Also available in a
Limited Edition (CD +
DVD) version.
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Track Listings
| 1. Who You Fighting For |
| 2. After Tonight |
| 3. Bling Bling |
| 4. Plenty More |
| 5. War Poem |
| 6. Sins Of The Fathers |
| 7. Good Situation |
| 8. Gotta Tell Someone |
| 9. Reasons |
| 10. One Woman Man |
| 11. I'll Be On My Way |
| 12. Kiss And Say Goodbye |
| 13. Things You Say You Love |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
At some indeterminate point in their now 25 year long history and with serenely inconspicuous efficiency, Birmingham's UB40 rose to a level of peerlessness as the first-family of British reggae. While they've absolutely nothing left to prove - save to those bored by their longevity - Who You Fighting For finds UB40 shouting more loudly than usual; the likelihood being - even at this autumnal stage of the band's career - that less partisan ears may be pricked by such refreshing spices as the Bhangra chorus of "Reasons" or even by more traditional summer reggae sweeteners as "Gotta Tell Someone" or the dark, philanderer-reformed ruminations of "One Woman Man". But the real reason why UB40 are raising their voices is Iraq, possibly the most upset they've been about anything since Maggie's iron grip on the keys of Number 10. While having the brass to call one tune "War Poem" - not the wisest thing to do if one wants to avoid the elicitation of disparaging comparisons with Wilfred Owen - doesn't bode well, UB40 reach for the shrewd invective on "Sins Of A Father", a well-written censure of Christian neo-Conservatism and oil lust. Sensibly, the lean skin-and-bone production and avoidance of MOR blandishments make UB40 seem meaner - and younger - than they have done in years. --Kevin Maidment
Review
If it comes as some surprise that UB40 are celebrating a quarter-century of success since their first hit, it seems even more remarkable that this is their 23rd album. It's a rare act that can combine such longevity with such a high level of consistency.
That consistency is again the defining characteristic of their new album. For UB40, not much has changed in the years since they first made their debut Signing Off: they still purvey an orthodox reggae style, unfazed by all subsequent developments, as though we were still in the late-70s era of British bands like Steel Pulse and Matumbi (the latter's "After Tonight" is one of the five covers here).
But the sheer freshness and vitality of the music after all this time can't be denied. Still boasting the same eight-piece line-up that they started with, this is a band which sounds above all else comfortable and at ease with itself. There is a sense of such effortlessness about songs like "Sins of the Fathers" and "One Woman Man" that it's hard to believe that they're newly minted - like all great pop songs, they feel on first hearing as though they've been around for years. The group's gift for instant and accessible melodies is undiminished.
Lyrically too there's a toughness here that harks back to the early days: three of the first five tracks the title song, "Plenty More" and "War Poem" are political without being polemical, clearly inspired by the state of the world, but approached from a personal, human viewpoint. By way of balance, we end with a brace of lovely covers: a version of the Manhattan's soft soul classic "Kiss and Say Goodbye" that will surely become their 50th hit single, and the Jamaicans' "The Things You Say You Love".
Ali Campbell's sensitive, sometimes fragile voice remains the focal point of the band, but tribute should also be paid to the horn arrangements of saxophonist Brian Travers, which are a source of great joy throughout. They epitomise the simple but impeccable standards of the band. Contender for the summer album of 2005. --Alwyn Turner
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For the last 25 years UB40 have given us reggae music that has made us dance and sit up and take notice of what has been going on in the world around us. I've spent the weekend listening to this album and for once there isn't a song on this album that I've umed and ahhed about. Every track on this album you can dance to. Every song tells a story of what is going on around us. The lyrics on the album are very politically charged, which is great beacuse the band seem to have truely returned to their roots and what brought them to the publics attention. Ali's voice sounds more mature and soulfull. The horn section sets the whole album alight in every tune and this gives the whole album an "old time Reggae feel". If you don't dance to tunes like 'Reasons', 'Who you fighting for?'and Sins of the father' then you truely have no rythum and you have no soul. This is an album that fans of the band will love and appreciate, it's full of up tempo reggae tunes that will brighten up your summer and put a smile on your face. The band have matured like a fine wine and as time goes on they get better and better.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having loved UB40 since I first bought "Signing Off" in 1980, I have purchased all of their albums. They remain my favourite band still. My fave albums were always "Signing Off", "Present Arms" & UB44. Notice all older material. Although I like all their other albums they all seemed to lack that warmth and freshness of those early days, perhaps becoming too overproduced & electronic. But I am glad to say - THIS RANKS WITH MY EARLY FAVES. What a stunning return to form. Everyone song & performance a winner. They are at the best I have heard in decades. Buy with confidence & enjoy. p.s It is well worth getting the special with the added DVD as it is worth the price of the CD alone.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ali and the band have done it again..!! They never cease to amaze me and I really think this sounds so true to their sound. The album flows nicely and the DVD is a real nice touch. If you`re into UB40 then you wont be dissappointed. Just Buy It and enjoy..!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Political but correct..
I love this album!! Been listening to it for a few years now and still haven't tired of it. It is very much on the political side but then UB40 are known for raising issues of the... Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2008 by B. D. Mitchell
LOVE... LOVE the new album!
I am a longtime UB40 fan and absolutely LOVE the new album! The sounds are soulful and inspiring.... My favs on the album are "Who You Fighting For? Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2006 by Jodie
REASONS TO CHECK THIS OUT:-
IReasons you should hear this 1: they're the band that bring you fun.
Reasons you should hear this 2: they'll make you bright, if you're feeling blue... Read more
Reasons you should hear this 2: they'll make you bright, if you're feeling blue... Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2006 by "pontiacfirebird1"
Groovin'
If this album doesn't get you singing along and your feet tapping, you aint got no soul! So many potential hits on this, its hard to dislike any of the tracks. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2006
WhoYou Fighting For
There Back !!!
I have been a fan for many years.
Brilliant can't stop listening to it.
Can't wait to see them in December
I have been a fan for many years.
Brilliant can't stop listening to it.
Can't wait to see them in December
Published on 23 Aug 2005 by Mrs S J Smith
Excellent
An absolutely brilliant album. At last, UB40 seem to have returned to their roots and wrote some great thought provoking, political songs, whilst throwing in some beautiful love... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2005 by "juliespliff2"
Back on top form !!
Have been a fan since the beginning. The last couple of albums left me wondering if they have passed their sell-by-date. My faith has now been restored! Read more
Published on 14 July 2005 by KC
Great Songs, Great Album
I received this cd one week ago. I took it, I observed the box, I opened the cd tray of my sound system, play and... it is brilliant!! Read more
Published on 11 July 2005 by "luislaz"
What a cracker
What a cracking album, it's good to hear their new songs but even better to hear they haven't lost the feel of the old music, once you've listened to this album you won't take off... Read more
Published on 4 July 2005 by Mrs Susan Rooney
Pleasant surprise, worth a pop if your an old fan
I used to be a fan in the mid-late 80's so when I saw this I thought I'd give it a go. Very pleasantly surprised, some catchy tunes that even after a couple of plays your mumbling... Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2005 by Duncan Peebles
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