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Tooth & Nail
by
Tooth & Nail Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The first new studio release in five years for the British singer-songwriter was recorded in California at producer Joe Henry's house.
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Do Unto Others
In the Bible, we are told God gave Moses in the days of old Ten great commandments For his people to hold true. But the greatest commandment of... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Mojo
    Mar 11, 2013
    100
    New stuff for him every bit, from pain to process, and consequently unprecedented in his previous work is the sweet melancholy measure of his voice. His songwriting, too, emerges liberated, lyrics forged, melodies flowing. [Apr 2013, p.86]
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 18, 2013
    80
    Weary then, but, as ever, authentic.
  3. Record Collector
    Jun 4, 2013
    80
    Tooth & Nail is probably the most accurate and all-encompassing illustration of the great man’s worth.
  4. Dusted Magazine
    Mar 13, 2013
    70
    It’s all very soft and comfortable, musically speaking, like an old couch you can’t get out of.
  5. PopMatters
    Mar 21, 2013
    70
    The tone of Tooth and Nail, lyrically and musically, is “mature” and “sophisticated” in a way that stops short of dull and ends up feeling pleasantly familiar, like reuniting with an old friend.
  6. Exclaim
    Mar 15, 2013
    70
    Tooth & Nail is mellow, but not un-edgy.
  7. 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]
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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.… Expand