wowhd.co.uk

In his two and a half decades of carrying the torch of social justice, Billy Bragg has melded the folksy populism of Woody Guthrie with the anger and indignation of the Clash, and both are perfectly encapsulated on his Anti debut Mr. Love and Justice. Despite the intense politics behind his songs, Bragg has never lost sight of the power of personal relationships to hold US together and bring about the kind of redemption that outstrips even the greatest political movements. In songs like opening track "I Keep Faith and You Make Me Brave, Bragg returns to the persuasive mix of personal and political that made instant classics of a New England and Levi Stubbs' Tears. Musically, Mr. Love and Justice combines the loose, Stonesy groove Bragg found working with Wilco on the Mermaid Ave. Sessions, with the best parts of his punk and music hall roots. On Billy Bragg's most mature record to date, the title says it all.