Reviews (page 5 of 7)
I liked this one. He's from the UK and a Few union guy
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.
Was alright
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 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.
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
Woke lefty nonsense (I had a good time)
Can an accent be too strong?
I'm bad at listening to lyrics, but the music is good and the guys seem really into it.
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.
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.
+1 for Kristy MacColl +1 for Johnny Marr
Odd, but I kind of liked it, but also didn’t.
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”
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.
Non memorabile, ma nemmeno malvagio
Pretty decent
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
A handful of stand out tracks, but it becomes very repetitive very quickly.
It's like someone gave your left-wing art teacher a guitar and a record deal.
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.
2.75
I like Billy's accent & I want to go to the pub
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.
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
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.
This could have been a single disc great album but instead it's a decent at best double album.
I was pretty annoyed with the singers voice at first but it definitely grew on me.
Not his best but ok. 2.5
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
first listen i liked the accent
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.
very brit
Fab x
dsaf
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.
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
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.
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
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
🎧 Sturdy folk punk album, heavier on the folk. Bragg brings romanticism, humor, optimism, and charm to his distinctly British musings. Bit dodgy innit?
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.
I liked this one. Protest music is always fun and this one had an interesting vibe.
Not bad.
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.
Union song won me over
Not bad even if it’s all over the place. 3 stars
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.
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…
I enjoyed it! Not sure what people are talking about with the voice its not THAT bad. And the guitar work is pretty nice
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Really liked the cover of Tracks of My Tears
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
I liked the music, but I did not enjoy Billy Bragg's voice. It was enough to take me out of songs.
Anothe Singer-Songwriter with his guitar. Not too good, not too bad.....
At first I really dug this album but the second half was a complete snoozefest. Extra star for writing such timeless songs.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Some good songs here, especially protest and union songs. Not just Unisex Chip Shop.
Gek album, had een 2,5 moeten zijn, maar half puntje extra omdat t Billy is
Good easy listening album. "Tracks of My Tears" version was good.
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.
I enjoyed this quite a bit
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.
British Billy Bragg begs Buckingham bequeath Barnabus' basketball bungalow before breaking bread beside billiard Bob. A Folk legend with great songs.
Irgendwo zwischen Blur, Oasis und Fisher Z. Britpop IMHO, ich gebe wieder eine 3.
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
Between a High 3 and a 4 Probably needs a deeper listen to get a 4
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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)
Classic Bragg. Prefer this to the Mermaid Avenue album.
I liked this
So lyrical
king krules dad
Não é ruim, mas não tão empolgante, uma que outra até chama atenção
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.
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,
Huh.
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.
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.
Drôle d’album, faut s’habituer à la voix du chanteur, mais après c’est du bon indie avec des paroles weirds
Kind of enjoyed this. Like a punk version of The Smiths, mixed with The Clash. Got a little more peppy in the 2nd half of the album. The style is a bit slow for me and not a single instrument played well. Would listen again, but it wouldn’t get a lot of play. Like Leonard Cohen - if you don't dig the voice, then this guy is not for you. And there was this dude a year above me in school called Billy Bragg. He was an absolute Lad.
Not really my thing, but interesting.
I do like Billy Bragg, but this album was a bit of hit or miss for me. 3.5
Åkå
If we came upon a drunk Londoner singing in the gutter outside a pub at midnight and you told me that was Billy Bragg, I would not question you.
I should like Folk Punk a lot more. This just falls so flat. I don't dislike it but I had higher expectations.
Well as a union gal there are obviously some anthems on there for me! It's nice to hear vehemently left wing sentiments, even if workers rights are getting worse again and there's the same ol' shit from 1986. I appreciated this, but perhaps wasn't my favourite style I guess.
Classic Billy Bragg. A mix of political angst, romance, nostalgia and memories. The songs are fleshed out more from his first 2 albums, and there are some fine tunes here. Train train is a bit lost in all this, but the rest of the album gives you plenty to hang your hat on.
I enjoyed the musical aspects of this album. I didn't listen much to the lyrics (again) but I feel like this is an album where the lyrics are most important. Feels very patriotic/anti-establishment. I actually listened to this one twice because I forgot to rate it after the first listen. Probably won't listen to this one a third time, but I have really enjoyed it. It's classified as punk, but doesn't suck!!
Un vrai membre de la team
une sieste de plus
I don't have the time to really sit and listen to the lyrics but some of the lines I caught were really good. Maybe one day I'll revisit this album and feel silly that I only give it a 3/5, but today it is what it is.
It’s fine but it feels dated
The Wikipedia page really turned me on this album with a bunch of possibilities in mind. Yeah, it's good, but I was expecting too much from an album.
Great live. Bit hit and miss here. He has better.
эти акценты и голоса такая Британия тех времён. но фолк панк видимо не мой жанр)
That accent is… wow.
Man this is a direct time tunnel to Thatcher era England
Eh, it was okay.
Lekkere Britse rocks; luistert prima weg, maar is niet heel spannend.
A little protest-y (and a bit lengthy) for my taste, but I did like about five of the 23 songs.
Nice. Some strange instrumentation.
Pretty good.
Musically acceptable, vocally annoying.
Wikipedia lists this one as "folk punk", which I think is close, but not entirely accurate. It definitely has some folk, and maybe what I'd generously call "punk", but probably call either country or bluegrass, and maybe a little rockabilly. I like the sentiments on the record, but it didn't do too much more to wow me. Favorite tracks: "Honey, I'm A Big Boy Now", "There Is Power In a Union", "Help Save the Youth of America"
A surprisingly robust singer-songwriter LP with some instrumental weight behind it. The chorus-heavy guitar and plentiful accompaniment means there’s a good deal of melodic meat and potatoes here to back up and bolster Bragg’s lyricism.
Love the political message, not the biggest fan of the jangly guitar and voice.
- Some solid tracks in here - Very political - Wouldn't go back to it
Billy Bragg may have the most thoroughly Bri'ish voice I've heard, but I've always liked his stuff. Pretty good album, I think my favorite songs of his aren't on this one though. 3.5/5
Probably should explore more of his stuff.
meh
Cat: it’s pretty interesting stuff. I like that it’s so raw and isolated sounding. Storyteller lyrics about people and politics makes me really lean into what he’s saying over the actual music. Some heavy shit. I liked it! AJ: Jaunts. Romps. Simple words with a lot of meaning behind them. Jangly guitar poetry. I’d like to drink a pint with him.
This album is very British - enjoyed the political message and storytelling.
"Greetings To the New Brunette" opening this album had me hooked. I felt fully encapsulated in the universe of Billy Bragg. Then the horrendous "Train Train" followed and I was pulled back to reality. Billy Bragg is a great songwriter and I appreciate his no-bullshit lyrics - to some extent. The in-your-face style of his writing with an almost complete lack of metaphors at first felt refreshing but soon I found myself bored by his sheer bluntness. There's some great tracks on this. There's some really stupid track on this. The cover is great though.
Rating: 6/10
Classic Billy Bragg…
eh 6/10
I always find Bragg interesting. It just turns out I enjoy him a lot more with Wilco.
Skemmtileg stemming. Ekki genre sem ég dett í mikla hlustun á samt.
Ce Billy Bragg m'a été vendu comme un sacré client par eltrapeze, vous vous doutez bien qu'il n'en a rien été. Passez votre chemin.
I usually love singer-songwriter stuff but I could not connect to this at all
Standouts: Greetings From The New Brunette Others: The Marriage, Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now. 3.5
I felt affectionate towards this record, in the same way I would towards a 16-year-old telling me about joining Extinction Rebellion
Maybe I need to be more British to get the full Bragg experience but an enjoyable album all the same. Fave track is Greetings to the New Brunette.
There’s a weird association in my head between Bragg and Robyn Hitchcock, which is strange because I listened to Hitchcock in High School and I didn’t discover Bragg until my 20s. Now, though, when I hear either I think of the other.
This was some cool 80’s tunes. Nothing really stood out though
Quite good, very politically charged in a way that still resonates today in British politics. (As I write this a lot of the country is shut down due to industrial action, and let it be known that no, I do not blame the unions.) The voice took a bit of getting used to - it honestly feels like a football chant. However the songs are great. The one thing that will stop me from going back to it too quickly is the fact that I just wish for a break from all the politics in the world right now, even if not afraid to do my part to change the world for the better. Favourite: Help Save the Youth of America
Extremt blandat. vissa grejer var superbra, medan andra…. not so good
Came in biased (love Billy Bragg!). A nice, predictable set of tunes from the union man.
Folk Punk is a genre that I am into (currently loving what Laura Jane Grace is doing). Billy Bragg is a talented songwriter and there's some real gems here. Unfortunately I find his voice slightly irritating which takes me out of it a bit. I have the same issue with Rage Against the Machine. Great band but Zack de la Rocha's voice is grating to me. Anyway solid album 3.5 stars.
Solid.
Good music but a little flat, songs end up sounding very similar.
Okay British rock about social and labor issues
Extremely British album. With Bragg's thick accent and intricate guitar work, Talking With the Taxman About Poetry continues to fascinate me with every new song. Each track is like a new vignette narrated by Bragg, exploring new sounds such as the rhythmic chugging along to mimic a train on Train Train, or honkey-tonk piano on Honey I'm a Big Boy Now. I think this is generally good but it's so jammed with different ideas that nothing sticks with me for long before moving on to the next song with the next idea. Additionally, thick British accents tend to annoy me and this was no different. I think there's value in Talking With the Taxman About Poetry, but it's too unfocused for my liking.
Well. This is certainly weird.
Booo
one thing this list of albums takes into account is albums that contain very different genres! but sometimes the result is not good. i was apprehensive about a combination of folk and punk and suspected it would be grating, but instead it was good and interesting. it was an even mix and didn't lean too hard in one direction. i was definitely impressed with how frequently his songs obviously reference a political message. not only that, but quite a range of political topics! some even seem early for 1986. folk and punk have a long history of using music as a medium for a political message, and briggs leaned into it.
I won't lie, I definitely groaned when I saw the "punk" and "folk" genre combination here. Something about what this project has brought to the table thus far in those realms had me feeling like this would be a mix that would drive me to drink. Essentially, after hearing the album, I can say that what I was expecting was an album full of stuff like "Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now". Fortunately, that was not the case. This album straddled a nice, palatable blend of the two genres. I found it to be a relatively pleasant listen. The socially conscious lyrics really stood out among all of this, as well.
Bragg is badly preachy but skirts doing so bad. It's a good trick, like the sequencing, building political diatribes out of love songs. The instrumentation of the closer is particularly bad, but I found the final, sampled seconds particularly good.
Débuts prometteurs, mais toutes les chansons se ressemblent au final, dans un album beaucoup trop long.
Very folksy.
Sehr chillig zum hören, geht leicht runter, gute Stimme, gute Melodien.
I started to listen, but never finished it. I will come back to it.
Okay tunes
On some level, if you voluntarily listen to Billy Bragg, you're going to go into it expecting a certain level of activism and sticking-it-to-the-man. I wasn't prepared for a full-on union anthem, though. I liked it. I imagine someone who disagrees with him or thinks he should tone it down won't enjoy their time with it, but it's a nice enough album. Best track: Wishing the Days Away
I think I gotta be in the right mood to listen to this guy, not bad though
I had Elvis Costello yesterday, so I’m kind of done for cynical, middle aged, poetic singer song writers for this week. Not a big fan of his tone but he’s got a fair amount to say for himself, rather depressingly just a relevant today as it was in the mid eighties.
Levi Stubb's Tears is one of the best songs of the 1980s. I love Billy Bragg. However, I only have so much patience for the formula (extremely British guy wailing accompanied by a solo guitar in a very large reverby room)
I was a big Flogging Molly fan growing up. I always saw Billy Bragg as an influence or similar band. I can see why.
Billy Bragg doing what he does best.
A very... ok album. I have little to say about it other than that it is, indeed, music, and that it has very clear political leanings behind it. As far as the album itself goes it is very middling. Ok to listen to but not particularly exciting and nothing about any song really stands out.
I enjoy his storytelling. The songs don’t really fit in a playlist but stand on their own as an album
Music to be listened to with subtitles. My little beard had now been smoothed into right-on correctness.
Not a bad folk/punk album (didn't really think I'd string those two genres together) that's full of the plight of the British Battler. It's quite heavy on the political themes, particularly left leaning, and challenging the societal norms. The musicianship is easy to get into and sounds quite uptempo and the message could quite easily get lost in the vibe. Best: Levi Stubs' Tears Worst: Wishing The Days Away Note: Spotify had the reissued edition & I only listened to the original 12 songs from the album.
I like Billy Bragg, but his gift is his songwriting and I generally am not attentive enough to listen and parse the lyrics. As a result, all of his songs sound somewhat the same to me.
Normally, singer-songwriter albums do not seem to fare well with this reviewer, but where Billy Bragg gets a pass is by making it melodious and sensical, and way less trapped in a coffee shop with no way out. The album may not capture one's heart but it will and should capture one's ear. Musically each song is a safe listen, a good listen, satisfactorily inviting. If the listener does not like it, it is okay, the album still seems to genuinely wish for you the best of the day. Being mid-80s at release, one can still hear the remnant of 70s light rock but there is something quite different in the imagery that the songs provoke. The image and feeling is very much not the 70s, and it certainly is not the pop renaissance of the decade either. If anything, this album is again, a welcoming respite and perhaps a glimpse of what 1980s singing-songwriting could have looked like had the decade not sold itself out to electronically produced instrumentation.
A better songwriter than singer, i maverick liked billy bragg as I have always felt that politics and music should be kept apart. I’ve mellowed a bit as the years have progressed but I still feel he should stick to songwriting
Quite good. Ibraghs just so earnest and his voice so samey that you can o ly do a couple of tracks at a time. 3
Billy Bragg, whoever that is, has a strong, clear voice. I like his accent and his guitar playing isn't half bad either. Levi Stubbs' Tears stood out. Not that interesting overall, was glad to finish. Should probably listen again to do my man justice.
A few good songs, but far between them on this 2 cd set
3.5
Really great. Enjoyed it. I knew the first song, that was it.
Pretty good songs, but not for me
I've always dug Billy Bragg's vibe more than I've dug the songs, though there are a fair number that I like a lot. A New England is one of those. But I also really love the commitment to just him and a guitar most of the time and how he's able to create pretty potent experiences with just those two things. Sometimes these songs fall into the background for me, but it's something I'd listen to 8 times out of 10.
Okay not sure I really remember
Fav Song: The Warmest Room
Not bad, but nothing special. I've tried to get into Billy Bragg before and it's just not for me.
I owned this at some point in the past though I don't think I bought it for myself. I can't argue with the musicianship though it seems like pretty bog standard neo-folk but to me the lyrics and vocal delivery haven't aged so well- song craft these a very definite back seat to the polemic delivery.
All the songs sound basically the same, which is fine, because I like it, but it does mean that the album drags a bit towards the end. Very english, so I'm not sure how it would go across further afield - I'm scottish and don't always get all his references! Help save the youth of America is the best song, I also liked the home front and ideology
Good drunk British music.
I could see myself getting drunk and singing these songs really loud
Okei nice, musa ei aluksi napannut, mutta veikeiden tekstien ansiosta lämpenin lopulta.
Help Save the Youths of America oli hyvä. Vähän yllätyin, että vaikka luulin tän genren tippuvan mulle, miten kädenlämpöinen fiilis tästä levystä jäi. 3/5
First half was Billy at his best, rough and raw. Second half let it down a bit.
Love the sentiment but the music just doesn't move me as much as I'd like it to. Good bloke though.
Pretty basic music, up and down song writing, but i like most his messages
23rd December 2021 Listened in the shower and while getting ready. Spent the day shopping for Christmas food then came back, played a couple of games and decorated the tree. Gains momentum throughout, powerful, raw and passionate songwriting.
Fun, folky rock. Certainly evokes a time and place.
lidt fesent
Pretty good! Like the songwriting, though I wish there was more percussion.
6/10
Non-toxic masculinity
Rock pop
Lekker, krijg toch weer zin om ouderwets de straat op te gaan om te protesteren.
Niet heel spannend maar goed uit te zitten.
Enjoyed the Tracks of my Tears cover. Don’t mind Bragg’s voice, but I don’t care enough to go here again. Neutral.
Usual political balladry - voice and electric guitar - but with addition of full band in a few other songs. A good representation of Billy Bragg.
Like being in the hippy fields at Glasto
geen al te speciaal album. Wat folky/country sound
Typical Bragg
Eh. Thought I’d like this more than I did
Pretty forgettable if you ask me…
Alright is billy. Some good tunes
Didn’t mind it, the album was just a bit too long.
Oito. A vida são três minutos e 31 segundos. O meu Carnaval dura pouco mais que isso. Atenção à distância entre as portas e a plataforma, que a perna é curta. MotA: "Shirley, It's quite exciting to be sleeping here in this new room"
Good. Great songwriter.
A pleasant surprise. I never realised he was so melodic.
An interesting listen. The album sounds a bit like if The Clash did 60s protest folk. And I kinda like it! His voice is interesting and I can see how it might turn some off, but it works for me in much the way that Dylan's does. It's not about the the sound of his singing, but about the message he brings in the lyrics. Those lyrics are pretty political, but in more of a poetic, Woody Guthrie/Dylan way than, say, the hit-em-over-the-head messaging of The Kinks' ARTHUR album. Still, I'm not sure I'd put this album in my rotation. Rather, if I heard him playing at a festival or rally, I'd appreciate him being there and sharing his viewpoint with us.
pretty enjoyable, would be interesting to hear these songs with a full band. Would like to listen again sometime and really focus more on the lyrics.
Like the riffs and the guitar. Not a fan of the singing.
There is a direct line from Billy Bragg to the type of music I normally listen to (decemberists, fleet foxes, Courtney Barnett). That being said I appreciate the album but a lot of it sounds very samey. There is just not a ton of variety.
Never really liked acoustic music, I heard Bragg referenced and covered in high school a lot but never listened. The first half of this album is really fun and not what I expected, up to Help Save the Youth of America I really enjoyed. It was all punk unplugged. From Wishing the Days Away was a boring mix of folk and country, just not something I like. Would love to hear more of his stuff that sounds like the first half of this!
This style of folksy music isn't usually my thing, and this album was listenable but a lot of variations on the same thing. Sin City is my favorite off the album. Overall the vocals and forgettable melodies make this an alright but stale experience.
This was another ok album. Not really anything to say though. Worth a listen without the extended instrumentals, covers, and alternate versions.
A quandary of needing to give two albums the same score even though I clearly like one more than the other. I liked it more than the previous Bragg album but not good enough for a 4 to show that preference in the ratings.
To the union, to the revolution!
The first thing to know about Talking With The Taxman About Poetry is that it's a folk album. The primary instrument in these songs is electric guitar, adorned with the occasional violin, trumpet or organ. The arrangements are sparse, but effective and varied. As an instrument, Billy Bragg's voice is humble and plain, well-suited to the folk idiom. The point of this music is the songs themselves, which while simple, are tuneful, with thoughtful lyrics about a variety of topics. Still, I don't understand why this album is on this list. I cannot imagine this LP rocking anyone's world. It breaks no new ground, in fact, it's defiantly retro. That said, on its own terms, Talking With the Taxman About Poetry is pretty much perfection. How to rate? I cannot in good conscience give this any higher than a 3. 3/5
Some good jaunty tunes
Tranquilo. Guitarra acústica. Buena voz
Always love the punk + folk genre, and pretty sure BB is iconic for this sound.
Creo que las letras están bastante bien. No conocía este género, folk punk, que a decir verdad no me encantó. Quizá escuchando canciones aisladas le pueda dar mayor valor a su obra, porque un disco completo me resultó demasiado aunque no estoy muy seguro del por qué. Podría ser únicamente su voz. 2.5 estrellas que suben a 3 como reconocimiento del mérito de esta música, aunque no es muy probable que me vuelva fan del género ni que vuelva a escuchar este disco completo en la vida. Songs: Train, Train, Wishing the Days Away
Interesting album. Kind of reminds me of an old Irish folk album. Don't think I'll rush back to this one, but it wasn't bad either.
Such a fun album.
Quizá no sea un disco muy sorprendente pero sí es música que me agrada. Ya conocía a Billy Bragg (aunque no lo recordé de primera instancia) porque canta con Frank Turner, que me late mucho. De hecho Turner invita a Bragg por ser de los pioneros de este sonido mezcla de punk y folk que tiene letras como de todos los días pero con tintes políticos y de molestia social. En fin, me gusta el estilo de voz y la simpleza musical, que le dan para llegar a la tercera estrella.
Enjoyed the 2nd half a whole lot more. Seemed more unique and interesting. First half seemed a bit generic. Not bad may give it another go
Not bad. Nothing memorable.
An interesting album, almost entirely the artist and singular or simple instrumentation. Not every tune did it for me, but it's definitely something I could play in the background. As such, it's in 3 star territory.
Nothing stands out. Decent songs and decent feel. Lyrics are forced.
BRI'ISH INNIT
This was a fun listen and a cool English punk/80s vibe
Great album, but i still love the Back to Basics stuff best.
I bit preachy but I like the sound. Reminds me of frank turner
3.5 stars, if I could
4/10
As someone who absolutely loves his collaborations with Wilco, I was fully expecting to enjoy this one. Unfortunately I really disliked it. The songs are just fine, and I wouldn't mind seeing them performed live but it isn't anything I'd listen to in my spare time. The voice grated on me quite quickly. Really surprised at this one. Favourites: Ideology?
Quickly falls into whiny hippy music (I like the cause but no the music)
About as fun as the title
I did not want to listen to 70 minutes of this on my run. But it was there...
I only knew Billy Bragg through his work with Wilco. This wasn't like that. It was ok.
Kind of lacking and boring music to me. I get the lyrics is a big part of this kind of music but to me that is an extremely small part of music listening so I don't really take that in to consideration (as apparent by earlier reviews). I couldn't get in to this at all and can't really remember a single song on the album now that its over.
it just felt like the same song on repeat. And it was a super average song where this guy tries to be a punk rocker with his personality but also super sensitive? It just doesn't work
Not for me
Folk-punk, sommige nummers ok, soms zeikerige stem
Bit promising to start, but failed to keep me interested, like, at all.
Oasis but with more whining and somehow sounding like country.
Petardopolois, flaco nosos bob dylan, mientras que el vaso mas diri es el mio, esto no es lo mio
Not awful but kinda sounds like a drunk Englishman who decided he was gonna sing/make an album Or like a bar band There is Power in a Union was good but other than that was not great; kinda a rough listen
Meh 1.5
Not my favourite Billy Bragg album. Quite dull and dreary. Next.
2.9/5