Album Of The Day

This is quite interesting - Didn't realise the 2nd disk was from a reissue and think it would have worked better as more of a mix of the two - the initial album has its moments but the delivery starts to grate.

Not my cup of tea, but alright.

The full band stuff sounds good when there's a more complex and layered platform for his voice that balances out his strident earnest singing. The jangly opening single New Brunette is a poppy gem of a love song; the bluegrass tinged Wishing the Days Away is a classic bittersweet ode to wasting time; the simply arranged The Passion has whistful interplay between Marr's pretty arpegio's and Bragg's tragic vocal in a cool hommage to British folk tradition; the bugle on Home Front add a powerful melodic counterpoint and a solemn timber that establishes the mood. But the more sparse arrangements with just acoustic guitar or piano sound focus too much attention on his voice which I find to be quite grating and flat. It's a lyrics driven album, but I don't have the attention to focus in closely on his verses. His political songs are engaging with their moment but that means they end up sounding quite dated and limited, or overly broad and generic. The romantic songs have a longer lasting appeal and manifest the tender humanism that's the actual emotional core and ideological center of his politics.

This man has the absolute most British voice I've ever heard. That's not why I rated it a 2 though, I just didn't like it.

Love me some political songs

This could have been a single disc great album but instead it's a decent at best double album.

Remember that guy you bought weed from a few times in college? He was a political science major, or philosophy or some shit, and when you bought your bag from him, he'd expect you to break off the first nug and smoke it with him, and once he'd had a couple long draws off the pipe and pass it to you, he'd start in on some shit he saw as a great indignity visited upon The People and he'd go on and on and you'd take a hit off the pipe and buckle up to be preached at for what seemed like hours and you'd nod politely and add a point here or there, but he wasn't listening to anyone but himself and you'd slowly become aware that music had been playing all along and it's another whining twat who also never seemed to shut up. That's Billy Bragg.

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

this album was so boring to me. shame cause the album cover looks so cool. i get that this is a political album so its meant to have this satirical tone, but i really did not care for this at all; felt so cheesy listening to this that i just wanted this album to end quicker. i had to take a long break between side a and b, and even dreaded having to listen to side b. i wouldnt say that this is a 1 because its not like bad bad, just really boring. 2 personal favs:

I was pretty annoyed with the singers voice at first but it definitely grew on me.

Not his best but ok. 2.5

The accent got to me after a few songs, but a very strong start to the album. Will need to check out more.

I did not enjoy listening to this. Sounded like a british man rambling on for over an hour. Way too long, and not engaging.

His voice is miserable to listen to. Didn’t find the instrumentation and lyrics very compelling either

"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.

Not an essential album for me but it wasn’t bad

Only knowing Billy Bragg from his reputation as a pivotal punk-inspired singer-songwriter in a time where Tories were ruling the UK with an iron fist, squashing the hopes of the working class. So it was pleasant to get introduced to his music in a proper manner here. Browsing through his other early albums, it feels like this selection splits the difference between his early barebones LPs and his subsequent records where the production is a little more sophisticated (alas, sometimes giving in to the trends of the day in a couple of cuts here and there). So I guess *Talking With the Taxman About Poetry* is an ideal entry point. Billy's vocals are admittedly rough around the edges, but the artistry still shines, whether it's for the political songs or the more narrative cuts about doomed romance. Some of the violin or fiddle arrangements are stellar. Oh. And "Train Train" was a nice surprise, all moody and cinematic as an early rock'n'roll pastiche. 3/5 for the purposes of this list. 8/10 for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: 134 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 372 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 221 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 278

Power to the union!

I just enjoyed it that's my note

Very english

I can't get past the monotonous, shouty voice. And that's coming from one of Mark E Smith's biggest fans. There just doesn't feel like there is much light amongst all that shade.

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

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

first listen i liked the accent

Couldn't finish.

Lol. Another UK bloke I've never heard of. I listened to this twice was just ok with it. Except for that one tune with the piano. That one was good.

Possibly the most annoying vocalist I've ever heard. I saw this come up and figured I would hate anything by this condescending, preachy twat - and indeed, it was an absolute horror of an album. I obviously stopped after the original twelve tracks, as any more of this grating bilge would have probably ended me. I think what I hate most about Mr Bragg is his black and white perspective on politics. He has the world view of a poorly informed six year old, "rich people are bad", "unions are good", etc. There's no grey areas, no subtlety whatsoever, just badly sung and boring songs that assume the listeners are already indoctrinated idiots. I'm all for folk-angst-politics in music, but not when it's done as clumsily as it is here. I think I would rather stand next to someone selling Socialist Worker for a couple of hours than have to endure this awful excuse for an album a second time.

I like the Scottish accent in here. I'm enjoying this more than yesterday's Rolling Stones. Really liking this! Getting 4 stars!

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

Punk comportado ou pop a querer trilhar o punk?

Folk punk. Me ha gustado. Un 4.

Very fitting listening to this on the first day with a Labour government

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

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

very brit

Great folk music, with heavy punk vibes.

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.

Fab x

dsaf

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.

Talking With the Taxman About Poetry is one of the most Billy Bragg album titles ever. While "Don't Try this at Home" may be my favorite of this era, Bragg's in his bag on this record too.

não aguentei ouvir até o fim. TERRÍVEL

Music was all over the map.

Hadn't heard this one but as a fan of BB's poiltical "fuck you" attitude it defintitely didn't disappoint. Nice arrangements.

I feel like I should be listening to this in a Pub at 1 AM after a few too many. 3/5

Really good album, I'm not sure it is an essential listen but nonetheless I would happily revisit it in the future

Tried to appreciate it as a working class voice, but it's just not fun to listen to. Plus Bragg himself is a case of "live long enough to see yourself become the villain" which takes away from his initial message 1.4

While I certainly agree with his messages and politics, I could not get past the whiny gratingness of Billy’s voice. I found the almost whimsical tone of some backing tracks to be quite jarring. The best cuts are those that have plucky guitar riffs and more complex percussion. I don’t think this is bad, but it isn’t for me. Listened to: on a plane from Puerto Rico to New York. Favorite tracks: There is Power in a Union

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.

Lyrics-drive music, few interesting bits and fragments, but in general pretty unremarkable and definitely unoriginal when compared to other albums from the list. That's it.

Favorite songs: Therr is Power in a Union, Greetings to the New Brunette, Help Save the Youth of America

This was dire. Hard to believe this is the same guy who caught me with “Mermaid Avenue”. Absolutely dire.

If you think the cover art looks cheap, wait until you hear the music. Nothing to bragg about!

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.

Thoughts before listening: Political punk influenced folk music. I mainly know of Billy Bragg because of the albums he put out with Wilco. Review: This is okay although I probably should like this more than I do. I usually love early Dylan/Woody Guthrie style political folk, but something isn't really working for me here. Maybe it's the 80s production and electric/distorted guitars that aren't clicking for me. Electric guitars don't sound right to me when they're played solo without a full band. An acoustic guitar can produce percussive sounds and bass notes to make up for the lack of a rhythm section while the electric guitar just creates noise. That being said, this is growing on me the more I listen. Maybe it takes a while to get used to the music style. This probably isn't something I would necessarily listen to heavily, but I can respect the intent here. I'd like to hear this album done with an acoustic guitar. 3-stars

Second Billy Bragg album from this list, and I can appreciate it for the lyrics, but I can’t connect to the music. 3/5

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

Working class folk punk poetry. Took me a few songs to get into it as I really didn’t care for the first track. Clever songwriting with a very British delivery. 3 stars

Two albums in a row for me that are in between a 2 and a 3. Nothing necessarily wrong, just a bit forgettable.

🎧 Sturdy folk punk album, heavier on the folk. Bragg brings romanticism, humor, optimism, and charm to his distinctly British musings. Bit dodgy innit?

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.

Good themes and music Standout songs: The Marriage There is Power in a Union Help Save the Youth of America

Given that he is known for his powerful storytelling, I wish I could understand more of what he's saying.

Not terrible but oh my god idc.

Every song sounds exactly the same. I thought it was decently good at first but really gets old fast. 2.5

I liked this one. Protest music is always fun and this one had an interesting vibe.

Interesting political tones and voice. Love folk and punk but not so much together.

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.

It's just not my kinda jam.

Not bad.

calm

Not a fan of his voice. Too many protest songs. Reminds me of Dylan but not as good. 2/5

Solid Brit protest folk rock.

Vocally reminds me a little bit of The Cure. Perfectly nice listen. 3.5

A nice, albeit pretty long (maybe i'm listening to the deluxe version?), album from a british folk singer. He sounds like Fred Armisen's Ian Rubbish character but there's good blends of rock, folk, and singer songwriter vibes all over the record. While there are so many tracks, they all tend to be short and the instrumentation is subtle but usually powerful.

This is like the 5th album I've gotten on this list of an old brit warbling over a poorly produced guitar. It's not ground breaking or enjoyable.

Blind album and artist. Pleasantly surprised and such a wholesome album.

did not like this one it was long and slow and boring.

Union song won me over

Unremarkable

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

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

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

Aldrig hørt en Billy Bragg plade før, det var lige mig! Forstår godt hvordan han endte med at lave musik med Wilco.

Britisk lejrbålsmusik ..

Totally unremarkable. It was relatively short. No need to revisit.

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

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

Not bad even if it’s all over the place. 3 stars

4-

Verbose

Not for me.

Not my jam

Wow. I had no idea Billy Bragg was so versatile. He reminds me a little of Richard Thompson, but probably not as much of a dick. Or maybe more of one? I don't know. I liked the lyrics, the palpable passion, and the musicality, but I probably wouldn't voluntarily listen to this album again.

We need more Billy Braggs. This album is brimming with powerful images, stories and messages of equality that are still so real. That could get weary but not on this album.

Not for me. It's fine, but my tastes like outside of this work.

Like a British Woody Guthrie. I liked it.

This album is long as hell. Felt like I was doing a homework assignment for extra credit. I like a few of the songs though! I’m still undecided whether I hate or love his voice…

OK, not bad. Electric guitar.

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

2 I put this album on, and the only way I was able to tell when a song ended was when a Spotify ad popped in. Otherwise, these songs all sounded to similar and forgetful that for a great majority of them, I genuinely could not tell where one started and one ended. While listening, the songs were palatable, but they instantly went into the back of my mind because I just didn't find anything at all interesting to focus on. Nothing terrible, there was some pretty nice guitar playing, but aside from that there was just nothing at all even worth paying attention to.

This is probably fire if you’re British

I enjoyed it! Not sure what people are talking about with the voice its not THAT bad. And the guitar work is pretty nice

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

I enjoyed this. Had heard of Billy Bragg, never really listened to him before. Good album (esp Disc 1). A minimal set of instruments, but the music and lyrics often move in unexpected ways. Good stuff.

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

‘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.

I'm a bit at a loss on this one. First, I love the title of the record. I don't even have to understand what it actually means. Second, hats off to anyone who can make a name for themselves with basically a guitar, a voice, and some songs they wrote. The production is a little more than that here, but not by much. And, while I haven't listened to a ton of Billy Bragg in my life, I feel very familiar with his music. By the way, is there a more British sounding vocalist — ever? So, the album... I liked it, couldn't really dig into the lyric on every song, though I'd call "Ideology" a miss. He gets a bit monotone, for all the accolades for his melodies, it gets a bit tedious over the course of an album. So, I liked it on many levels, and sort of had to slog my way through it in others. I'd considered a 4-star, but at the end of the day, I didn't like all of it enough to get there. So it's a three+. Good show.

I don't know. I want to like BB, but I just can't connect. Politically, I'm with him. I dig his spirit and his accent. But his songs just don't work for me. I've tried.

Back when he was everyone's darling, he wasn't mine. Then my good friend slipped Mermaid Avenue in my CD player and I changed my tune. Now after a 2-disc listen...I'm changing back. I can only take so much of that Essex accent in singing. (Nik - am I right that it's an Essex accent?)

Billy ain’t gonna win any singing competitions. However, his writing is top drawer.

Meh. Rating: 2.5

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.

Decent folk music. Nothing outstanding, middle of the road

54/100

3.5 I was surprised to see how many reviewers knocked this for the guy’s voice. I am usually very susceptible to focusing on a voice I find grating and decreasing the rating because of it. While his voice isn’t good, I wasn’t distracted by it. Slightly above average album for me. New to Billy Bragg and happy to have discovered Greeting to the New Brunette and The Marriage. Not rating on reissue material but this cover of The Tracks of My Tears was interesting.

Not sure I had really ever heard of Billy Bragg. Overall enjoyed the album and music, would listen to again!

C'était une sonorité très intéressante. Le mélange de post-punk et de folk était vraiment bien fait, comme une version accoustique des bands 80s de ce genre. Ça ne m'a pas jeté par terre mais clairement le genre d'albums qui vaut la peine. 7/10

+100 for an excellent album title

Very good. 4

I know he is a UK National treasure but it all sounds the same to me!

Pretentious twat

I like it. Way better than some of the other British indie we’ve heard.

A solid folk rock record with great lyrics and energy but kind of samey songwriting, and some arrangement and mixing choices that don’t quite work for me

Unique and cool voice and sound. Great overall feel to the album.

he soñado que le poníais todos 5 estrellas :(

No sé quién es Billy bragg pero está guapo

I actually liked it more than I expected.

In spite of sparse instrumentation (just a dude with his guitar for the most part), this album buzzes and jolts along at a frenetic pace through syncopated strumming, a deft touch with effects, and the occasional tambourine, handclap, or striking of a metal bar. The lyrics and vocals are passionate, witty, blunt, and dead serious.

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.

# 185 : meh! Nothing in here does it for me and it's way too long. Rather ordinary and not very spectacular, maybe even a bit boring complete with mono-toned vocals. It’s a snooze fest!

Very relaxing.

Billy Bragg är ju Billy Bragg.

Favorite Tracks: Greetings to the New Brunette There Is Power in a Union Help Save the Youth of America

Lot of whining

Mhhhh.... kann man mal höhren, ich weiss nur nicht wann und zu welchem Anlass.

Enjoyed listening to most of this album

The original issue is pretty good. The double album reissue drags on a bit.

I like the message, but the music doesn't do it for me.

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!

Really liked the cover of Tracks of My Tears

Didn't know him, liked this a lot.

Never heard of him before and I was quite surprised by this album. Sounds like Bob Dylan and The Clash are having a pint together. 😉 3,5

Meh. A little too "working class Brit" for my tastes.

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!

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

I feel Billy's music/voice isn't for me but appreciate he has something to say. I don't normally listen to close to lyrics but did for this one

I can’t stand his voice and the deliberately crap style.

Hard to argue with stuff written and sung with real conviction

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

I liked the music, but I did not enjoy Billy Bragg's voice. It was enough to take me out of songs.

Turned this off pretty early, we didn’t dig his voice

Anothe Singer-Songwriter with his guitar. Not too good, not too bad.....

There nothing to Billy Bragg about this record. In fact, vocally, it sounds like something I would mockingly do. Billy Bragg is like Alan Doyle to Europeans. Some East Coast Gaelic sounding songs, that typically I'd enjoy.. But there is nothing more than a sub par, barely hitting mediocre song on this record. The vocals sound awful. The mixing is poor. The guitar tone is dreadful. In one song, Only Bad Signs, the guitar and the vocals just don't match up at all. Nothing lands on the same note. The guitar sounds like it is playing a different song than the vocals. Perhaps this was a live off the floor recording, to get that east coast live pub feel...? Doubtful. This album took me a lot of tries to get through. Usually I can sit through a record, start to finish. But with this record, I just wanted it to end. An hour plus of music and not a single song that I could say anything positive about.

Production is too low-fi for me. Not a fan of his voice. It was hard to actually hear the melody of the songs in some cases. I get the sense that he's a strong guitar player, but it all just sounds muddy and tinny and distractingly shrill. Not a fan.

Three songs in and I’m sick of it. Don’t see how anyone outside of the UK can connect with this. Folkie rally songs. Lame. Hate to do it but I have to give a 2.

At first I really dug this album but the second half was a complete snoozefest. Extra star for writing such timeless songs.

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.

I want to like the music of a guy who's as much of an idealist as this, but unfortunately he's no Woody Guthrie.

Super jangly acoustic tunes with his charming British delivery of punky folk tunes. Part Clash, part Elvis Costello. None of the songs have the catchiness of either of them, and this probably works best as an album than singles.

I’m off to Brighton to set up and run the most left wing political group from the beach. It MUST NOT trip over into Communism! Good but ill never listen to it again 3.3

Oi really did nowt loike dis awbumm. And it 'ad two discs! Just a guy singing with his electric guitar... did not like this voice. I hope this is the end of Billy Bragg for me.

Another album and artist I am fairly sure I had not previously heard. This album is a.mix of political and romantic songs but there is a simplicity and unfiltered style prevalent throughout.

I don't mind politically minded records, but I generally enjoy them most when they are either expressing righteous fury or are subtler but musically interesting. This is pretty uninteresting folk and I find Bragg's oi oi cockney singing voice very grating. Rating: 1.5/5 Playlist track: Levi Stubbs' Tears Date listened: 14/02/24

Skip the 2006 reissue and save yourself 30 minutes.

Wanted to love it. Didn’t.

Talking with the Taxman About Poetry is a nice little listen. Billy Bragg is a remarkable lyricist, wordsmith and storyteller. He can't sing, but never gives you the illusion that he thinks he can, or that it detracts from what he's trying to do (whereas Liars yesterday clearly think they're doing something revolutionary while producing horseshit). The music is stripped back but delivers just enough to pair with the words while not overshadowing them, it all works quite well without being spectacular or superb or anything, just a good thought-provoking listen. The Warmest Room probably my favourite track.

He really sounds like Paul Weller, but with crisper pronunciation so you can actually hear the words. I like this - he's a clever lyricist, and there's enough in the music to make it not too repetitive (though it does become a bit of a drag towards the end of the hour). I prefer him when he's a bit less political tbh, There Is Power In A Union and Help Save The Youth Of America are just a bit corny - he's better when he's talking about love, life, but he's also good when criticising (both political and otherwise). 3/5.

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

Fine, I guess

At some level, hearing irish dudes whine about parliament is abrasive and privileged as hell, but on another level it's punk as fuck.

Nice discovery. Not 100/% my style but I enjoy voices. Best pieces at the begining. Then gets a bit long

Punky

Very enjoyable. I could listen to more of this.

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

Favourite track(s): Ideology; There Is Power in a Union; The Home Front Only electric guitar and vocals on quite a few tracks. Who would have thought these two on their own could carry a song. At the very least, this style comes with the potential to rally people. Or maybe I just get that impression from the lyrics. When there is additional instrumentation, it supports the track well - like, for example, the trumpets on The Home Front, evoking an ironic feeling of proud nationalism. A collection of hymns, chants and ballads which I could listen to again.

I'm weighing the arrangements and the instrumentation against the terrible voice. This is certainly Bob Dylanesque in that regard.

Didn’t hate it. Would never choose to listen to it though.

Didn´t know this musician. A pleasure

If you told me this album was recorded in 1996 or 1976 or 2016 I wouldn’t disagree. Guy with guitar sings some overwrought songs about social issues and girls. Probably worked on these songs by singing them in coffee houses and pubs and on the street. I like some of these songs, but a lot of them are forgettable. Maybe they would’ve meant more to me if I was born 20 years earlier and was in my 20s in 1986. But, man, I was way more into the movie RAD and hair metal back then.

This is one of those names like the Replacements or Elvis Costello or Tom Waits that are perennial critics darlings that I tend to avoid. So … this could be something awesome or something annoying. Let’s dive in! Greetings To The New Brunette - hokey fuck-stix this has got a lot of reverb. This song blows, the sound is not really my sound. This bodes ill for this album. Sorry Billy Bragg fans! 1/5 Train Train - well that was a sudden change in direction. Love this more blues sound. 3/5 The Marriage - ok, not my favorite but this guy’s got some serious songwriting range. I feel like I’ve stepped into three different albums so far. Lyrics are inspired, pro-parent sentiment. Not a teenager’s album. 2/5 Ideology - Seems to be a bit of the British Bob Dylan. English political song, like the very definition of a topic I would give 2 poops about. 2/5 Levi Stubbs’ Tears - well I hate this song too. I’m not a huge fan of hometown narrative song you might get from Springsteen etc. 1/5 Honey, I’m a Big Boy Now - what time period is this album happening? 1910s? 1/5 There Is Power In A Union - Lefty protest song. Sure, whatever. Not my thing. 1/5 Help Save The Youth Of America - ok, there was a chance this wasn’t this guys shtick but it very much is. I’m sure this is great for someone. Just not me. 1/5 Wishing The Days Away - got a country vibe other than the British accent. 1/5 The Passion - ok working class living working class life. 1/5 The Warmest Room - 1/5 The Home Front - 1/5 Usually, when I hear an album I heavily dislike, I can still see why it’s on the list. This is no different. British working class folk anthems from the 80s don’t really jive with me. I’m sure this is the premo example of the type of music, but I so just hate it. Also, there’s a type of music critic darling that is really backward looking. I’m sure this guys songwriting craft is 2nd to none. I wouldn’t know Because I can barely listen to it. It definitely feels like he’s 20-30 years too late, and that was in the 80s. 1/5

This is more what I was hoping to get from 1001. Amazing albums outside my usual queue. I've heard a few Bragg songs in the past and generally found them agreeable. There were several great songs here but it did drag on a bit after a while with the samey sound.

5 stars. 6 maybe.

I liked it

Just a nice standard 80s singer songwriter pop album, nothing really that special, but it's good at what it does and is perfectly enjoyable

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.

Some good songs here, especially protest and union songs. Not just Unisex Chip Shop.

Ekki mitt te

Niet helemaal mijn ding

De titel van het album is wel mooi. En muzikaal is het hier en daar wel origineel / creatief. Het stemgeluid van Bragg staat me echter best wel tegen.

Gek album, had een 2,5 moeten zijn, maar half puntje extra omdat t Billy is

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

it was fineee but also weird and idk got boring after a while

Good easy listening album. "Tracks of My Tears" version was good.

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

Instrumentals are good, but I just hate this guy's voice. It sounds like Garth Marenghi from Darkplace, which isn't a good thing. Boring

The song Help Save The Youth of America wants to be I Fought The Law so badly and it’s simply not. He is very British that’s for sure and I honestly kinda like it. Favorite songs are Greetings to the New Brunette, The Warmest Room, and There is Power in a Union.

Good listening, nicely structured songs, great lyrics.

I enjoyed this quite a bit

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

Good god seriously? I forced myself to finish and hated myself for it.

1.5 - Oh my God, he is SO British. I found his voice to be really, really annoying and I just couldn't get past it. Maybe I'd like this music more if there were a different vocalist, but not by much. I was glad to be done with it.

Escuché a Billy Bragg en su época, medio de rebote, siguiendo la estela de otros grupos ingleses, en ese momento me pareció "austero" y a día de hoy lo sigue siendo pero para mi gusto ya es algo aceptable y no un problema. Me gustan un par de canciones ("Levi Stubbs' Tears" y "Help Save The Youth of America") y sigo creyendo que "A new England" es lo mejor que ha hecho y representa mucho más su espíritu. No es mal disco pero no es imprescindible.

This was underwhelming.

British Billy Bragg begs Buckingham bequeath Barnabus' basketball bungalow before breaking bread beside billiard Bob. A Folk legend with great songs.

Decent lyrics. Not my style of music, though. 80's folk misses for me.

Irgendwo zwischen Blur, Oasis und Fisher Z. Britpop IMHO, ich gebe wieder eine 3.

"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

If I had to guess what Thatcher-era UK indie folk sounded like, it would be this. Not bad, but probably a working class banger in the day. Funny how he's the only british person whose accent comes through when singing. 3.3

Enjoyed this! Interesting and diverse sounding sounds track 3.5

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

Between a High 3 and a 4 Probably needs a deeper listen to get a 4

Folk punk is not my jam, and I’m not likely to listen to this again. That said, this is like The Clash and Woodie Guthrie collaborated on a side project. The guitar melodies are very nice, but, oh my, his voice is just irritating. Decent, but just not good enough to be a 3.

Pretty interesting stuff. Enjoyed the lyrics and he had a pretty good take on "Tracks of My Tears" but I can't stand his voice. 3.5 stars

Some interesting lyrics, some cringe lyrics. Music is OK.

I never folk punk was a genre, those seemed like oxymorons to me, nonetheless, this was pretty good. 4/5

I really like this!

interesting album, would like to listen more.

Could easily be mistaken for Elvis Costello.

Always had respect for Billy Bragg. His musings and critiques on Thatcher are well served here. The problem is its too folky for my tastes. Wish it was punkier and the music just as biting as the lyrics. It's decent but it could have been better.

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

Protest singers should be judged by the reality of the things they advocate for. In the last thirty years, every issue this blockhead sang for has come to fruition and England is a hell hole for it.

I think Billy Bragg is a good musician, but I listen to music to have a bit of fun, not to be lectured about politics and societal problems.

Great!

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.

Meh. This is not my jam. Vaguely folk music sounding interpreted through a drumless punk aesthetic with lyrics about labor disputes and taxes just didn't do it for me.

Really like the lyrics/storys, but hate his voice so much.

Aggressively English. Some good songs, mostly forgettable. An okay listen

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

I quite like Billy Bragg - this was a decent enough album. Don’t feel the need to hear it again for a few years.

Nope 1/10

Oh boy. That’s a voice I’m not able to get behind. I prefer silence to this album. The instruments were fun but that vocalist is horrible. Will our entire group give this a 1 star? Bet. 2/10

This guy sings like he is doing a fake British accent. Theres really just not much to it. I feel like there is only one dude in this band because the lack of other instruments is telling. He’s telling stories but 1. i could barely understand him 2. They are boring stories. “Honey, I’m a Big Boy Now” was utter shite. Why did it randomly become country? Deportees was hilarious and so completely out of place. Man the longer it went on the more annoying it got. Waste of an hour honestly. 2/10

if zach v and thom yorke had a kid it would be this guy - sometimes he really has a zach tone about him and the lyrics are like thom yorke political statements but if they were really in your face ! didn’t reallly like it that much tho “honey, i’m a big boy now” was good 3/5 not for me but i appreciate his words

I genuinely can't tell if this is a good album or not. Every other album I've listened to, I've been able to determine whether it was good or bad. Abbey Road is a good album. A Date With The Everly Brothers is a bad album. As for Talking With the Taxman About Poetry? I don't know! This album has some stuff going for it. The instrumentation isn't bad at all. The way the music sounds is pretty decent. The writing, while a bit weird at times, contains some good lyrics. The messages are definitely respectable as well, with "There Is Power in a Union" being a fairly nice song about, well, power in forming a union. There's just one *small* problem with this album. I can't take this seriously, and it's all because of the singing. It's not painful like others on this site have said. It's just goofy and not fitting for these songs. Maybe with a better singer this would be definitively good. However, I can't say that I didn't feel anything. If there's one thing that this album isn't, it's boring, which should warrant a 3 or higher, but can I really say call this a good album? While there was some genuine enjoyment, some of it was also pretty ironic. Is it bad? Is it good? Well, I think I should look at cultural impact as a sort of tiebreaker, if you will. I wasn't able to find any significant cultural impact for this album, with Billy Bragg's career having a very minor cultural impact. Because of that, I think giving this album a high 2/5 seems fair. EDIT: Yeah, the singing wasn't nearly as bad as I first thought it was. I re-listened to this one too and I actually think it's quite good! Billy Bragg's vocals still aren't my favorite or anything, but for me to give this a 2 solely because of them was just wrong. The writing is great and the instrumentation is pretty good too. I actually like this! I still don't love it per se, but I can appreciate this a lot more now than I did before. 3/5.

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.

Billy deviates from his tried and tested shouty/left-leaning/3-chord guitar riffs here. Mixing in some bluegrass, country and gospel shows that while he still very much sounds like Billy Bragg, it does expand his repertoire.

That union shanty was a corker

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It gave me a real sense of the place, time and cultural context in which it was made. I’m much more drawn to his political stuff but found the lyricism of the romantic songs charmingly honest and self deprecating. Ideology made me want to march on parliament. Love it so much. Power In A Union also obviously great. In general the second disc from the 2006 reissue doesn’t add much, with the notable exceptions of Deportees (heartbreaking) and Hold The Fort (SLAPS)

I really enjoyed this. Political, powerful, honest.

Not for me, too folksy

The Dylan of my generation, but better.

I give this one a big hell yeah.

Almost made it through the first disk but I could not stand that voice any longer.

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.

Classic Bragg. Prefer this to the Mermaid Avenue album.

Liked the music and lyrics, but really hated his voice and accent.

I liked this

Interesting album. Found myself trying to mimick his accent instead of focusing on the message and music. Noticed the album was a folk album on electric guitar with unique use of synths and other instruments. Might listen again. 2.5

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

So lyrical

I freaking hated this. I wanted to turn off every song and it was a massive struggle to get through.

king krules dad

Não é ruim, mas não tão empolgante, uma que outra até chama atenção

I never heard of this before and to be honest, I do not feel i missed out.

Les seves peculiars formes i fons van adquirir aquí la seva millor expressió. La seva portentosa veu destacant sobre la guitarra acústica, que malgrat l’austeritat sóna lluny del folk tradicional; la cuidada producció li dona un toc més modern i millor armat del que és habitual al génere. I, per suposat, les lletres, el Ken Loach de la música, sempre compromés políticament, però sense deixar de banda els sentiments que ens fan humans

This is some pretty weird stuffy. But there is some strange vibey-ness to it, that makes it tolerable at worst, and oddly enjoyable at best.

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.

Too spare, too strident, and - I never thought I’d say this - too British. I like the lefty fuck your Seeger thing. But yeesh it gets old real quality.

I do like his silly accent and lyrics. It has this organic pre-punk feel with still playing folk style music. It can get grating after a while and this album is much too long,

Bon folk,auteur compositeur interprète. C'est le genre d'album que jaime genre de folk rock, avec uune petit voix country. 4

Billy Bragg has 1 good song and it isn't on this album.

Enjoyed this. Although Marr was wasted on his tracks! Like an angry, young Alan Bennett with a guitar.

✊✊✊

Huh.

dumb as fuck

Brilliant collection of songs, including the fantastic Levi Stubb's Tears!

Wikipedia said this is folk punk, and I guess like yeah?

I like the sound and feel of this album, even if the lyrics can be a bit overbearing. Bragg is not a "good" singer and yet his voice and passion works really well here. High 3 low 4 for me, but I've given out a lot of 4s and 5s this week, and this isn't as good as those, so I'll land on 3.

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.

Pretty good lo-fi protest album. Not groundbreaking.

Very political, very British. Pretty solid overall. I like how he transformed Dylan’s Chimes of Freedom into Ideology.

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

This guy sounds like someone making fun of annoying British singing. The instrumentals are pretty decent on the whole but I won't be listening again. At least it's not boring.

I like the effort, but his voice is really limited, and there isn't much diversity of sound. It's not offensive, but it's not good, either.

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.

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

My first impression is "Painfully British" Not a fan of this album or style. It is really simple stuff, but I just can't stand this guy's voice. A high 2 out of 5

More like Billy Drag hehe xd No, really. It feels much longer than it is.

yet another album that leaves me wondering why it's on the list

It kind of reminds me of those really old union songs that workers would sing whilst working, and I think that's neat with modern production, but it is also overwhelmingly British, in an annoying eay like many Britpop artists, and that makes it so the album ranges from actually decent to incredibly annoying. By the end, it doesn't really leave any sort of an impact. I think more to the production or even less to the production would help, because it doesn't sound bombastic like the instruments try to make it sometimes, and it isn't personal like the lyrics suggest.

Talking With the Taxman About Poetry

Billy Bragg

Reviews (page 6 of 8)