Album Review: Billy Bragg - “The Million Things That Never Happened”

 

Let's get one thing straight here - Billy Bragg will always be a legend in my eyes. In the desperate times of the '80s where the working class of Britain found themselves flung on the scrapheap due to the march towards super-capitalism under the Tories (the more things change...), he was an alternately angry and compassionate voice, raging against the injustices of society and offering an arm around the shoulder of those who needed it the most.

The Million Things That Never Happened is Billy's first album since Tooth And Nail way back in 2013 and the main thing that strikes me upon first listening is that it's a very American sounding album and, to be completely honest, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. Billy's often made no secret of his love of Woody Guthrie and that's definitely in evidence here as well as a very country and western feel to several tracks. As someone who got into Billy's music through albums like Talking With The Taxman About Poetry and Don't Try This At Home, the prospect of hearing Billy singing in a Hank Williams style midwest drawl is something that takes a bit of getting used to, I won't lie.

Persevere with this album though and it's pretty clear that Billy's social conscience hasn't been affected by his accent's move to the mid-Atlantic as the likes of Should Have Seen It Coming, Freedom Doesn't Come For Free and The Buck Doesn't Stop Here No More see him launching invective at those in power with typical pin missile precision while the mournful title track and the gentle I Will Be Your Shield show off the softer side of his output. Admittedly there's the odd number on here like Lonesome Ocean and I Believe In You which drift into dullness but the Madness-esque closer Ten Mysterious Photos That Can't Be Explained shows that he's still got plenty of fire in his belly and is probably the strongest effort on here.

To be bluntly honest, The Million Things That Never Happened is a bit short of Billy's '80s imperial phase quality-wise but it's still a decent enough effort which I'm sure his long term fans will find plenty within to enjoy. Business as usual then (accent notwithstanding) but that's often better than no business at all.

NITE SONGS RATING: 🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌑🌑🌑 (7/10)

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