Reviews (page 5 of 8)
De lo mejorcito últimamente.
This album was not for me but his newer stuff is decent
In the early 80s Billy Bragg built a reputation as a fiery socialist troubadour, just one man and his guitar, recording two critically acclaimed albums and playing benefit gigs for striking miners and supporting the Red Wedge tour during the ‘83 elections. For this difficult third album (which was the working title for a while) he moved away from his earlier raw sound, bringing in other musicians and backing singers, with fuller production. Would this be his ‘Dylan Goes Electric’ moment? Well, it actually works! He still has the same vocal style, ranging from plaintive wails to strident anger (which is fair to say is an acquired taste), but the extra elements really add to and complement his songs. The first single Levi Stubbs’ Tears from this album marks the transition in style, with a powerful song about domestic violence that is heightened by a single trumpet picking up the melody at the end. Other songs cover familiar topics for Bragg - the humdrum reality of life in 80s Tory Britain, forthright political commentary and wistful songs of love and romance and marriage. To be honest, I still just about prefer Life’s A Riot With Spy vs Spy but this album can stand alongside the earlier work as a solid start to a discography.
This is, what, punk folk with a hints of pop? From the first sentence you can get where the guy is from and you can guess what these songs will be talking about. It might be a bit too long though, and some songs are a little bit overproduced; it sounds better when it's rougher.
I'd never heard of this guy. Pretty interesting album, both in lyrical content and in terms of the guitar work. Definitely sounds punkish in the sound of his voice, and then folkish in his kind of cadence and subject matter. Like electric folk punk. This is probably one I'll go back to at some point. 3.4/ 5 4.5
2/10. If I were the taxman, I would ask Billy Bragg to shut the fuck up.
I would have thought Life's a Riot would be the one you had to hear but this is pretty great too. Help Save The Youth of America is more relevant now than then even if it remains a little condescending.
always down for some folk punk. good listen.
Meh
Some people can't sing, and thats ok. What's not ok is making me listen to a bloated album from a person who can't sing.
What is this? It sounds like a late 70's British punk-rocker who went solo and recorded an album that his 80-year old Mum would enjoy.
Aight
Boring bloke shit voice
Its just whatever
It was aight, lotta features on the album but it was a little all over the place, but definitely nothing that I didn’t like on it, honestly would revisit it again if I had nothing to listen to
solid and good variety of tunes. Had different genres or elemnts at least but to me his voice is not that much enjoyable. Felt a bit long too but the lyrics and the concept works and is good. (2.5/5.0)
5 stars for Levi Stubbs' Tears. The whole album is great, but Levi is one of the greatest folk songs ever written.
Holy shit! This guy’s voice fucking sucks. All other aspects of the music is great, but damn, that voice sucks.
Album too long for my taste, songs sound similar to one another. The first few songs were interesting but then blended together.
Those songs deserved fuller instrumentation. Does Bragg have something against drummers?? 3.2
I had somewhat of an idea what to expect having heard Billy Bragg with Wilco on "Mermaid Avenue" which I really enjoyed. I enjoyed this album as well. I liked the spareness and simplicity of it. It didn't require a full band to effectively put the songs across.
Solid throughout, though a bit too folk-y toward the end. Guitarwork was excellent. Not a big fan of political lyrics but I mostly tune out the words. I suspect I won't remember any of the tunes long term but it was a good listen.
This album doesn't feel quite finished to me. Like it could be a good demo or a sort of proof of concept type thing but it's not a fully fleshed out record. I like the style and where it's heading but it needs more. I think it's because there are no drums and little bass. I mean you can certainly make a record without those things but this was not a successful attempt. It ends up sounding thin and unpolished and empty. I found myself sort of tuning it out a bit. It's a shame because I feel like the lyrics are actually really good and the music has a lot of potential, it just wasn't executed properly. 2.5/5 and I'll round up because I think this could have been a great album.
It’s pretty alright
This is really tragic because I love the title, I love alternative, I love folk, and I love British people. But I hate this. Actually I can’t say I hate it cause this is no Scott 2. I just really didn’t like how he sang but honestly all the background music was chill, I think if a completely different person was singing this album I wouldn’t mind it. I don’t even know if the lyrics were good cause I couldn’t stand focusing on listening to him. Also it was crazy long, what the heck man. I will forever feel horrible for giving an alternative folk album a one but it has to be done, the genre’s quality has to be upheld somehow.
I don’t like how this is a double LP. It easily could’ve been just a normal LP, the entire second disc is stuff you would expect to hear on a deluxe extended version of an album and not stuff I felt I needed to hear at all. I mostly just feel let down after listening to this album because going into this I was quite excited it being an alt folk album from a guy I’d heard of before and it turned out to be not that good. Also I did not expect a country song to have pro immigration lyrics. How the genre has changed… The leftism of this whole album is really quite shocking in general, Billy is very blunt and in your face about it. Edit: (2->3) I’m so glad I’ve since turned around on Billy, I think he just took some getting used to but this album is by no means bad.
I did not like this album at all. The second song was pretty cool because it had a folk punk vibe that came out awesome. But other than that, everything about this album seems like it was designed and engineered for me to hate it in every way imaginable. As an American, the lyrics had no relevance to me, so there was a disconnect on that front. His singing style embodies everything I dislike about run-of-the-mill commercial Britpop. Then there’s the music. It felt as if it was specifically crafted to align with all my dislikes. No matter how open and tolerant you are, and how much you love and appreciate music, you simply can’t like everything. This album was a good reminder of that for me.
Really grew to really like this one…great surprise!
Драматичное и громкое бряцанье на электрогитаре и левацкие песенки.
Ugh, what a slog...
Ome Billy heeft een aardig randje Britse Punk in z'n stem die de boel zowel extra leuk als extra verschrikkelijk kan maken. De meeste tracks vallen gelukkig de goede kant op, maar bij track 2 kneep ik hem toch wel even. Bij track 2 was 'ie het even kwijt. Het is echt bijzonder vaag wat dit precies met me doet. Dit is het archetype Britse klaagstem waar ik wel eens een album op afgeschreven heb, maar ik vind dat oom Billy het toch bijzonder leuk doet. Een heel klein stukje Morrissey lijkt er ook wel in te zitten, maar toch is het fijn. Heerlijk die zwaar overdreven manier waarop hij bepaalde woorden uitspreekt. Lekker activistisch is het ook. Ik vind dat ik dit kut zou moeten vinden, maar op de één of andere manier vind ik het best wel dik. Niet elke track is raak en een 5 zou waanzin zijn, maar ik ga verrassend genoeg toch wel 4 sterren uitdelen. Is toch geinig zo'n Engelse Armand?
I feel that I should like this more than I do. I'm a sucker for politically charged lyrics and singer songwriters. Yet there's something here that leaves me cold. I'm not sure quite what it is though.
Dude - shut up and play that big guitar. The music, writing and vocals are much less interesting.
This album ruined my day
The fact that this album is on here but Cold Fact isn't is appalling. I have nothing wrong with the lyricism or the socially progressive values, I just hate Billy Bragg's singing.
I liked this a lot. Mermaid Avenue didn't do much for me, but this album was great; seemed more folk punk and less alt-country.
I keep thinking I don't like Billy Bragg, but apparently I thought this in 2022 as well. This album is good and I like it. 3.75/5
Great album. I am drawn to Braggs voice, so emotive, so distinctive and you can tell that he loves to sing. The songs range from melancholy love songs, songs of naive youth and of course political protest. Favourite Songs; Greetings to the New Brunette, Levi Stubbs Tears, Youth of America and The Warmest Room. Listening to this album brought back a flood of wonderful memories. 4.5 stars
Is this Frank Turner’s dad?
Had mixed feelings about this one, did not like the vocals but the lyrics, instrumentals and storytelling were great. 7/10
I love the UK sound from this time period. Great album.
I've only ever heard of Billy Bragg for his political work in England. I won't pretend that I know much about him, but I know that he is a man of the left and that has set him up well for a favorable review. "Greetings to the New Brunette" was a fun song. Shirley has made a strong impression on Billy. I'm not entirely sure what the line 'I'm more impressionable when my cement is wet' means, and I won't ask any further questions. "The Marriage" is a funny song. I liked the melody. Billy really doesn't want to get married. I'm on his side here, what difference does it make if you've been to the altar? "Ideology" is a very plain-spoken song. I can't say I disagree with a word of it. It brings me to thinking, are there any Billy Bragg / Woody Guthrie type singers out there that get any play in 2025? Folk music I heard is typically frivolous or about emotional distress, and country has been consumed by consumerist small-town worship of trucks and guns. Do we have any working class singers? "There Is Power in a Union" is an amazing song. "Help Save The Youth of America" is another hard hitting song. '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." Billy likely did not foresee the US becoming one of Europe's biggest concerns in 2025. "The Warmest Room" is a jam. I really like his voice. This might not be a compliment but he sounds like just a regular guy who can hit some nice notes. The horns on "The Home Front" are sweet. The lyrics consider to be high quality. What about the workers? The verse "In the land of a thousand doses, where nostalgia is the opium of the age, our place in history is as, clock watchers, old timers, window shoppers" is exceptional. 9/10 I should check out what Billy's been up to.
I appreciate him more now than I did then. I'm glad we have him.
More upbeat than a lot of the stuff so far. Goes between indie rock and music you might here in a lil pub. Lyrics are fun, sometimes a bit preachy. A couple ballads here and there. Harps a lot on the failure and injustice of government and politicians. Vocal style is kinda droopy with a heavy British accent, has the affect of making you feel sorry for the guy singing.
This was not what I expected (complementary)
I once saw Billy Bragg great live act, very passionate person. Like a British Bob Dylan but with a very strong Lancashire accent, like Dylan very marmite. Superb song writer.
The blueprint for Justin Sane. Just a punk and his guitar.
Good songs
Quite enjoyed this! Love some politically charged folk music
It was just okay.
This is a solid album. You know how, sometimes, you listen to albums, and it's like, "Yeah, this is solid"? Well, yeah, this is solid. Plus the cover art rules.
I just don't enjoy folksy singer/songwriter shit. Nothing wrong or offensive with this, it just doesn't speak to me at all. Most of this feels like it's designed to be a drunken crowd singalong in a pub. Nope!
I kinda liked this overall. Folky and varied, but not something I'd come back to a lot.
It took me awhile to adapt to Billy Bragg. So many UK artists don't so overtly retain their accent in their singing voices. But boy Billy Bragg sure does. Beyond that, the first stuff I heard from him was all just him and an electric guitar, and it was either relationship songs or anti-government songs. I ended up getting really attached to a few of the songs on "Don't Try This At Home".... certain lines just jump out and get you... "like a pale moon in a sunny sky, death gazes down as I pass by". The "Mermaid Avenue" project with Wilco had some great stuff on it too and it was good to hear him with a full band. Somehow I avoided this record even though it was a friend's favorite record of his. Glad to have a chance to hear it. I say all this as a way of saying I was fully prepared and dialed in to Bragg's ethos, voice and approach. "Ideology", is that Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom" lurking underneath the surface? Yes it has to be. Instead of "Chimes of freedom flashing" it's "sound of ideologies clashing". Hmm. Odd. Awkward, I'd say. The production choices are interesting, he never really goes full rock band, but most of the songs have extra stuff.. backing vocals here, a bass there, strings, or a snare drum, some echoey effects, a tack piano, a gang-chorus on the union song, and so on. I like the personal songs better than the political ones. "Greetings to the New Brunette" is a classic of the mid-80s indie rock world, up there with the Smiths and the Cure, oddball romantics all. "The Marriage" is right behind it, cozying up more to Prefab Sprout and its ilk. This was a good listen from a good bloke with a huge heart. *** As for other reviews, how about this one "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"? That reviewer was writing about himself, not about Billy Bragg. He and a few others see these lyrics as "complaining" or "songs of woe". What? What kind of lyrics do you want? Because if you could divide most pop/rock music into two categories, it's "songs of woe" and "songs of love". Sure there's Frank Zappa and Robyn Hitchcock and "song about frogs", or '90s/'00s indie rockers and songs about fuck-all, and the narrow swath of protest music, but damn, man, how ignorant can you be? As for complaints about his voice, I get it. It takes getting used to. I was turned off by it at first, but I'm super-comfortable with it now. Like coffee, I guess. Despite that, as I've said before, why take this 1001+ albums journey if you're going to be immediately turned off by something. Open your mind, or your heart. Side note: this album has 12 tracks. If you find a version with more, just stop at "The Home Front".
Clever album title.
Weird, something Frank would like, I have to listen to this again.
I love the message of the music even while not fully vibing with it overall. It’s a fine album.
Billy Bragg is a crack. So authentic and charismatic. I wish I was in 1986 listening to this album. I’d be social awoken and more than cool at the same time.
-my hopes were high because I really liked Mermaid Avenue. all I can say is that this was Not what I was expecting -to be more specific I did not particularly enjoy it. idk there was something about his voice and the style that that was very grating. honestly the first few songs were pretty good though so it wasn’t all bad -Favorites are Greetings to the New Brunette and Ideology
niin jälleen kerran tämmöinen tyypillinen, tämmönen kiva tämmönen albion album.. omg mut nniinku niin mietteliästä sanomaa rn tapahtuu, niin mietiskelevää saarnaa.. raha, rahat ja siis hake e money, its sa sin. just stay a wayyyy from my stack... seteleitä suuhun nom nom nom nom seteliäää.. lähinnä karsinogeenistä musiikkia tällä kertaa. bro ei ole morrisey,, laulappa omalla äänellä ei tarvi katsomoon sinne katsomoon laulaa vääristetyllä äänellä, ihan omalla äänellä voisi tehdä jotain ainutlaatuista mutta sen sijaan halutaan naminami seteliä.. seteliä suuhun vaan ja kartanolle... ja vihataan verottajaa.. train train
Love me Billy Bragg. Upset I hadn’t heard this album entirely before.
Early on listening to this, I was all set to give this one star, but as I continued to listen, I didn’t mind it as much. Even so, this one gets a generous two stars. Just some real weird sh*t.
Inget att hänga i julgranen precis
One of your proofs that music doesn’t change the world. Billy disappeared up his own fundament for a while believing I think he was the new improved Fidel or Lenin or Pol Pot. He just couldn’t bring down the Thatcher government. This is fine and worth one listen. 2.5. Rounded up in the spirit of socialism.
I always liked Billy Bragg's ability to mix the personal and political. He occasionally verges on the polemical, but generally his politics are well founded in real-life realities; what is the impact of employment practices and capitalism on the ordinary person's ability to live a life? And, at heart, politics are just another signifier of how we choose to live our lives. Which is why he has been such a strong voice against failings of personal behavior; homophobia, racism, domestic violence, exploitation, etc. And I'm on board with that. Politics is personal, and at this stage, he was stating it strongly with this mix of political songs (in the protest tradition) and everyday love songs. Billy Bragg was a popular troubadour for the left in the 1980s, and he got a lot of play on Triple J (Australian public alternative radio). I feel like I saw Billy Bragg at the Enmore Theatre around this time, but I don't have any clear memory of the show. I certainly own this record (and a few of his other records), which was de rigueur for left-leaning uni students of that era (as I was). This album was a delicate balance between his previous unadorned solo guitar style with some additional instrumentation, without over-egging the production. It's still pretty straight forward sound (which allows the songwriting to shine), with tasteful accompaniment. Kirstie MacColl and Johnny Marr lift everything they appear on, including their contributions here. Billy Bragg's subsequent history of closer involvement with party politics are more complex and, some might say, a bit compromised. Maybe it was more straightforward when we there was a clearer ideology to push against in the form of Thatcherism. Mind you, I am even more worried about the recent rise of extreme right-wing ideologies in Western (supposed) democracies; this could get ugly. Mind you, it shows how the concerns of this record are timeless; the rich and powerful will continue to ride on the backs of the workers (corporate profits are simply stolen wages, as my brother-in-law likes to point out). Side note: I appreciate Bragg's willingness to call out Morrissey's increasingly problematic political stances. I couldn't agree more. This album also contains 'Levi Stubbs Tears', which is an all-time classic song, one for the ages. 'Greetings to the New Brunette' is also pretty good. I haven't listened to this record in a very long time, and enjoyed returning to this record. I should play it more often... 3.5 stars, rounding up for 'Levi Stubbs Tears'
C: 6.5/10 pretty good, enjoyable, liked the one about marriage. I don't have tons to say about it.
So I had never heard of Billy Bragg before, and honestly I had mixed opinions. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of variety on this album. There’s some rock, country, slower ballads, etc. my only real complaint is that his accent is so distracting. Genuinely I had to listen to this album twice cause I felt like the first listen I was being unfairly harsh cause I was so distracted by how thick his British accent is. But on a second listen I started to enjoy it more. Really the star of this album is how great the guitar and piano playing is. I think if you are looking for something alittle different and slightly challenging, this is the album for you. Very interesting album.
It's okay.
Pretty good stuff here.
He seems a lovely left leaning chap but I find his voice so tiresome. A modern Woody Guthrie. He was dull too.
Ok, but not for me
I know every note and tone of this piece of work. A time of teenage political awakening. England in the 1980s in an industrial city that was falling apart, an angry punk poet with a guitar and I made a tape of the first two albums for my pal and between us we became the school Bragg fans. There's a point in time where I had seen Billy Bragg live more than any other artist. I saw him on this tour and still have the t-shirt. As time went on he did the Wilco stuff, put out decreasingly interesting albums and lost his way politically. It's as English as it gets, it's raw and it's probably baffling to any non UK audiences. But it is there in my own history of music and here it is.
Decent.
I have listened to this album at least 4 times and every time i have just lose focus, cuz it is so boring.
Coincidentally enough, I was doing my taxes while I was listening to this album. It did not help boost my mood. In fact, it was so boring and British that it put me in a worse mood and I couldn't wait for it to be over. The only reason it didn't get a 1 star was because I support unions. Nevermind, that cover of Tracks of my Tears was so horrible that I gotta do it. 1-star it is. Couldn't wait for it to be over.
По мнению А: 4/5 По мнению С: 4/5 ИТОГОВАЯ ОЦЕНКА: 4/5 (19.02.2025)
I always thought Billy Bragg would sound like a fisherman. I guess he does, but it’s a different type of fisherman than I expected. Overall, I’m just not sure how I feel about this quite yet.
A few classics, and some filler (I ignored disc 2 as usual). Scrapes 4 stars because of the classics. When I hear There is Power in a Union, it usually ends with the venue lights going out, the bagpipes starting, and the mayhem beginning. It's weird when the lights stay on and nothing happens.
dreary
Bit preachy but liked it
i would’ve much rather talked with the poet man about taxes. probably would’ve made for a better album. extra star for the song about being a cuck.
Ended up enjoying this way more than anticipated—especially the electric tracks. I'd probably give it a 3.5, but rounding up. :)
Cheeky lyrics, but the music doesn't grab me. Fun enough, though.
You must never cross a picket line
Somewhat enjoyable
maneirim maneirim
I made it four songs and couldn't do it. The voice is so grating
Billy Bragg is the proto-Frank Turner.
Always knew of Billy for his politic and social stance rather than know the actual music, seeming turning up on tv to talk about something rather than perform. Well, I live this, obviously Dylan vibe with the English slant. Obviously not the flow that Dylan has but lyrically interesting. Billy has no voice, but it kind of fits the poet with a guitar. 4 star, pleasantly surprised
I hate this
I cant listen to this nowadays but I appreciate the sentiments.
Talking with the Taxman About Poetry pulled me in early with a few standout tracks and Bragg’s raw, unpolished vocals—definitely an acquired taste, but one I’m into for the honesty and conviction. By the end, though, it felt like I’d heard the same sermon twice. Still, his mix of passion and kitchen-sink storytelling makes it clear why he’s a touchstone for socially conscious songwriters. Essential listening though? I'm not convinced.
Better production than most Billy Bragg stuff
Wholesome. And yes there is power in a union.
Great activist songs, albeit quite long.
*shrug* 2/5
i can’t stand british guys that sing like that
This was a really nice album to listen to. If I’m not mistaken, it seems to pretty much just vocals and electric guitar with not much else instrumentation. I’m not sure I’ve heard an album like that before. Sure, there are plenty of acoustic guitar album, but solely electric with nothing else is new to me. It really let the vocals and lyrics shine through without distractions. I definitely recommend giving this a listen. Even if it isn’t your cup of tea, it’s something a bit different.
80% Best: Greetings to the New Brunette; Ideology; Help Save the Youth of America; The Warmest Room Must-Hear? Maybe...
Right wing? Wrong wing!
His voice is not THAT annoying. Just a classic brit (but Anna and I have also been rewatching the Harry Potter series recently so maybe that contributes.) This is just some classic, political, salt of the earth folk. Really enjoyed this and was unfamiliar with Braggs work prior.
No mi onda. Supongo que no está mal, pero a mí me aburrió mucho.
British social protesting folk style
Ma ne znam, ima mi par fora trenutaka, ali većinom mi je dosta ravno i dosadno. Zvuči mi ko Bob Dylan na mrmi. 2/5, 3/10.
Meh
I think what happened to me here was I was listening and rather liking this album... but after a while the words began blending and I was feeling as if it were a bit redundant. Yeah, it's OK. But I think Billy Bragg is MUCH more likely to shine in smaller doses, like getting a song played on the radio now and then. That way we get the stories, we get the "unique" voice and melodies... but a whole album? I don't know. For me personally, I got kind of bored after a while. Overall he can go deep lyrically and has some mad piano... I see him as kind of folk... but not quite personal enough maybe?
Just struck me how few artists there have been who have really followed in Gurhrie's footsteps, with deeply political songwriting. You'd have thought the last few decades would have engendered (and could use) more protest singers. Anyway, not my personal favourite of his albums, but won't hear a word of complaint about him.
## In-Depth Review of *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry* by Billy Bragg Billy Bragg's *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry*, released in September 1986, stands as a significant milestone in the landscape of folk punk music. This album marked Bragg's evolution as a songwriter, blending his characteristic political commentary with more intricate musical arrangements. The production by John Porter and Kenny Jones introduced new textures to Bragg's sound, featuring contributions from notable artists like Johnny Marr and Kirsty MacColl. This review delves into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its influence, while also addressing its pros and cons. ### Lyrics Bragg's lyrical prowess shines throughout *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry*. His ability to weave personal narratives with broader social commentary is evident in tracks like "Levi Stubbs' Tears." This song tells a poignant story about heartbreak and societal expectations, encapsulated in the line, "When the world falls apart, some things stay in place." The juxtaposition of personal pain against a backdrop of social issues is a recurring theme in Bragg's work. Another standout track is "The Marriage," which critiques traditional views on love and commitment. The lyrics challenge societal norms with lines like "How can it make that difference if you and I are wearing that bloody, bloody ring?" This blend of humor and critique exemplifies Bragg's unique voice, making complex ideas accessible and engaging. In "Greetings to the New Brunette," Bragg captures the essence of youthful rebellion and political disillusionment. The song serves as both a love letter and a critique of modern life, showcasing his ability to tackle multiple themes within a single narrative. ### Music Musically, *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry* marks a departure from Bragg's earlier works, which were primarily acoustic guitar-driven. The album incorporates a fuller sound with layered guitars, brass instruments, and backing vocals. The inclusion of Johnny Marr's guitar work adds a distinct jangle-pop flavor to tracks like "Greetings to the New Brunette," enhancing their melodic appeal. The absence of traditional percussion throughout much of the album creates an unconventional soundscape that allows Bragg's voice and lyrics to take center stage. This choice emphasizes the storytelling aspect of his music, allowing listeners to focus on the narrative without distraction. ### Production The production quality of *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry* is noteworthy. John Porter and Kenny Jones successfully crafted an engaging sound that balances Bragg's raw vocal style with polished instrumentation. The use of brass instruments by Dave Woodhead adds depth and warmth to tracks like "The Marriage" and "Levi Stubbs' Tears," creating a rich auditory experience. The album also benefits from its concise runtime of just over 38 minutes, ensuring that each track feels purposeful and impactful. The careful arrangement of songs contributes to a cohesive listening experience that flows seamlessly from one track to another. ### Themes Thematically, *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry* explores various facets of life, including love, politics, social justice, and personal identity. Bragg's political activism is evident in songs like "Ideology" and "There Is Power in a Union," where he advocates for workers' rights and critiques societal structures. These tracks resonate with listeners who share similar values or seek to understand the socio-political landscape of the time. Conversely, Bragg also delves into personal themes such as love and heartbreak. Songs like "Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now" reflect on relationships with humor and poignancy, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter. ### Influence *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry* has had a lasting influence on both folk punk and broader musical genres. Bragg's blend of political commentary and melodic songwriting paved the way for future artists who sought to address social issues through music. His ability to combine serious themes with catchy melodies has inspired countless musicians across various genres. Critics have often compared Bragg's lyrical style to that of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie, placing him within a lineage of socially conscious songwriters. The album's inclusion in numerous lists of essential albums from the 1980s further solidifies its status as a significant work in music history. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** - **Lyrical Depth:** The album features some of Bragg's most insightful lyrics that combine personal narratives with political commentary. - **Musical Evolution:** The incorporation of more complex arrangements enhances the listening experience compared to his earlier works. - **Cohesive Production:** The production quality effectively showcases Bragg’s voice while maintaining an engaging sound. **Cons:** - **Limited Appeal:** While fans appreciate Bragg’s style, those unfamiliar with folk punk may find it less accessible. - **Absence of Percussion:** The lack of traditional drumming might detract from the energy for some listeners who prefer more rhythmic drive. - **Niche Themes:** Some songs may resonate only with specific audiences due to their focused political or cultural references. ### Conclusion *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry* remains one of Billy Bragg's most vital releases, showcasing his growth as an artist while maintaining his core themes of love and social justice. Through its rich lyrical content, innovative musical arrangements, and thoughtful production, this album not only captures the spirit of its time but also continues to resonate with listeners today. Its blend of personal reflection with political insight ensures that it will remain relevant for years to come.
There are moments, particularly early on, where we rise above the looming britpop slog that this record predates. Growing pains and angst can be felt throughout the first few tracks, whether it’s the jealous tone of the opening track, or the coming-of-age realizations in “The Marriage.” I personally love the surfer blues guitar riff and vocal melody on “Levi Stubbs Tears.” And that horn solo at the end? OOH! Love it. “Wishing The Days Away” is an equally wishful but gloomy singalong that I really enjoyed. “Deportees” is a highlight of disc 2, which is making a conscious effort to highlight social immigration and humanity issues at Americas southern border - it’s practically a protest song done in the Eagles lonesome western style. Then, “The Clashing Of Ideaoligies” is making me wonder if someone isn’t pulling the switches on what albums we get on specific days for this list. The song is a scathing set of jabs about corruption in parliament and government in general. One day after our own inauguration? Hmmm. Anyways. The good is really good, but this could probably be consolidated into one album to make it great. Instead, you’ve gotta take the good with the meh. Strong 3/5.
sko, mér finnast lögin ekkert spes en held þetta gæti vaxið, 3.5.
There is power in a union 💪
Billy Bragg sounds shockingly like an Irish Morrissey on this album, it reminded me of it the whole time. I liked this album a lot more than Mermaid Avenue, maybe because I've been primed on Billy already. But his folk rock is pretty consistent throughout the album, with a couple of high spots. There Is Power in a Union could definitelty be a blue collar anthem, and The Marriage is pretty ironic in it's bitterness contrasting with the joyous trumpets. My favorite is probably the bluesy Wishing the Days Away. Good album.
Bill Bragg is a folk icon. I should really look into his music more.
Strong outing from the true inheritor of the Woody Guthrie tradition – a clear demonstration of the power his stripped-down could generate (such is his full-on commitment). "This Year's Brunette" is first rate and the rest is solid, here a excoriating socialist-tending ballad, there a romping singalong. Still a good thoughtful and somewhat enlightening ride, if a little preachy and pedantic as BB can be. "Sin CIty" sounds full-on Gram Parsons. Would he disappointed to if one suggested he's smarter on sexual politics ("Marriage") than actual politics ("Ideology"). And it's odd that one of the outtakes from these sessions -- his take on "Tracks of My Tears" – may be the best cut, though not included. (Pro tip: his spoken-word "Walk Away Renee" is epic.) To be clear: Workers Playtime and Don't Try This at Home are much better records and fully deserve to be on this list.
alright
Good enough to make a Trotskyite out of this centrist dad These are just exceptionally well crafted and performed songs
Exactly how I expected a billy Bragg album to sound. Cor blimey guvnor, unions. Wasn't expecting the Huggies pull ups advert though. Mummy wow I'm a big girl now. Quite liked it though. Definitely has a style.
So I had no idea (and still don't) who the hell Billy Bragg is. Based on his voice, I'm left to assume that he's one of a few things: 1. The lead singer of an 80's Britpop band I probably wouldn't much like who has some solo albums 2. An English folk/folk rock singer 3. Both I don't know which, if any, he is. But I can say with certainty (at least after listening to this album) that I do not like his voice. A lot of British singers take on a more American voice when they sing. If they don't, they at least don't let all the harsh pronunciations of their uniquely British syllables shine through. I assume this used to come from the Blues-inspired British invasion bands trying to emulate their American musical heroes. But Billy Bragg seems to not even try to do that. Which, I mean, fine for him. It's his voice. But I don't like it. It's at times really hard to listen to. He even is able to rhyme words that, on paper, should not rhyme but do because of his pronunciations and accent. But ok, ok. His voice isn't the best. What about the music? Surely if the music is good enough, one can look past his voice. Look at Bob Dylan, or Neil Young, or Geddy Lee. People have very strong opinions about all those men's voices but some people love the music enough to look past it. Well, I hate to say it but the music wasn't good enough for me to look past his voice. Don't get me wrong - I actually think that in places, it's excellent. It has this unique, upbeat quality to it that is somewhat infectious. I love that. But the production is really what kills it for me. This came across to me as a folk record, or some offshoot of folk. You wanna know what really kills folk for me? The 80's production aesthetic. It works for pop, it works less well for rock, even worse for jazz. But folk? The most stripped down, simple sound? A sound that's meant to be about a musician, their instrument, and maybe a small band? The 80's production attitude is horrible for that. And for me, it tanked this album's rating. This could've received four stars if only it was recorded like a Dylan album. Maybe that's all I wanted this to be - a Dylan album. Maybe that's all I ever want a folk album to be. It's hard to say. Anyway, this gets two stars. Not because it was bad, per se. But because it could've been better. Standout Tracks: Ideology, Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now, Help Save the Youth of America, The Warmest Room
Interesting listen. Decent lyrics if not overwhelming. I'd listen to another album of it.
wasnt my cup of tea
I feel like I wanted to like this more than I do - like, I like Grace Petrie, I like Kae Tempest, I like Arab Strap, I like Frank Turner, hell, I like Billy Bragg - but a lot of these were kind of just there? There are a few absolute bangers in Levi Stubbs' Tears and the later tracks, but it takes a lot to win back the goodwill the opening few left me with. Still, I absolutely enjoyed this, I'm just being harsh because I like the genre.
I wasn't sure about this going in, but I really enjoyed it, inasmuch as you can enjoy billy's very angry songs.
I sit here listening to this album from 1986, reading an article about how the government is blocking plans for rewilding beaver in England and the Natural Sciences GCSE because they are "Tory legacies". To quote Ideology: "Outside the patient millions who put them into power, expect a little more back for their taxes - like school books, beds in hospitals, and peace in our bloody time... All they get is old men grinding axes" How have we not improved in forty fucking years guys, Jesus Christ.
Not my thing
I wanted to like this but over 1 hour of the voice has done me in. Maybe short short bursts are better…
dunking on thatcher is lit. i respect the dedication and don’t think i’ll listen to it a ton but ive also been soooo bob dylan pilled its tough!
Interesting
It is music that exists.
Only guy who can get away with using the word “ideology” in songs
Sing songy British folk punk. Not my kinda shite.
3.5 - I liked most of it, but not sure I'd sit and listen again anytime soon
I can see how this might be important music to some. Its political, cool. As the album title though its more like poetry. The music itself doesn't grab me much. A couple of times there was a pretty nice sonic palette like on The Marriage, and I also quite liked Levi Stubbs' Tears. 3.2/5
it was quite alright
These guys are punk AF, which I'm down for. But I don't like the lead vocals, he gets kind of whiny.
Приятный сингер-сонграйтер альбом. Лучшая песня - Greetings to the New Brunette.
I like billy bragg but I wouldn’t normally sit down and listen to one of his albums. This is good stuff
I've a lot of time for Billy Bragg. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time for his voice. Which is shit.
I’ve just never got Billy Bragg. He does what he does well but I’ve rarely heard one of Bragg’s songs and wanted to replay it. “Greetings to the New Brunette” and “Levi Stubb’s Tears” come as close as any.
Not enough of a Billy Bragg aficionado to know what his best album is, but most of what I considered to be his biggest, signature songs seem to be on his debut album, not this one. Still, I could be wrong, and maybe this is the pick of the bunch. The first 5 tracks are great and really distill what’s good about his songwriting, I think. After that I found it a bit hit and miss, though I’m still generally a fan, or at least a firm ‘well-wisher’ of his style. 3.5
I respect the earnestness of this, but the preachiness and the monotony both turn me off. I’ve always been a bit skeptical when people call melodies derivative, thinking that a good melody should always be a good melody, but this album really made me get that criticism. To be fair, it all might have worked better if he didn’t sound like… that. Best song: The Warmest Room
Billy Bragg always seems like someone I’d be into on paper, but it just doesn’t work that way in execution. The songwriting feels a bit generic and the themes a little too forced. Average.
Just ok
Was gonna write this off as too British for me but then I got to “There’s Power In a Union” and I have to give it up to the man purely out of respect and solidarity. ✊
Bringing the angry political singer into the age of the electric guitar. Powerful and engaging record!
Really impressed by this album so 5 stars or A.
Back in the day I found Billy Bragg a bit strident. Nowadays I like a bit of stridency. I am looking forward to playing this album. And after a couple of plays, this is an album I did enjoy. I'd say my preference is for the overtly political songs, and overall I did like the additional musicians compared to other 'solo' Bragg albums.
Æææeaaoo, deilig britisk slappstemma musikk
I always feel like Billy Bragg is yell-singing.
Billy here has a bit of a grating british voice, but I like this album in spite of it. Great lyrics and simple, catchy tunes. 4/5
couldnt get into it at all but i may be depressed
The strong point of this album is definitely the lyrics. They address themes such as love and politics in a very unique way. Billy's very strong British accent adds a charming touch to the minimalist sound, based basically on an electric guitar with very 80s sound characteristics or a piano, with some other instrument just providing a little support from time to time. Although minimalist, the sound of the album never sounds empty at any point. The lyrics are very captivating and tell stories that you want to follow until the end. I want to highlight the song "Honey I'm a Big Boy Now". Not because I think it's the best on the album, but because I think it's the most different. It's based on voice and very characteristic piano. I can imagine it being played in some American saloon in the 1800s. Only without the British accent, of course. In fact, it's an album that deserves to be heard before you die. I'm giving it 4 stars today!
Vagrant music
Perfectly mediocre music for blue class British people.
There are a lot of Billie’s in the music world. Billy Joel, Billy Strings, Billy woods, Billy Idol, Billie Jean. And Billy Bragg, I guess? I still really don’t know who this gentleman is, but the last time I spoke about him, I was covering his collaboration with Wilco. And I didn’t give it the most positive score. I thought the album was okay at best. I remember finding the songs where Billy was not the main focus to be the best. I did not find his voice very appealing. And so I wasn’t totally ecstatic to learn he had another album on the list. Now it has been almost a year since I first heard that record, so maybe if I revisited it, I would enjoy it more. But you know what? This solo record from Billy isn’t half bad. I think allowing his style in particular to shine actually makes for a better experience. And his very unique style of poeticism through the lyrics comes through way clearer. I found myself focusing more on what he was saying than the music itself at times. It’s what makes something like Honey, I’m a Big Boy Now. Aside from the first song, which is the best thing this has to offer by a good amount, the instrumentation is rather sparse. But it’s really the juxtaposition of what Billy is singing about against the music that makes this for me. It’s often very melancholic and sometimes even saddening, especially with his delivery. But the music does not reflect this. It’s much more upbeat. Many of these songs do fall into this weird 80s singer-songwriter thing, and that’s where I don’t connect as much. But I still think this is better than Mermaid Avenue. Rating: 6/10
Not my cup of tea.
Some really great songs on here. Billy hasn't got the greatest voice but it suits the material - a complete lack of pretention in his delivery. Levi Stubbs' Tears a standout - really simple arrangement, horns towards the end flesh out a lovely but depressing song. Some excellent contributors including Marr and MacColl really add some class.
A bit too long for me.
Really enjoyed this! This entire experience has taught me that if an album is folk rock I have a high chance of enjoying it.
Literally another Brit critiquing the US, two in a row. This album was ho hum at best.
A waste of time for sure his smugness was a bit much
That was dumb. I don't want to listen to some wanker who thinks he knows better than everyone else whine about how messed up society is for over an hour. Your voice doesn't sound good enough for that. Also the random pot shots at America were not appreciated. You don't even live here why you trying to tell us how our country should be? Kinda pretentious. Thus music was good though.
the stripped down raw sound & lyrics had a street busker vibe. was an interesting listen, just way too long.
En stark trea. Någon låt för långt och liiiiite liite för mycket pubkänsla. Annars en fyra. Albumet avslutar starkt vilket känns lite ovanligt.
I am not familiar with Billy Bragg outside of the Mermaid Avenue records he did with Wilco. I have always been curious about listening to his country punk protest records. This seems like a great start, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The vibe, the urgency, beautiful songs.
I don't know anything about Billy Bragg. I'm not encouraged by the fact that it's an 80s album, but I've discovered some decent stuff from an otherwise awful decade during this project, so we'll see. Yeah, this sucks. I love a thick Bri'ish accent as much as the next American, but this just sounds like a guy down the pub wailing at an open mike with a few too many pints in him. If I had to guess (and I can't be bothered to actually look it up), I'd say this is probably catagorized as new wave/punk? The vocals are definitely punk-like, by which I mean the guy can barely hold a tune. The backing music, however, is more like singer/songwriter territory. It's like if Hootie & the Blowfish had a baby with Billy Idol. It's not for me, is what I'm saying.
I went into this expecting find Bragg grating. At times I found the lyrics too forced left-fed left wing ideology but enjoyed the folk and some of the protest songs were really catchy
Doet me niet zoveel, prima nummers af en toe, maar ook niet top
oh he is the new england guy i like him!
Decent Folk Music
Repetitive but warmed up to it. Quite unexpected
++: Train Train, Ideology, The Home Front +: The Marriage, Levi Stubb's Tears, Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now, There Is Power in a Union, Help Save the Youth of America, Wishing the Days Away, The Warmest Room +-: Greetings to the New Brunette, The Passion 6,0/10
It's fine, nothing mind-blowing. Decent lyrics but I doubt anything will get stuck in my head
Some male vocalist's voices really don't land with me. The Cure, Morrissey, heck even David Bowie. Billy Bragg falls into this category. The music sounded pretty nice, but that voice, I couldn't get over it. Only made it about 1/3 of the way through the album. Not for me.
Better than I expected
A great step forward for Billy Bragg, adding deft instrumentation to a strong set of songs. That foghorn of a voice though ....
Det var en trevlig lyssning. Har hört lite Billy Bragg förut. Gillade det bättre för många år sen men kul att han dök upp på den här listan.
När jag såg albumet, titeln och namne som jag aldrig sett eller hört talas om, tänkte jag, "åh nej". Kul att jag hade fel! En skön mix av folk, singer songwriter, rock. Diggar verkligen skivan. När han sjunger "there is power in a union" blir man rak i ryggen och dras med, man vill stämma in i sången! (särskilt när kören kommer in). Men direkt med första låten fastande jag, det är najs! Sen gillar jag låtar som "hold the fort". Har lyssnat mycket på the Dubliners. Detta kan jag definitivt lyssna på mer !!
Börjar bra (första låten är bäst) och alltid uppfriskande med lite kamp. Medryckande och bitvis träffar han rätt, men över en hel skiva blir det lite för repetitivt och enkelspårigt för att kunna bli mer än en trea. Han skulle behöva haft en bättre röst för att lyfta till nästa nivå.
Ok, There Is Power in a Union and Help Save the Youth of American really need to go viral right about now.
I thought this was fine, but nothing outstanding, pretty typical Billy Bragg.
Neat I guess. As I reach the end I appreciate simple albums. Still doesn't do much for me but I'm happy it exists.
yikes
Interesting - felt quite timeless
It’s giving British bob Dylan.
Album 591 of 1001 Billy Bragg - Talking With the Taxman About Poetry (1986) Rating : 3 / 5 Not everyone will like this. I like Billy Bragg, accent and all. Listed as Rock/Folk/Punk. It does hit a bit on each.
Socialist folk punk, very cool!
4 really good
Despite being a British album, strangely appropriate for today's US Presidential Election. Pretty good overall, but a little long. The songs were starting to sound a bit samesy by the end. I liked the vibe though, and will be checking out more of Billy Bragg's stuff!
This man heard bob dylan and the smiths and thought "yeah sounds easy enough"
Folk Punk on kyllä toimiva combo. Brittiläistä musiikkia, mutta tässä on vahva jenkkituoksu kun ei aksenttia kuuntele. Mukavan lämmin fiilis kappaleissa. Parhaat: Greetings to the New Brunette, Levi Stubbs Tears, The Passion, Sin City (Bonus kappale)
Sounds like a British Bob Dylan. Good songs. Someone else needs to sing them.
Is he singing or moaning? WTF am I listing to? This is torturous. Gonna rate this shit 1 star
The dude has an objectively terrible voice and the lyrics are as stilted as the earliest protest singer/songwriters, but the music and melodies got me.
Good Irish Alt. I can see putting this on.
Good music with an okay voice. \"There is Power in a Union\" is an extra star on its own.
Just a beautiful, powerful and oh so poetic piece of work from an incredible singer songwriter who is also amazing live.
I liked this one. He's from the UK and a Few union guy
Boring.
It’s the kind of music you’d play to clear out a party… or a building.
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?
Don’t know if I agree entirely with all of Billy Bragg’s political statements, but it’s clear he has got a lot to say, and he generally get his points across well. This is definitely better than the album he did with Wilco, ‘Mermaid Avenue’, which is also in the 1001 albums book/list. Some genuinely good stuff on here.
Let me start by saying as someone going into Billy Bragg blind, I don’t think his singing voice is bad. Yeah, it is aggressively British, but it kind of works here. He is not a great singer, however, so the more the album progressed, the more he started to lose me. Honestly, my biggest gripe with this is that it gets somewhat monotonous as it goes on. The songs started to blend together, as they feel too similar to one another; the same style of folk with Bragg’s divisive vocals. The saving grace of this album is the lyrics, balancing between love songs and political leanings. This leads to some great lines like “Something that every football fan knows, it only take five fingers to form a fist” and “Sometimes it takes a grown man a long time to learn, just what it would take a child a night to learn”. Well-versed and unapologetic, this album makes up for its shortcomings with its politically poetic bite. Favorite track: The Home Front Other hits: Greetings to the New Brunette, The Marriage, There Is Power In A Union, Levi Stubba’ Tears, The Passion
Artiste inconnu. L'instrumentation est (trop) minimaliste, et je ne trouve pas la voix très agréable. Le tout est en plus noyé dans une reverb de hall de gare. Résultat très ennuyeux. =>1/5
A lovely record - interesting sparse arrangements. For starters Levi Stubb’s Tears is a masterpiece - but most of the songs here are also really good. Secondly - Billy Bragg’s political views are sorely missed in political discourse nowadays - unionization and unaccountability of corporations and politicians - and they give a certain British partisan flavor to these songs. Which I like. It kind of tapers at the end so it’s not a perfect record but it’s definitely a damn good one.
Some really insightful commentary in some passable melody
Was alright
I’m not sure if I wasn’t in the mood for this but I didn’t love it
This was an interesting listen. It's like someone mashed together country, folk and british punk rock into a single sound, but it's actually impeccably performed. The piano, guitar, mandolin, and BGVs were especially amazing. The melodies and accompaniment were sometimes pretty simplistic and derivative (There is Power in a Union sounded particularly reminiscent of some 60's folk song that I can't quite place), and Bragg's accent was particularly salty and grates on my nerves after a while, but I didn't hate it overall. Wouldn't listen again, but I appreciate it for what it is, three stars.
I was expecting his voice to be so much worse based on the reviews hahaha. Anyway, uh...I loved this?
Great songs and one masterpiece
I always liked Billy Bragg and own a few albums (not this one). However I also have to admit I don't put them on. So do I WANT to like him more than I actually do? Like other albums, I love the songs but an entire album tends to be a bit much. Likes: excellent melodic songs with some punk influences which I like, a socially engaged artist. Dislikes: given that the lyrics are so important, they are not that poetic - it's all a bit straightforward (non layered). His voice I find hard for an entire album. It's not very musical and a bit shouty (fits the lyrics though). It doesn't help that it's produced quite echo'y as if it was recorded live in a tube station. Which again, fits the content of the songs, but it's just a but much for an entire album. So I'm only giving it a 3* but they are the best 3* ever! Would be 4* or 5* if I just enjoyed listening to it more.
I had a hard time getting through this one.
2.5? Not sure if I enjoyed this. It was too long for one, and it didn’t really leave an impression
Not 2 bad - didn't listen to the whole thing but skimmed all the songs and so much variety!
This one was okay, a little droney and many of the songs sounded very similar however.
Some of the songs made me tear up a bit because I thought about them too much but equally i was glad when this album was over
Its decent! very dad rock IIRC.
3+ power in the union
kinda shit
Didn't know this one. Like it so far. Defeinitly re-listenable.
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.
Woke lefty nonsense (I had a good time)
Can an accent be too strong?
This one was okay. British rock/spoken word that was a tad too dry for me. Probably not worth a revisit.
I'm bad at listening to lyrics, but the music is good and the guys seem really into it.
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
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.
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
Est-ce la voix, est-ce l'accent? Cet album m'a ennuyée et un peu irritée, en dépit de certains arrangements intéressants (cuivres, notamment). J'ai aussi un peu l'impression qu'il parle à travers son chapeau dans les pièces d'inspiration folk américain.
Billy Bragg can fuck off, folky political bollocks
1. greetingz - 1.5 2. train - 1.5 3. marriage - 1 4. ideology - 1.5 5. tearz - 1.5 6. honey - 1 7. pouuer - 1.5 8. america - 1 9. dayz - 1.5 10. pazzion - 1 11. room - 1.5 12. home - 1 13. zin - 1.5 14. deportee - 2 15. pouuer - 1.5 16. tearz - 1.5 17. dayz - 1 18. clazhing - 1 19. brunette - 1 20. nurzez - 1.5 21. zignz - 1.5 22. fort - 1
Mostly solo electric guitar, not the best vocals with quite political sounding lyrics. Nothing special
eh
Kind of a Joe Strummer mixed with Against Me! vibe but nothing really stood out. Disc two was added during the 2006 re-issue so I only listened to disc one.
I wanted to like this but good god his voice
I did not enjoy this at all…
Talking with the Taxman About Poetry is the third album by Billy Bragg, originally released in September 1986. This is an interesting take on folk rock. There is minimal percussion throughout this album and it's pretty much just him and an electric guitar with tons of reverb. The lyrics are mostly centered around political themes, which is to be expected from a folk-adjacent album. The production sounds pretty 80s but in a Smiths type of way. There is a distinct new wave flare to this, maybe it's Bragg's voice. Pretty good album.
I didn't like this. The songs all sort of just smooshed together and when the second disc started, I didn't know because all the tracks sound the same. This is not a good record. I don't know what else to say.
Umm, yeah, this was weird. Didn't dislike it, but it would also not be something I would choose.
Grata sorpresa. La siguiente vez prestaré atención a las letras.
Better that the polemics might suggest
+1 for Kristy MacColl +1 for Johnny Marr
Odd, but I kind of liked it, but also didn’t.
Good not great. Like not love. 4
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.
could i write poetry to this? n
Admittedly, I only listened to the first disc. That was enough to know for sure that it just wasn't for me.
We live in such a varied cultural world and the fact that people like this both blows my mind and pleases me at the same time. Its awful dribble tripe, almost tortuous. But if we all liked the same thing this world would be boring. Not as boring as this album though. 0 stars if I could
Kind of endless
Very political
Not my vibe but... nice.
I had no idea who Billy Bragg was or what to expect with this album. I enjoyed a lot of this. It's mostly electric guitar folk (with some acoustic and country-ish songs) that has a lot in common with The Clash — melodically catchy, political, cheeky lyrics. This is what I wanted Elvis Costello to be. Damn, the lyrics of "Ideology" hit hard. It's a song that's almost 40 years old and even more relevant today than when it was written (it also borrows heavily from Bob Dylan's Chimes of Freedom). Ditto "There Is Power in a Union." "Levi Stubbs' Tears" is a great storytelling song. Unfortunately, the choice to make this a double album wasn't a great one. It starts to overstay its welcome, especially since the latter part of the first album and a lot of the second one have several slow acoustic songs that begin to blend together. I'd probably give it a 4 if it was pared down to one album of the best songs. As is, I have to round down to a 3.5. Highlights: “”Ideology,” Levi Stubbs' Tears,” “Help Save the Youth of America”
I’m the right context this could be incredible
This is my first one star. I don’t get this album one bit. They songs started sounding all the same and I fast forwarded past them.
intimate political folk that Bragg plays as no one
Very strong lyrically. Instrumentally it's a bit samey and basic but I do enjoy the guitar tones he uses.
Some great tunes I recognise! I'd listen again.
Not my type of folk rock. Not a fan of the vocals or the added country twang. Also there is no way this is "folk punk". Are you trying to tell me this and "Violent Femmes" are the same genre?
Hard pass
Non memorabile, ma nemmeno malvagio
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
..
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.
Maso
I like the instrumentation on some songs, but I dislike the vocals on all of them. Just couldn't get into it. 2.1
Bragg is an interesting artist, and demands another listen or two.
Blank voice, okish melody, unnecessary overall
Pretty decent
no, it's brit-pop
Likte da ikkje
Tidvis leverte da, kanskje eg like da bedre om eg gir da et par nye sjansa
You know this list feels guilty about an entry when they don't tell you the country of origin. Of course, they forgot to delete the part that says this charted at #29 in the UK. You can run but you can't hide. Welp, I listened and it's exactly as I thought it would be which is disappointing. These are the days, however, that I'm grateful we switched to an album every single day because there is always tomorrow and we are so close to the end.
Honestly, not a bad ride at all. I know we're oversaturated with UK albums, but we don't get muck UK folk, do we? I love American folk music, and to hear it from the UK is interesting. As a whole the album didn't grab me too much, but I appreciated a few songs here and there and the thematic writing for the working man was cool. Compared to all the copy-paste UK rock albums we get, this one's worth a listen. Favorite tracks: Deportees, There is Power in a Union, Greetings to the New Brunette, The Warmest Room. Album art: A sort of lo-res image from what I would guess is a political cartoon, looks like a big stump or something guzzling cash. The white and blue striped overlay makes this seems sterile, like a museum exhibit, we've had a couple like that before. Not sure if that was a reissue touch or what. 3/5
Sorry, really not my thing. Reminds me of a less fun Beans on Toast. I can imagine being in a packed but very still & quiet crowd at Glasto as my friends have dragged me to see him and I'm bored stiffless. Can see why others might be into but just not for me.
A handful of stand out tracks, but it becomes very repetitive very quickly.
Protest songs by the protest singer.
Music is good, voice is unbearable
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
It's like someone gave your left-wing art teacher a guitar and a record deal.
For as impactful and important as some of the lyrics may be here, the vehicle in which they’re delivered is mostly forgettable and at times, just rough to get into.
The humble Bragg folksily fuses personal and political, exploring matters of heart, mind, and society with his distinctive voice and songcraft.
I appreciate Billy Bragg's commitment to the bit. Not surprised to see it on this list. Has an amateurish feel that's slightly off-putting, what with the gigantic themes. He's like that dude who's always right and wants to bend your ear in a loud voice about how Reagan and Thatcher set us on the course to societal ruin, and you just came for the beer and the band. Guitar sounds like this dude in my town that is busking by the train station sometimes. Not a great player, but has a very STRONG approach, a bit too shouty. This album could (should?) just be poems, but that doesn't pay as well or get as many girls nowadays, does it? And by nowadays I mean the 20th century. Maybe it was the opposite in the 1800's? Some records take a lot more effort than others.
I haven't listened to Billy Bragg before but I'm immediately charmed by the first song on this album. I really enjoy being able to hear working class British accents in music, it feels 'real' and has great character. The short song lengths make me feel like I'm listening to an anthology of poems. I probably won't listen again as the genre doesn't do much for me. I can appreciate folk but it doesn't move me.
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.
2.75
I like Billy's accent & I want to go to the pub
4.0
I feel that I’d normally enjoy an album like this. Found it a bit of a yawn fest yesterday, couldn’t get myself invested in the lyrics, which were clearly the driving force of this album.
some interesting lyrics, pleasant to listen to, but nothing special really. 2.5 stars, rounded down.
I like it, typically political statements with sparse music make me cringe, but this one somewhat feels right. And all the fuzz about his singing, hey, did you ever listen to Mr. Dylan?
A lot of working class conscious protest songs interspliced with very typical dragging rusty raspy folk songs that feel as dated as their political counterparts are poignant.
At certain points, this was rough, but others it was actually enjoyable. Pretty mixed in general on this. 2.5/5
I didn’t like the part where he sang. I did like the part where this album ended and something enjoyable came on.
Wow, that was extremely boring. I tried to get into it as I usually enjoy albums in this style, but couldn't get invested at all. His voice is pleasant enough but that's about it. 2.5 stars
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 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.
I am partial to Billy Bragg and enjoyed this largely. However, it is long and his style can get a bit tiring. Some good tracks though: Ideology There is power in a union Help save the youth of America A nurses life is full of woe Hope there is more on the list. 3.5