachronistic today than it did in the 1980s. The rest of the world had moved on from his Guthriesque look into the plight of the working man in the Thatcher-Reagan era. Now, his commentary seems more in line with how more artists look at inequality. Musically this record offers a bit more muscle than Bragg’s usual guitar and vocals set up. Even when pared down to the basics, he created more appealing songs, such as the Buddy Holly like “The Warmest Room” and the near pop of “Levi Stubbs’Tears” In “Ideology” Bragg nicks the guitar lines from Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom.” Of course, Dylan likely got his picking from Dave Van Ronk, who got it from his mother. No crime for Bragg to continue the folk tradition. Frequently for me, art with political statements elicits an “I agree with you, but the song/film/painting has no interesting angles” response. Usually this appears in a straightforward tale or with an issue that is so black and white there is little room for nuance. This problem appeared as Bragg put on his teacher's hat to wag his finger at the audience in “Help Save the Youth of America” and “There is Power in the Union.” The latter would work well if belting it out during a coal strike, but is not particularly interesting as a piece of music. More interesting, but perhaps outdated is “The Marriage.” In the song, the young Bragg rejects the concept of marriage as conventional, and siding with, God forbid, “their parents.” He wants to avoid commitment in typical male fashion, and thumbs his nose at bourgeoisie values to avoid his lover’s desire for deeper ties. Wonder if today’s Bragg, in his 60s, feels the same. The world needs Billy Braggs, but not necessarily frequently on my turntable.
I'm sorry Billy Bragg, but your voice takes some getting used to. I think I would enjoy this album more if it fit the vocal perimeters I prefer. The writing that I caught was enjoyed, but diminished my interest as the album went on. The album title gets 3 stars alone.
Incroyable titre d'album
Gillade inte först men den växte på mig efter några låtar. Ideology var exempelvis bra.
Rough start, but eventually made it's way to a 3. Punk-folk-protest is good in very specific circumstances. 3/5
Nice album. Didn’t know much about him but like his message.
I like it, but 3.5 because I can’t understand his voice. I don’t find it annoying like others though.
I really want to like Billy Bragg. In theory he’s a leftist folk musician, that should be my bread and butter. And sometimes he’s great! But often he’s just sorta fine, the message isn’t really present on some of the songs, his voice is fine. I want to like it more
I like this guy's vibe, just a guy with a guitar but there's something gritty about it
So so
Stellar!
Folky tunes
I can take a guess all the Yanks doing this project will be gnashing their teeth and moaning about a British artist being on here (as they do with seemingly EVERY British album that makes an appearance) and especially with an artist quite so quintessentially British as Bragg. Anyway, fuck 'em. If you're not interested in lyrics then this probably isn't the artist for you. Bragg can conjure up some absolutely beautiful, heart breaking, funny and pure kitchen sink imagery while also talking politics (I'm sure some Americans will baulk at the idea of a musician openly promoting socialism). The tunes aren't bad either. Best Tracks: Greetings To The New Brunette; Levi Stubbs' Tears; Help Save the Youth of America
another nice BB album
Pretty vanilla but not bad.
God his voice is not enjoyable
Thank god it's over! He has that talk-singing style that just makes me cringe. The amount of reverb in this recording is insane - way over the top. I would have rather read this album than listen to it. The lyrics are phenomenal! Favorite review: "The voice ground me down to a fine, lubricant grade powder"
Good madlad muzac.
Pretty good
Slightly more good than bad
I would never choose to listen to him/this type of music but points for the beliefs and attitude.
Well… Folks either love him or can’t fucking stand the guy. I’m indifferent. Decent guitar and lyrics, reminds me of a young and less melodic Paul Weller. Could just be the heavy accent and leftist ideology. Sorta punk, but doesn’t close the deal. End of the day, neither loved nor hated. Interested, but not terribly interesting. Like late night TV… hard to turn off, but won’t remember what you watched in the morning.
"we need more left wing protest music" >the left wing protest music I mostly kid - billy bragg is just phenomenally annoying I think. He's a good guy, good politics, but as a musician, he's treacly and sort of a bore. There are songs of his that I like a lot and I recall the collabs with Wilco being pretty good but I've tried numerous times over the years to get into Bragg and it never takes. Any time he pops up on a John Peel broadcast, it's never a big discovery, just filler and since Peel really liked him, he showed up a lot. And here we are with another Bragg album so once more into the breach. This one's alright. The political songs have energy to them, I particularly like how Ideology & Help Save the Youth of America bite off Bob Dylan & The Clash respectively. I think it's totally fine to cheat a little and borrow from The Best when your project is trying to make protest music to pass down comunally. And for as sentimental as I find Bragg, Greetings to the New Brunette is really, really, really good. Really sweet, great playing. Little wonder that was a radio hit.
The bard of Barking having a proper knees up on this one. I actually liked it more than I expected, sometimes I can find this stuff a bit corny. Maybe the difference is that Bragg is actually a good lyricist. The second disc meaning I hear it all twice probably helps too.
Another artist pivotal to the UK festival scene, inspiring a key archetype; the socialist singer-songwriter. Usually playing in a small tent on the Sunday to remind you of the hellscape society you’re returning to. Billy Bragg seems like a decent guy but musically, I need a beat and some bass. Even just a kick drum. I crave rhythm. 6.5 / 10 Best track/s:There is power in a union, wishing the days away
Levi Stubbs' Tears is easily the highlight here. The rest of it is mostly pleasant folk, the best of which is closer The Home Front. I appreciate the messaging. But it's not enough to make me want to listen to a lot more of this. Still earns a passing grade.
Tough to finish. Overall, it was good, but there were just some tracks that I really struggled to fight through (cough cough The Home Front). It would be good background music, just maybe not something I would sit down and give my full attention to. Greetings to the New Brunette was my favorite track.
Normal
I can't tell how I feel about this one. Every few tracks popped out.
Not my taste in music - but okay.
Hints of The Proclaimers; a good thing. Started off strong with "Greetings to the New Brunette" and "Train Train". The rest of the first few tracks were very good. After that, every track was indistinguishable from each other. I like his singing....two songs at a time. Anything after that he should figure out a different set of 3-4 notes to sings.
Un album et un artiste dont j’ai jamais entendu parler. Selon wiki, mélange de folk et de punk rock : intéressant ! En tout cas j’aime bien la première, ça ressemble aux Smith en bien (heheheh) Aïe j’ai l’impression que c’est peut-être ni assez punk ni assez folk, c’est peut-être pour ça qu’on le fait pas J’aimerais aimer, comme « there is power in a union » par exemple. Mais je trouve ça ni énergisant ni beau, ce que je pourrais trouver dans le punk ou le folk. Je trouve ça un peu chiant, je pourrais écouter un barde du moyen âge chanter ça. En concert ça peut être marrant cependant. Des sons ressortent quand même : « Help save the youth of AMERICA » ressemble à « I fought the law » des Clash. Ça me fait quand même penser que je préférerais écouter les clash là. Est-ce que je dois être plus dur car il est basé et que ça me fout les boules que ce soit pas mieux ou au contraire valoriser ça ? Je pense ça part sur un 3, 5/10 Le cd2 c’est carrément du country, bizarre ! The track of my tears : bien ! Greetings to the new brunette aussi. Allez ça prend un 6. Arf il y a quand même des moments où je m’ennuie sec et des chansons que j’aime vraiment pas : 5
Not what I expected. I knew ~nothing about Billy Bragg, and based on the name I assumed it was country, LOL. Actually it was more like The Smiths.
I think I like the idea of Billy Bragg better than I like his music.
I'm told I'm supposed to listen for Dylan and The Clash, but I mostly hear a try-hard version of Elvis Costello. I hear the appeal, but maybe there's a better album to start with? (Came back for a second listen of "Levi Stubbs' Tears" though.)
Low expectations but actually not bad. Production doesn’t sound too dated.
Good record, Billy Bragg is awesome. This isn’t my favorite but it was a nice listen on a Sunday.
Als ambient Musik fein, hatte danach allerdings keine Muse es nochmal aktiv zu hören. Außer "There is power in the union" - Schöner Gewerkschaftssong. Dafür gibts einen Stern mehr
British singer-songwriter folk music. There are a couple of cool songs, like the opening track but most of it is meh for me. It's not bad just nothing exciting and didn't hold my attention through the whole album
Lyrisch zijn het goede klassieke protestnummers, maar muzikaal is het nogal veel onnodig kabaal. 3
Not a fan of folk generally, but the alternative folk artists often appeal to me, especially from the other side of the pond. Would probably be a "4" if not for how much I've always disliked Bragg's voice.
Although written in the 1980s, the song ideology remains relevant because it addresses structural issues that still shape our politics today.
This just didn’t connect with me. I can hear the quality in the singing, the guitar playing, and the songwriting. But something about it doesn’t work for me. Maybe because it’s only vocals and guitar? I don’t know.
Good time, though didn’t really move me more than a 3.
Started out strong. Evened out to a three.
Interesting English folk/indie/rock album from the mid-80s, sounds wise it reminded me of The Smith possibly because of the production of the time, plus they are from the England. Music wise it's not quite I would regularly listen to but it's not bad either, it was a quite pleasant morning album for me. The voice is a bit off putting. Overall 3 stars.
Extremamente britânico, por bem e por mal. Gostei da sonoridade, da voz, das letras, é tudo relativamente agradável. Não gostei da duração e da sequência do disco. Álbum longo demais, que rapidamente causa monotonia, por mais que as composições em si não sejam totalmente ruins. Queria ter gostado mais, é um disco legal, mas bem difícil de ouvir. 3
It just as well I agree with his politics because I don't think his music is particularly good. The exception I've found is Home Front. IDK, I understand why the man is important, but I don't particularly care to listen to his music.
This was pretty fun. An album I hadn't heard before. It was really a bit all over the place but an enjoyable listen.
Nice calm album, Sarah recognised the tune from pride
Prior to listening, I had read some previous reviews. I disagree with most of them. This is not such an egregious album to merit the vitriol, but I also don't feel it to be a masterpiece. I didn't mind his cockneyed vocal style, nor his musical subject matter. I thought the songs were quite enjoyable. I think there will be a time soon where I could explore more of Billy's repertoire, and perhaps even come back to this album and improve the rating. But this is where I am at today.
3/15 Was okay. Nothing interesting
started rly good but honestly felt a bit bloated by the end, idk how necessary the second disc was. i'm also maybe being hypocritical bc ive historically disliked music of this type from americans but im embracing british bias i almost gave this a 4
Decent overall. Always love some strong leftist lyrics, but the vocals can be hit or miss at times. The best songs are just Bragg singing with his guitar. Certainly could use some more calls to action in today's world. Top tracks: Ideology, Levi Stubbs' Tears, There Is Power in a Union
Day797 - this is how you give the middle finger to the man
This was interesting. First track and I had an immediate negative reaction, but this was an album that the longer it went on the more I liked it. It had some tracks I didn’t like, a couple I really did. Overall, not too bad. 3/5
Good
2.5/5
You can definitely imagine this playing on tape in your divorced Dad’s car. Loved the lyrics, but not the biggest fan of Bragg’s voice. Favourite track: The Home Front
I enjoyed this. Overtly political, which is fine I guess, but there was a variety of styles.
More polished sounding Bragg on this album. Tight collection of short songs that punch mostly above the belt.
This was a weird one - in a good way.
More than Dylan, Billy Bragg is the true heir to Woody Guthrie, and he shows it here with a solid selection of both protest songs and love songs. Dylan may have felt some kind of way about the Mermaid Avenue records, but I don't think he would have done as well with the material as Bragg (and Wilco). He excels as a writer in both areas, and delivers his performances as if he were the world’s greatest busker. It gets a bit samey after a while, and this record probably would have benefitted musically from a full band, but that would kill the busking spirit at its core. A solid record that I will probably never revisit
I liked this. Reminded me of something I have listened to more recently. Will need to look in to it.
Another one I wasn’t familiar with. I’d head of Billy Bragg but didn’t know he was kind of electric folk and from England. Good stuff. I need to explore the lyrics more
Nice.
Nice variety, engaging listen. More worthy of this list than a lot of the shite I've endured lately.
Pretty good
I liked the urgency and the music but his voice grade on me be side I think his “working man” accent is put on (or at least exaggerated beyond my tolerance) and his politics are puerile.
The boy who cried niche
Meh 🤷🏼♀️
Very strange, vacillating wildly between alright and not particularly impressive.
3.0 2x listening while driving to Asheville. Couple good songs and shanty pieces
Not what I was expecting. Liked it.
Handgemachte Musik ist immer gut. Auf Dauer etwas eintönig.
6/10 - Light 3. Not an album I’ll listen to again, but overall alright. Not very high or low on anything here but better than a 2.
I like the message and theme of this album, but really only would go back to a couple songs (Greetings to the New Brunette and The Warmest Room). I can see how this is an important album, but it's not one I would throw on from front to back. Light 6/10
Instrumentally this album is definitely interesting, particularly the guitar work, which is vibrant and well performed. But what really lands on this album is how politically charged it is. “Ideology” hits you in the face with it, and this carries through the whole record. Overall it's a good listen, if slightly let down by the vocals that at times are very jarring.
Quite melodic and engaging lyrics
= the Beatles
His third album. Rock / Folk / Punk. At the height of Thatcher's 80s Britain where we were told there is no such thing as society, a voice like Billy Bragg's was needed. Collectivism and a message that we really are all in this together. The songs are well written with some great and charming lyrics. His vocals can grate somewhat after a while but nonetheless the messges are clear.
I'm only familiar with Billy Bragg from his Mermaid Avenue sessions he did with Wilco, I'm a huge fan of those albums so I'm excited to listen to this album. There are some great songs in there but it became a bit repetitive. Could have used about half the songs.
It starts strong, but becomes quite samey. Solid effort nonetheless.
Mostly unfamiliar with Bragg’s work outside of the Mermaid Avenue collabs with Wilco, but saw him live once and he was great. A fun listen! This is the record with “There Is Power…” classic! Some tunes have a surprising chamber pop vibe.