On his 2013 release Tooth and Nail, British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg continues to showcase his impeccable songwriting skills, crafting high-quality personal and political anthems in a range of styles from folk to Americana, roots rock and country. His first full length release in five years, Tooth and Nail features a bevy of highly personal tracks interspersed with Bragg’s trademark politically themed songsmithing. While Bragg is better known in his native England, a fruitful collaboration with Wilco and Natalie Merchant on the Mermaid Avenue albums brought Bragg a wider fan base in the US. The original 1998 Mermaid Avenue LP (and the later release of Volumes II and III) featured songs that were written around unused Woodie Guthrie lyrics provided by the folk legend’s daughter Nora. Guthrie’s consistent espousal of working mans rights and criticism of the government made Bragg, who has a long history of political activism both through song and in his personal life, a perfect fit.
Recorded in California with producer Joe Henry, Tooth and Nail feels much more polished than his previous recordings. With vocals recorded live and a stellar set of musicians to back him, Bragg sounds incredibly confident here, controlling his croon with Paul McCartney-eque precision and delivering lyrics with the passion and intimacy of John Lennon. Whether singing about dire world affairs or difficulties in his personal relationships, hopefulness wins out in the end, and many of the tracks play as modern-day anthems that encourage listeners to fight on in the face of hard times.
Among the more personal offers here, its hard not to be moved by ‘Handyman Blues’, a winsome number that finds Billy admitting he lacks the ability to change a fuse but hoping that his creative juices make up for it. Amidst crisp slide guitar and tinkling piano runs, Bragg supplies a slew of clever and touching lyrics, proclaiming “Don’t be expecting me to put up shelves or build a garden shed/ But I can write a song that tells the world how much I love you instead.” Soon after, ‘Swallow my Pride’ hits a more mournful tone after a spat puts the singer on the outs with his wife. Backed by lilting country-styled guitar, Bragg asks himself “How can a man be strong?/ If he can’t even lift a telephone and say he’s wrong?”
Between these and the more political tracks, Tooth and Nail plays easy on the ears and stirs the heart time after time. It’s a high watermark for Bragg.
