Singles + EPs

Single Review: The Levellers

[Single: Burn America Burn]
[Label: On the Fiddle]

This year sees folk punk rockers The Levellers celebrating their 20th anniversary since forming back in Brighton in 1988. This year also sees the band release their ninth studio album ‘Letters From The Underground’. To help promote said album the band recently released a free single, pleasantly titled ‘Burn America Burn’.

The track begins with the sound of violins, courtesy of Jon Sevink. There’s a fairly monotonous and simple drum beat, on which lead singer Mark Chadwick spews his political thoughts and feelings. His voice is nothing to write home about and the lyrical content even less so. The track drones on and sounds a bit of a mess to be honest, hardly surprising with the band’s seven members all fighting to have their spot in the limelight. Towards the end of the track all the elements are thrown together and it’s difficult to make out what’s going on; unfortunately the end of the song can’t come quick enough. The production sounds a bit ropey, something which is particularly important when you have several different musical inputs within a song, and it just hammers another nail in the coffin.

I can only judge The Levellers on this one single having not heard any of their material before. Although I am not keen on this at all, they must be applauded for reaching the 20th year in their career and must surely have produced some quality over that period to have made it where they are today. Unfortunately, I feel that ‘Burn America Burn’ just doesn’t live up to today’s standard of music and I don’t really see where it fits in. The political angle they use in the song sounds dated and almost a desperate attempt to remain “cool” and “fresh” within today’s society. The problem is that I don’t think many music fans will relate to their political ideas, and with the music not standing up, I’m afraid this single is little more than a sing-along pub rock track.

For fans of: Gogol Bordello, Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues
Band link = The Levellers

Bookmark to:

Previous & Next