Reviews (page 8 of 8)
I don't know what it is, but this album just doesn't work for me. I think it's partly Mr. Bragg's voice, partly the compositions, and partly the entirely unsubtle lyrics. I could probably work with this if it was just two of the three, but it sadly falls flat. Favorite track: probably the one about trains
I have said before that I don't like politics in music. But if that's what you want to do then the quality of the music has got to shine through first and foremost. Unfortunately Billy has completely failed in this respect. His voice drones on, and for the most part is tuneless. The music is bland and uninteresting. I can however understand why this is here, unlike many of the items included in this list. And he can write a good track when he puts his mind to it, because he has for others to perform. None of that can rescue this piece of rubbish though.
This album is very rough around the edges
I'm sorry, I can't.
Preaching, shallow Punk Folk.
Not for me
Het nummer Train train vond ik wel aardig met de violen, maar voor de rest kon ik er echt niet goed doorheen komen. Ik kan daarom ook niet veel anders zeggen dan: dit is niks voor mij.
Op advies van Timo alleen disk 1 aangezet en zelfs die met moeite afgeluisterd. Schel gitaar geluid zonder andere instrumenten en een stem die vermoeit maakt voor een album waar geen enkel nummer in een van mn playlists gaat.
Oef.... Ik begrijp dat het een wat ouder album is, maar ik ben niet door disk 1 gekomen. Deels te weinig tijd, maar ik kon ook de schelle gitaar op een gegeven moment niet meer aanhoren. Tot aan dat punt helaas niets noemenswaardigs positiefs gehoord 🤷♀️
OK? The guitars would be absolutely OK for an improvising busker, or for a friend at a campfire. Even then, the vocals would not be acceptable though. Constant changes in volume don't make the voice sound any less monotone, just more grating. Couldn't stand more than the first half the album. But since everything sounded the same there, I'll just assume the rest sounds the same too.
Not for me but also not an easy listen once I locked in. Listening to it while at a drive thru. It's a 1.7 or 1.5 so giving it a 1.
interesting, it’s not usually the kind i’d go for, but it was okay
No comment
3/10
Stopping this halfway through. Thick British accent rambling on and on is too much.
Etwas eintönig.
Can’t sing, can only play the most basic guitar. His saving grace is his politics which are delivered with the subtlety and nuance that makes left wing ideology so easy to ignore. And I do consider Myself left wing.
Do people actively search this out and sit down at the end of a day and listen to this? Or is this just an album people have to show how liberal they are without actually being liberal? It's just so boring.
1.5 - Bad
I went in expecting to like this as I enjoy folk singer/songwriters but I kind of hated it. Big part was his voice was just obnoxious to me and I didn't enjoy the production on this either sometimes it sounded almost muffled. Lyrics also didn't really do as much as I was hoping. Very disappointed
This British boner sucks
This album was not for me but his newer stuff is decent
2/10. If I were the taxman, I would ask Billy Bragg to shut the fuck up.
Holy shit! This guy’s voice fucking sucks. All other aspects of the music is great, but damn, that voice sucks.
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 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.
Ugh, what a slog...
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
Inget att hänga i julgranen precis
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.
I made it four songs and couldn't do it. The voice is so grating
I hate this
wasnt my cup of tea
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.
yikes
Is he singing or moaning? WTF am I listing to? This is torturous. Gonna rate this shit 1 star
Boring.
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
I did not enjoy this at all…
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.
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
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.
Hard pass
Likte da ikkje
I didn’t like the part where he sang. I did like the part where this album ended and something enjoyable came on.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
did not like this one it was long and slow and boring.
Pretentious twat
I can’t stand his voice and the deliberately crap style.
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.
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.
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
Ekki mitt te
Good god seriously? I forced myself to finish and hated myself for it.
This was underwhelming.
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.
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
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
Almost made it through the first disk but I could not stand that voice any longer.
I freaking hated this. I wanted to turn off every song and it was a massive struggle to get through.
I never heard of this before and to be honest, I do not feel i missed out.
Billy Bragg has 1 good song and it isn't on this album.
dumb as fuck
Billy Bragg. Auto 1 star.
Too whiny for my liking
Oof, was that second cd really necessary? I only could wish for it to end
Wasn’t my cup of tea
10/10 message, 100% based but musically shite
Really not my cup of tea
Wolfie "Citizen Smith" meets Chas and Dave meets Elvis Costello... and spues out political communist protest songs against Thatcher in support of the miners strike in the 80s... I remember thinking his stuff was shit back in the day, we alll did, well apart from my mate Stevie Baker who thought Billy was a cool up the revolution guy, bless him, he didn't know any better, but nah, listening to it again, 40 years later its still shit.
Fuck billy Bragg
Madre mía,vaya tostón…pobre recaudador de impuestos(PSP)
I vote Labour just to get Billy Bragg to shut up.
Not even going to warrant a full listen on this one, my family love him for some reason, heard it all before, complete and utter garbage
kopija smoths i jos neceg
Possibly the most grating voice in popular music.
Feeling suicidal? Life getting you down? Feel victimised? Don't worry. Billy's got this one covered. Absolute dross.
Boring
To me the production quality of this album and it’s overall sound seem behind the times, even for the 80s. To my untrained ear, by the time he recorded his most popular track “California Stars” in 1998 his sound had matured considerably. Or maybe he just got a much more talented producer.
Huonolla tavalla ei ajaton levy: kumman kuuloset taustat paikoin ja lyriikat aika naivistisiakin.
Ymmärrän idean (The Clash meets Bob Dylan), ja sille voisi olla tilaustakin, mutta lopputulos on yhdentekevä (akustinen kitara meets henkilö joka lukee silloin tällöin sanomalehteä).
Great rhythm section!
oh my god this album is so boring. I feel nothing 2/10
Thought this might be a 2 but it just kept going and getting worse. 1 save.
Excessively British vocals are as grating to me as modern country vocals. There's good album here somewhere but sadly it's buried beneath the sounds of an old Englishman who had one too many at the pub.
At first, folk and punk seems like genres lying on two opposite extremes of music. So what should we expect in "folk punk"? Well, folk and punk still have something in common: politically charged tracks. And Billy Bragg pushed the poetic storytelling of folk and the energetic angst of punk to create this album. The title itself summarizes this attempt. It's a genuine attempt, I guess, but it's a weak one. The tracks felt flat and shallow. Also, I don't think weaving those political proses with such an annoying voice is a good idea. DEFINITELY a difficult album.
Vraiment pas mon bag D'un ennui... j'ai pas terminé Important j'imagine pour le propos engagé parce que c'est sûrement pas pour la musique et les arrangements...
Bragg sounds like he's desperately trying to be Ian Dury on some of these tracks, although without the charm, intelligence or charisma. I get that this music is political, but can't music be both political and fun? Oh, the cover of "tracks of my tears" isn't great.
Did not pay attention the lyrics, I probably should have, but the music itself was a bit too boring for me.
Well the music was shit. Probably a societally meaningful piece of art based on it's lyrics, for some people at a certain point of time. But that has gone and passed. Album should not be on this list.
Billy Braggs vocals are absolutely infuriating to listen to.
Looking at some of the stuff around this album, a lot of them refer to this album as intelligent and rocking like punk. This album is neither. I will not be listening to the second disc, and I could've done without listening to the first. This is like listening to The Clash's singer sing over Bruce Springsteen songs. The only song that I even find tolerable is "Train Train".
Nothing I liked about it
a boring swamp thing
Not it chief
Boring
Terrible