Customer Reviews

Home of the Brave

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Black 47 is probably one of the most entertaining bands to come out the 1990s. I place them firmly in the category of punk (despite some heavy ska and rap influences) just based upon the political nature of their music, which is reminiscent of the Clash at their best.

Less political than Green Suede Shoes, Home of the Brave focuses more upon everyday people and their lives. Several of the songs (Black Rose, Blood Wedding, Danny Boy) are actually stories put to music. Listening to the music, you get the feel of New York and the places in the songs (42nd Street, C&9th, Woodside, Queens), to the point where you can picture the dreary streets, swept with rain, and filled with seedy characters.

Of the political songs, the two best are Paul Robeson (Born to Be Free) and Big Fella. Paul Robeson is pure punk, dealing with musician Paul Robeson (naturally enough) who was black listed in the McCarthy hearings. With "The great are only great because we're down on our knees/so rise up my brothers and sisters/we were born to be free" as a chorus, you know you've found punk rock. Big Fella is a different matter entirely, dealing with IRA founder Michael Collins. The first song on the album, Big Fella let's you know just where the band's loyalty lies: with Ireland. As with their songs set in NYC, this manages to conjure images of Ireland early in this century as nationalists clashed with the British army and the Black&Tans. Equally political is Time to Go, a rap where the band attacks their critics (which are many). Although I dislike rap, this is an excellent song, with bitter lines like "anytime someone upsets the status quo/they're stabbed in the back by the liberal whores" and "Pat and Mike joke on the BBC/ Let's face it, you're racist, all you're missing are the white sheets".

Black 47 is one of the best bands to come out of this decade of one hit wonders, and radio overplay. If nothing else, the album is worth the money just for the front cover, showing the Statue! of Liberty with an upraised fist breaking out of shackles.

This is one of the greatest art albums I've ever heard. The only real problem is that to really appreciate this album you need to sit down and read the lyrics as the cd plays. Only then did full appreciation occur as I laughed along and wept along.

POWERFULPOWERFULPOWERFUL

An excellent album from an excellent band. This is the first Black 47 album I bought and it made me a fan. Mixing a wide variety of styles, from Celtic to Hip-Hop, Black 47 combines a dazzling potpourri of sound with a thoughtful angry punk mentality. The lyrics are also excellent, telling tales both of average people and historical figures. All the tracks are good, standouts are "Big Fella" "Paul Robeson" and "Who Killed Bobby Fuller". One cannot help being moved by the heartfelt Lyrics.

Not being a punk or rap fan usually, I came to this band reluctantly, lured by the Irish connection and the first number, Big Fella. However, I found myself fascinated by the passion and intelligence of all the offerings. This is not just superficial noise--these songs are articulate, stirring (see Big Fella), very funny (Different Drummer) and perceptive. This is an excellent CD and could make a convert of you as it did of me.

Starting off with the hard edged history of Michael Collins ("Big Fella") Black 47's sets off on its well established mix of history set to rock rhythms, current political and social issues and the trials and tribulations of love and lust in NYC and the surrounding environs. With songs like "Paul Robeson," the strong stand against homophobia on "Danny Boy," and the get out of Ireland rap on "Time to Go" you see that once again the band is not afraid to wear its politics on its sleeve with an intelligent and emotional approach. This is balanced with wonderful stories about ill fated love affairs like "Black Rose" "Road to Ruin" that show a true understanding of the human condition and the ups and downs of just living and loving.
Produced by Jerry Harrison, HOME OF THE BRAVE has a bit of a different sound quality than their other recordings. The sound is much cleaner, but almost to the point of being antiseptic and lacking in the vibrancy that can be heard on their other records. But this loss of immediacy is made up for with the quality of the songs which stand with the band's best.

This is one of my favorite CD's and I play it over and over. I like the Black Rose song and I also like track # 3. What is it called "Losing It" I think. It also has "It's time to go" which was sung by the old band member, Chris Byrne. This CD is a very good choice. Black Monday is great also.

It's anecdotal and musical.This band puts so much heart in these songs.This CD is terrific!