Genre: Folk
Billy Bragg delivers a uneven bunch of songs that occasionally sound like a bored version of country music but at other times find the sweet middle ground where folk, country, and blues connect. The joke I remember about Billy Bragg is that he had nothing to write about in his political songs after Margaret Thatcher left office because his demon and muse was finally gone. The songs here don't try to mess with politics too much, the political messages that get mentioned are used to colour the character's world but not to rabble-rouse all too much. Bragg has taken a specific approach here, he uses country music as a background to his folk songs and it works for the most part but it is a very laid back version of country music to go with the soul-searching and contemplative mood of the album.
The albums highlights do outnumber the wrong or less engaging moments. 'January Song' is a great lead track. 'No one Knows Nothing Anymore' continues the good work. Then 'Handyman Blues' comes on with its jokey lyrics and really boring arrangement and the flow stops immediately. 'I Ain't Got No Home' picks back up the quality with the world weary and mature approach allowing the slow song to unfold with appropriate gravitas. 'Swallow my Pride' is another good spot much in the same mold. Then there are four songs that aren't especially memorable, 'There Will Be a Reckoning' tries to have the drama of a brash political song but sounds too laid back to work. The reaming three songs are intimate and lovely.
Overall, I think Bragg had a good idea but didn't execute fully. The best moments on this disc were worth the price of admission but this album is for a specific mood and may not appeal to everyone.
RATING: 3/5
Here is the video for Billy Bragg's 'Nobody Knows Nothing Anymore'
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