Workers Playtime

Billy Bragg

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: September 20, 1988
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002H6L
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,737 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave & Post-Punk > Urban Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Even as a very young man, Billy Bragg tempered his socialist politics with songs about affairs of the heart, a combination that's served him well. But no matter how lovey-dovey he may croon, Bragg can't help but rail at oppression in its many manifestations. On Worker's Playtime, producer Joe Boyd (Fairport Convention, Nick Drake) frames Bragg's ragged voice with sympathetic folk-rock arrangements. But the real strength of this 1988 collection lies in Bragg's songwriting. The album may boast the pedantic "Capitalism Is Killing Music," but Bragg's sense of humor is in evidence throughout. "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards" mixes Mao with Mott the Hoople, while the heart-stopping sincerity of "The Short Answer" suffers not a whit for bringing up Karl Marx. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of those albums everyone should own, May 30, 2000

By	James G. Mundie (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is simply one of Billy Bragg's best albums -- one that I can hardly keep myself from listening to again and again, and each time I do I hear something I missed before or a lyric will have a new level of meaning for me. This is also one of Billy's smoothest albums: the arrangements are lush and richer than his usual "scratchy voice and a jangly guitar" thing (a perfect counterpoint to the also brilliant "Back to Basics"), and the tunes are catchy beyond belief. You'll feel at times like a hopeless romantic as you listen to these lovelorn tales of woe and survival, but you'll enjoy every blessed moment. 'Life with the Lions' and 'The Short Answer' will soothe the wounds that remain from every past relationship gone awry; 'Waiting for the Great Leap Forward' will make you want to go out and start a ruckus in spite of your better intentions. In its complexity and scope, this album reveals Bragg to be an absolutely brilliant poet and composer. This album is as vital to any collection as the Clash's "London Calling" and the Beastie Boys' "Paul's Boutique".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When Billy Was Great., June 29, 2005

By	Bernard Chapin "Ora Et Labora!" (CHICAGO! USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

What to say about Workers Playtime? Listening to it is like going back to college and reliving your youth. I'm sure Mr. Bragg feels the same way about it. It's only 11 songs long but it's impossible to think that the music could be much better.

On this album, the master of urban folk created melodies concerning politics and love that are as outstanding as anything found in his oeuvre. "Waiting For The Great Leap Forward" needs little explanation but the tune includes lyrical nuggets like "the revolution is just a t-shirt away." Honestly, there's not a bad song on the CD even though I didn't like the a cappella, "Tender Comrade," at first. Now it goes down like Chimay Ale.

Even though I bought my copy about 15 years ago, I still sing along to the tracks when they play. Workers Playtime is an inspired mix of rock, folk, and late eighties pop. What a combination. It begins with the earnest joy of "She's got a New Spell," which is the perfect tune with which to introduce friends to Billy Bragg. Its lyrics are original and you cannot sit still while listening to it. "Must I Paint You a Picture" and "The Price I Pay" are both intense and passionate. They also showcase his complexity as a lyricist. Personally, I spent years laughing about the line, "I hate the a--hole I become when I'm with you," in "Life with the Lions." The sentiment is quite accurate about many a relationship.

As for the album's zenieth, I would have to say that "The Only One" is right up there with "St. Swithins Day," as Billy's most beautiful love song ever. It'll haunt you for life; just like the rest of this release.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Billy Bragg's Plastic Ono Band... Read On!, July 8, 2000

By	Rahshad Black (Moreno Valley, CA) - See all my reviews

Folk-Punk Socicalist Billy Bragg's fourth album finds him in a contemplative mood. Dispite the politically charged cover and "Capitalism is Killing Music" logo, this is his more lovelorn and sad album. Starkly produced and powerful, this album waxes and wains with piano flourishes, jangly guitars and understated vocal harmonies. Songs like "She's Got a New Spell", "Little Time Bomb", "The Short Answer" and "The Price I Pay" display the lyrical theme of rocky relationships and the simple but melodic musical approach. "Rotting on Remand" adds steel guitar to one of his three political songs, along with the moving a cappella "Tender Comrade", and climactic and booming "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards". The other notable break from the folky silence of the album is the peppy country beat of "Life With the Lions", with repetition of the lyric "I hate the arsehole I become", which runs contrary to the smile you might develop from the music. Great album, but how can I compare it to John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band? How not? Billy Bragg gives a stirring, uncluttered, introspective epic, which gives the listener a window into the soul of the artist. And that, of course, is the true goal of the singer-songwriter.