Barking’s finest export returned earlier this year to
deliver ‘Tooth and Nail’, his first studio album since 2008’s critically
acclaimed ‘Mr Love and Justice’. Not that the old mongrel is slowing down, in
2011 he released and toured his compilation ‘Fight Songs’ and then in 2012 he
celebrated Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday by releasing the brilliant
3disc boxset ‘Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions’.
‘Tooth and Nail’ doesn’t boast the smut and wit of Woody
Guthrie, however. In 2012, Bragg’s mother passed away and the tone here is one
of grief, reflection and anger.
Opening the album and setting the tone perfectly is ‘January
Song’. Lyrically, it’s business as usual for Bragg as he attacks the coalition
for selling peoples freedom down the river. Musically though, you have never
heard Bragg like this before. His instincts tell him to stand up and fight the
wrongs he sees in society but the grief that consumes him is really weighing
him down:
“My journey has been so hard lately / Been
having to get out and push / Left me standing on the sidewalk / Talking to a
burning bush.”
‘I Ain’t Got No Home’ is a Guthrie cover which tells the tale of a
farmer who’s heritage is crumbling as governments are leant on by the money men
to ensure their projects are pushed through the red tape unscathed. The
sullenness of this tune is genius. Whilst Bobby Gillespie is leading the fight
against the political classes, Bragg offers up a downbeat affair for anyone who
needs comforting. For those who have had their lives uprooted by the scandalous
bedroom tax, we suggest you stick to Primal Scream and get angry because as
Bragg will only break your heart with this stunning tune.
The writers of TT were deeply affected by ‘I Aint Got No
Home’. We were left questioning if there was any point to what we’re doing?
Surely the greedy will come along and prevent us doing what we love eventually
anyway? Well, after the success of Record Store Day this year (and the previous
6years) we are not giving up on the independent music community just yet and
nor should you. Berwick Street was awash with people and having a good time and
investing money in shops that are run by people who care about their customers.
Not supermarkets who undercut specialists so they can ramp the prices of bleach
and toilet roll to make a profit.
The notion of living another way shines through in the
former single ‘No One Knows Nothing’ Anymore’ when Bragg sings “break it down and start again” and to “stop pretending / We Can Manage our way
out of here.”
Musically, it is a remarkable effort. As he enters his 56th
year, Bragg could be forgiven for not broadening his musical horizons anymore.
Not a bit of it. This is a sumptuous ode to Emmylou Harris in her pomp with
slide guitar parts sent from West Coast gods. ‘Do Unto Others’ also beholds
spreading his wings further as well as he conjures a blues number reminiscent
of Eric Clapton’s unplugged version of ‘Alberta’.
The reviews from the press have been mixed for ‘Tooth &
Nail’ which we feel is unfair. There are a couple of filler tracks on this
helping but, on the whole, this is as passionate and evocative as Bragg has
ever been. Musically he has challenged himself once more, adopting an escapist
West Coast country and Southern blues style to deal with his disaffection of
the coalition and more importantly the heartbreak caused by the departure of
his beloved mum. To produce such quality, in a time which must be so
distressing and to maintain his dignity in the fight for a fair society, should
have fans flocking to buy ‘Tooth and Nail’. Here’s to ya Bill!
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