- Vinyl (11 Aug 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: On the Fiddle
- ASIN: B0019LRAL6
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 507,544 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
English folk-punk stalwarts the Levellers have come in for their fair share of stick over the last 15 years, with many continuously asserting they wouldn't fancy touching them with a particularly lengthy one. Much of the derision may stem from ugly social bigotry centred on the fact that they look allergic to the idea of a good sponging, but the bulk is of their own making--firstly for scrubbing up to chase radio playlists and sell-out arena tours in a misguided advance on Britpop's commercial bounty (see Zeitgeist and Mouth to Mouth), and secondly by becoming so anaemically middle of the road that fresh road-kill looked more revolutionary (Hello Pig). But with Letters from the Underground they've pulled off the ageing band's prerogative of dropping the artifice in favour of getting back to what they're good at. And they've done it with some real aplomb. It's essentially involved them throwing their classic Levelling the Land breakthrough at a wall, sticking the pieces back together and re-firing over current political blazes. So the fiddle frazzled high-kicking of "Cholera Well" and self-explanatory "Burn, America, Burn" wreak lyrical wrath on post-9/11 aggression, "Pale Rider" taking a post-7/7 UK perspective, while the didgeridoo underpinned (yes, indeed, that icon of crustiness returns too) "Before the End" is more personal, more tender, though no less fraught. They've regained their bite, like imparting these opinions and observations is a calling they have no choice but to answer. And it turns out that's better for us all than you might have thought. --James Berry
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having been a Levellers fan for a number of years and not being too enamoured by their last few albums I was in two minds whether to purchase this album or not.Wow am I glad I did this is the Levellers back to their stomping best,in my opinion the best Levs album since Levelling The Land.
The album contains a host of tracks that surely will become live set regulars.The albums a must buy it now with no hesitation.
The album contains a host of tracks that surely will become live set regulars.The albums a must buy it now with no hesitation.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's not very often i'll take to an album the first time i listen to it.In fact it's fair to say that i have only ever thought of 2 or 3 albums as classics on first listen.
Letters From the Underground has now been added to the list of the 2 or 3 albums.
I was expecting a good album after hearing the initial free downloads that the band released in the last couple of months(Burn America Burn,Life Less Ordinary and Cholera Well) but i have to say it's surpassed my expectations in a big way.Death Loves Youth for example made the hairs on my arm stand up when i heard it.
The 2 disc edition comes with 3 other songs and the Burn America Burn video.Of the 3 songs on the 2nd disc TV Suicides is amazing.Do yourself a favour and buy the 2 disc edition to hear this.It kinda reminds me of some of their older B Sides like Miles Away but in my opinion it should have been straight on to the album proper.
If you're a Levellers fan you'll love it.
Buy it...you'll be doing yourself a favour.
Letters From the Underground has now been added to the list of the 2 or 3 albums.
I was expecting a good album after hearing the initial free downloads that the band released in the last couple of months(Burn America Burn,Life Less Ordinary and Cholera Well) but i have to say it's surpassed my expectations in a big way.Death Loves Youth for example made the hairs on my arm stand up when i heard it.
The 2 disc edition comes with 3 other songs and the Burn America Burn video.Of the 3 songs on the 2nd disc TV Suicides is amazing.Do yourself a favour and buy the 2 disc edition to hear this.It kinda reminds me of some of their older B Sides like Miles Away but in my opinion it should have been straight on to the album proper.
If you're a Levellers fan you'll love it.
Buy it...you'll be doing yourself a favour.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
One of the other reviewers suggested people should catch the Levellers live...
As it happens, that's just what I've just done. I spent this last weekend (15th - 18th August 2008) at Levellers very own BEAUTIFUL DAYS festival at Escot Park in Devon... I've seen the Levs many times over the years and remain a firm fan despite not having THOROUGHLY enjoyed an album since "Zeitgeist". This isn't a fezzy review though... all I'll say is it was muddy but brilliant, though Levellers themselves were oddly lacklustre considering the festival is their baby...
Which leads me on to this new album...
Let me say first, to anyone who doesn't really know much about the band... stop reading now and go and buy their first 4 albums... then buy the others and, finally, buy this... it'll put what I have to say into context.
As a fan it's hard to be objective, but I think the last few albums have been mediocre or worse... so I was expecting "Letters From The Underground" to be equally poor. Boy am I surprised!!!
The thing I loved about the early Levellers material was the rawness and energy to it. This was something I felt they lost once they made a few quid and got to fool around in much more high-tech studios. Also, I guess that as we get older the flame dampens and priorities change a bit... and it becomes hard to sustain the sense of social and moral outrage that fuels us when we are young. I believe that's what happened to the Levs.
I don't think they ever stopped caring though, and "Letters..." is proof of that. I don't think any of the songs on this album are as strong or memorable as the angry anthems of the late 80s/early 90s. Nevertheless, I am almost weeping with relief that my undoubted favourite band have finally fulfilled the promise of a return to form that they hinted at but never quite achieved on "Green Blade Rising" or "Truth & Lies".
This new album is brimming with the attitude and anger of old. The aggression and energy is restored, both in the playing, the lyrics and the singing. The band are as tight and coherent as ever. I'm amazed and delighted. I didn't think I'd be able to recommend the album and I am overwhelmed that I'm able to say, to new and old fans alike, you MUST spend your pennies on "Letters From The Underground"...
Stand-out track for me? BEHOLD A PALE RIDER..
As it happens, that's just what I've just done. I spent this last weekend (15th - 18th August 2008) at Levellers very own BEAUTIFUL DAYS festival at Escot Park in Devon... I've seen the Levs many times over the years and remain a firm fan despite not having THOROUGHLY enjoyed an album since "Zeitgeist". This isn't a fezzy review though... all I'll say is it was muddy but brilliant, though Levellers themselves were oddly lacklustre considering the festival is their baby...
Which leads me on to this new album...
Let me say first, to anyone who doesn't really know much about the band... stop reading now and go and buy their first 4 albums... then buy the others and, finally, buy this... it'll put what I have to say into context.
As a fan it's hard to be objective, but I think the last few albums have been mediocre or worse... so I was expecting "Letters From The Underground" to be equally poor. Boy am I surprised!!!
The thing I loved about the early Levellers material was the rawness and energy to it. This was something I felt they lost once they made a few quid and got to fool around in much more high-tech studios. Also, I guess that as we get older the flame dampens and priorities change a bit... and it becomes hard to sustain the sense of social and moral outrage that fuels us when we are young. I believe that's what happened to the Levs.
I don't think they ever stopped caring though, and "Letters..." is proof of that. I don't think any of the songs on this album are as strong or memorable as the angry anthems of the late 80s/early 90s. Nevertheless, I am almost weeping with relief that my undoubted favourite band have finally fulfilled the promise of a return to form that they hinted at but never quite achieved on "Green Blade Rising" or "Truth & Lies".
This new album is brimming with the attitude and anger of old. The aggression and energy is restored, both in the playing, the lyrics and the singing. The band are as tight and coherent as ever. I'm amazed and delighted. I didn't think I'd be able to recommend the album and I am overwhelmed that I'm able to say, to new and old fans alike, you MUST spend your pennies on "Letters From The Underground"...
Stand-out track for me? BEHOLD A PALE RIDER..
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the electric fiddle still sounds the call to action
The Levellers were one of my favorite bands of the mid-Nineties, sort of a cross between the Clash and the Oysterband with a connection to the anti-roads movement of Britain at the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by R. Hutchinson
Overrated on Amazon
I think that most people who write reviews on Amazon either usually love an item or despise it. Others in the middle usually can't be bothered to critique an unremarkable work,... Read more
Published on 21 April 2009 by Moondog
Levellers strike gold again
Some wonderful tracks particularly "The Cholera Well", "A Life Less Ordinary", and "Burn America Burn". Once again well produced,faultlessly played and energy laden. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2009 by Philippa M. Bradley
Levellers levelling the land AGAIN!!!!
Finally. After many years of ordinary Folk Rock. Levellers have remembered where they eminate from. They have developed and recorded an album, that can truely take its place next... Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2009 by Andrew Mandefield
AWESOME
Absolutely fantastic Album,my favourite so far,My fave songs are "Before the end" and "Burn America Burn" but the rest are all fantastic too, but don't take my word for It... Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2009 by A. Goodyer
Perfect
A fantastic album with no week songs. The Levellers have at last brought their raw energy and passion together with their ability to tug at the heart and nail a good melody. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2008 by H. Ackland
A must
Well what can you say. Since buying this CD its rarely been off my CD player in the house or the car and that's not mentioning the mp3 player!! Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2008 by A. P. Harrison
Beautiful Days Returning???
One of the other reviewers suggested people should catch the Levellers live...
As it happens, that's just what I've just done. Read more
As it happens, that's just what I've just done. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2008 by Mr. T. M. Ray
what the levellers do best
I first saw the Levellers in 1989 playing support to Radical Dance Faction; they were seriously good back then. I followed them over the years, seeing them live many, many times. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2008 by thehunger
A return to form....
I've been listening to the Levellers for many years, since I saw them supporting New Model Army on tour back in 1990. Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2008 by S. P. Long
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