Customer Reviews

Don't Try This at Home

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree totally with the previous reviewer Tank Park Salute is worth the CD. I have heard mre than a 1000 cd's in my life and this song, as well as the Cranberries Dying In The Sun are the only 2 that are guaranteed to water the eyes. Sexuality is a great great song. One of Billy's best. God's Footballer is sad and Beautiful. Every song is either good or great. This is head and shoulders above any of the alternative bands. Bragg is a terrific songwriter ad I feel this is his best album.

This is a brilliant album. Billy Bragg's talent for matching whistful poetry with melody was never greater. Far better produced than his earlier albums and less folksy and accoustic, "Don't try this at home" introduced Bragg to a (well deserved) wider audience. There are still some lovely folksy moments--"Everywhere" is a modern "Johnny, I hardly knew you", and "Tank Park Salute" always makes me cry. You would have had to have spent the past 8 years at the bottom of a cave not to know the self-parodying "Sexuality". Much of the rest of the album is musically upbeat early 90's jingle-jangle, with high points being The Few, North Sea Bubble and Body of Water. Cindy of a Thousand Lives buries some serious subversion (and very personal protest....) in an incredibly cryptic lyric (as you do).

It goes without saying that much Billy Bragg is left-wing political and/or social commentary. If you're conservative, Thatcherite or Reaganite (or for that matter, Howardite or Shipleyite), you will probably find him objectionable. But that's okay, the feeling is probably mutual. Billy Bragg is (IMHO) the greatest protest singer/songwriter working today.

It's a pity that the previous reviewer didn't like this album as much as Worker's Playtime. The criticisms in that review were a bit unfair. "God's Footballer" is a beautiful lilting waltz--if anyone considered him to be no more talented than a well crafted political slogan, this is disproof. Incidentally, Billy is much shyer than you might expect, & prefers not to be called "Mr Sexuality".....(if he's reading this, we're still embarrassed about that and hope he forgives us, he should know what I'm referring to.....)

First of all, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm a Libertarian and probably disagree with 90% OF Bragg's Socialist Big Government solutions to all of the ills in this world. That being said, this album is 100% spectacular. I may argue politics with Billy but would never argue music. This is one of the finest collection of songs in the Folk/Rock genre of the last 50 years. Each song is tunefull in its own way. Even though some of the lyrics are banal (Sexuality comes immediately to mind) the power of the melodies and arrangements lift each selection. Tank Park Salute and Moving The Goalposts are simply beautiful and speak to human relationships that are common to all regardless of politics. North Sea Bubble is a flat out rocker that gives a small salute to Libertarian Thought. At least I'd like to think so. 5 Stars!!! Buy it and enjoy. In a world of tripe like Madonna and Britney, this is an all too rare gem. I can't reccomend it highly enough.

This album/cd is astounding. I have been listening to it for at least five years now and I never tire of it. The more I listen to it, the more I am impressed by the layering not only of the music but of it's lyricism as well. I find this to be a one-of-a-kind find; Bragg himself has said that he aims for something completely different each time he records an album (from E-Town appearance last year); this album is meant to be more rock-oriented than his previous, or succesive, albums. His writing style is very wry, and he succeeded with this collection to blend strict folk-type themes with sounds that are more alternative-rock in style. Johnny Mars (Marr?), formerly of the Smiths, produced and plays on some of the tracks, and his influence gives the same presence to "Cindy of a Thousand Eyes" that he did to "How Soon is Now" with Morrisey. Kristy MacColl shows up on the aforementioned song in the background-very wonderful stuff. Peter Buck and J. Michael Stipe appear on "You Woke Up My Neighborhood," the first song I'd heard from this album that lead to my purchasing it. I had this recording in my possesion for almost a year, listening to it at least once a week. It took at least that year for it to grow on me-maybe even more. And yet, now I cannot go more than a month without listening to it-and many times over when I do. A truly under-appreciated piece of genius in folk-rock.

Am I crazy or is it just me who has recoginized the genius displayed on this disc? Why do I always find this one in the used CD section? Are we all just not intelligent enough or too apathetic about politics? For me, I wonder where does one begin with the praise? Taken alone, each track is its own gem. Strung together, you have a brilliant masterpiece.

Perhaps one way to evaluate a song (and album) is to break it up into music and lyrics. Often you get a great tune but with words that do not leave any kind of impact on the audience. Likewise, the best words won't sink in without clever or emotionally meaningful sounds behind them. "Don't Try This At Home" covers all the bases. It hits all the emotions while remaining true to liberal thought.

Bragg's last album (William Bloke) drew a lot of attention because some claimed that he had "sold out", that the once highly political folk/funk musician grew old and began playing pop. To counter, it was argued that of course people and their art mature; that "William Bloke" was actually very political and even more intelligent than past efforts--that it reflected the maturity its creator had undergone over the past few years.

I'd further that argument by pointing out that "Home" actually reflects a lot of maturity and wisdom, especially when compared with "Back to Basics". Tracks like "North Sea Bubble" advise that not every political situation calls for the same solution (Socialism). "Sexuality" is all about practicing safe sex, no matter what your orientation is. Even the more romantic songs such as "Moving the Goalposts" are subtle yet highly effective. "Mother of the Bride" is just funny and great after suffering a break-up.

In sum, each track is packed with color and depth plus wonderful sound. Furthermore, there is incredible variety in the tracks, again both in lyrics and music.

I was literally blown over and left smiling after I had heard this album in its entirety. Where were the bad songs? I asked myself. I seemed that there weren't any! Folks, this is one of those rare album where filler is nowhere to be seen! Bragg really outdid himself in this, his second full band album, "Don't Try This At Home". The sound this time around is richer, more refined than that of his previous albums, and more commercial-sounding as well. This time Billy's band includes famous guests such as Johnny Marr (of the Smiths) who played guitar, co-wrote and co-produced a number of songs on the album, as well as Peter Buck and Michael Stipe (of REM). As with "Back to Basics", there are far too many individual standouts on his album to mention them all, but here's some: "Moving the Goalposts" and "God's Footballer" are absolutely beautiful. Two classic folk covers "Everywhere" (featuring mandolin by Peter Buck) and "Dolphins" are equally as breathtaking. "North Sea Bubble" sees Billy returning to his punk roots. "Sexuality" packs a powerful pop punch with witty lyrics and a killer tune. "Tank Park Salute", a tribute to Billy's late father is, hands down, Bragg's finest song, and one of the most moving and beautiful songs ever written.

Well there you have it, and there's plenty of variety in these 16 songs. This is undoubtedly Bragg's most accessible set of songs, and is clearly one of the best albums of the early 90's. Plus, the art in the booklet is way cool!

Thanks to a glowing SPIN review back in its release year (1991), I bought this CD and was far from initially impressed or moved. Then it happened. A few songs struck a chord and I read the lyrics (quite necessary considering Billy's heavy British accent and references) as I listened again. And again. I started to feel the same exhilaration provided earlier by songwriters like Dylan, Elvis(C) and John Hiatt. With the backing help of some of the greatest musicians around, Billy Bragg created the CD that I have probably listened to and loved more than any other (I now own every other thing done by him - all worthwhile).

I rate music albums based on the depth and duration of the relationship I have with them. And there are few albums with which I have had a richer relationship than this one. I've heard it a million times in the past 17 years and it is still special today.

It covers a wide range of themes (war, love, loss, religion, sport, politics) and styles (pop, rock, folk, bluegrass) and evokes great imagery and impressions throughout. And Billy's band does a terrific job with the material.

And talk about value - 16 songs and nary a klunker - VERY consistent. Something great for everyone here.

Ten years on and this CD still sounds great. I would like to add to previous comments that "Tank Park Salute" is simply a crushingly moving song. I bought this CD in '91 and that song would bring me to tears at times. It's a beautiful song. I also love "Cindy of a Thousand Lives" because it's so different from any song out there. I was fortunate to see Bragg in concert here in Atlanta on this tour and Michael Stipe came out to sing with him. His CD's translate so well in a live venue. This is my favorite Bragg CD with full production, but I still would say "Talking With The Taxman" is his pinnacle.

It's hard enough to write well. It's even harder to write well when you have a political message. Billy Bragg was never shy about wearing his heart on his sleeve, here he combines his expression of beliefs with a musicality and poetry which anyone who has ever tried to write a 'message song' can only admire.

The songs have stayed fresh and, sadly, seem to become more relevant every day. The story of the two boys, one white and one Japanese American, in 'Everywhere'has echoes in the way that Arab Americans are now being regarded; but, the song's strength comes from the way Billy draws us in, we hurt for both boys - the one in the foxhole and the other in the internment camp.

This album tears me up, makes me think, makes me want to sing along and makes me wish that I could play the guitar. What more can you ask for?