Tooth & Nail
by Billy Bragg
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Blurt Magazine
    Jul 15, 2013
    60
    With a reflective outlook worthy of Bragg’s now venerable stature, this weathered perspective serves him well.
  2. NOW Magazine
    May 2, 2013
    60
    Though Bragg leaves behind punk rock fire for the personal, there are still political--and optimistic--moments, weariness be damned.
  3. Q Magazine
    Mar 11, 2013
    60
    Somewhat laid-back for a record made by an ex-punk, even one in his mid-50s. [Apr 2013, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 15, 2013
    60
    Only much later, in “There Will Be a Reckoning”, does the familiar Bragg anger kick in significantly.... it's outnumbered here by more sensitive songs about things like relationship difficulties and dying.
  6. Uncut
    Mar 11, 2013
    60
    For the most part, there's nothing wrong with the lyrics. "Do Unto Others" is a fine secular hymn, while "January Song" has some smart digs at the Tea Party, but, in both cases, the voice never convinces. [Apr 2013, p.80]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 3 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. come2whereiam
    Jun 1, 2013
    7
    Billy Bragg returns with his 13th album and it some ways it’s a departure from his usual style but fans will instantly see the similarities toBilly Bragg returns with his 13th album and it some ways it’s a departure from his usual style but fans will instantly see the similarities to the work he did with Wilco on the ‘Mermaid Avenue’ records. ‘Tooth & Nail’ is perhaps the album that Bragg has always wanted to make, gone are the very British tales of kitchen sink dramas replaced by Americana stories of love, desolation and the downtrodden. A keen exponent and lover of all things Woody Guthrie, a version of ‘I Ain't Got No Home’ is included here, Bragg wears his influences with pride and with his impressive backing band and Grammy award winning producer Joe Henry at the helm he has crafted an album in the very tradition of old time country/folk/blues. Stripped back and earthy Bragg has added an American tinge to his London drawl something which may irk some but in context of the album kind of fits. Slide guitar is present in most of the twelve tracks as is shuffled drums and a honky tonk pace. ‘There Will Be A Reckoning’ may lack the kick that a younger Bragg would have given it but it proves that even after all this time he is prepared to get political and has not forgotten his ethics. lyrically we get the humble love song ‘Handyman Blues’ but Bragg is not afraid to also tackle larger issues with references to the Higgs Boson in ‘No One Knows Nothing Anymore’ and biblical origins of right and wrong in ‘Do Unto Others’ while ‘Your Name On My Tongue’ recalls ‘Must I Paint You a Picture’ from ‘Workers Playtime’. ‘Tooth & Nail’ is Bragg doing what he does best, it’s a mature record and a natural progression, ‘Back to Basics’ this is not and nor should it be. The major negative point of most reviews seems to be the relocation of his style stateside but to that I say Bragg is a national treasure and we should all allow him the indulgence of crafting an album that is quintessentially Bragg without necessarily being quintessentially British, which is what he has done.… Full Review »