Right from the opening strains' reference to the pro-union anthem "Step by Step", this is serious business. Plainly exploring and unpacking B's own life journey, this trail leads to places which are stirring and gripping in equal measure.
As the album progresses, explorations of philosophy, racism, kids' TV, influencer life and prosperity are set to a samples from artists such as Nina Simone and Tom Waits to 20s gospel.
This album is to be cherished. irishgamergrrl
I dig that there is more here than on the vinyl release, eg. last night in the car I went looking for Padrino's Theme not knowing the sound by name. I knew it was near the end of side A. Today I read on the back of the sleeve, "Dedicated to the memory of Brendan 'Alias' Whitney" and I exclaimed, "Gods this is a good fucking album." I appreciate both iterations though, might feel the sequencing more on the physical. ishthestomach