Levellers

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Success hasn't spoiled the Levellers: This is the third album by the unkempt English quintet, and its political harangues are even more furious and focused than on earlier efforts. The album starts with a howling siren on "Warning," a critique on the war on drugs, and ends with "Bielaruse," an assessment of affairs in the East. The songs are filled with memorable hooks, invigorating rhythms, and inspired playing (especially the frenzied fiddle work), making the Levellers a lot more vital than other bands exploring a similar mix of Celtic, folk, and rock sounds. --Jim DeRogatis --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Levelling the Land
Average customer rating:

Better than I had expected

Probably the best post-punk alternative folk rock

Infectious, in-your-face celtic rock anthems

my fave levs album

5 stars all the way.

Levelling the Land
The Levellers
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Levellers

Green Blade Rising

Truth & Lies

Zeitgeist

A Weapon Called the Word

ASIN: B000002HAY
Release Date: 1992-05-19

Tracks:

One Way
The Game
The Boatman
Liberty Song
Far From Home
Sell Out
Another Man's Cause
The Road
The Riverflow
Battle Of The Beanfield
Fifteen Years

Amazon.com

Imagine a punk-rock Waterboys doing a better job of balancing their rock and acoustic incarnations, and you'll have a fix on this raggle-taggle, fiddle-driven U.K. quintet --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

Better than I had expected.......2007-02-16

I originally heard one of the songs on Pandora so I ordered the CD and was pleasantly surprised. Great songs, vocals and instrumentation. Nice mix of Irish folk with rock.

Probably the best post-punk alternative folk rock.......2005-04-18

The Levellers are huge in Europe but unfortunately not very known in America. Levelling the Land is an awesome album with great lyrics and a very original music approach. The sound is definitely electric, enriched by folk sounds of the accoustic guitar and the fiddle with an edge on hard rock. Songs like One Way of Life, The Boatman, 15 Years, Liberty Song are proof of it, however I would say this album has no bad track. There is anger, passion, love and hope in their music. I have all albums and most of singles and EPs from The Levellers and all are just great, however if you are new to their sound this is the best CD to start with. This is simply good rock, you won't be dissapointed.

Infectious, in-your-face celtic rock anthems.......2004-06-22

This is the first LEVELLERS cd I've ever purchased (and I'm a YANK to boot!) and I must say I sure enjoy this group. Here in the states you can usually find their music in cut-out bins, at least 75% off original rate.
They sing about topics very English, but the charm in the music is the way the lyrics extend into all peoples struggles with 'Authority' and 'modernisation'. You could say their heart yearns for a more back-to-nature worldview (in a vague way like Jethro Tull circa Heavy Horses) with a punkish grit.
The music itself varies its rock sound with heavy celtic/irish interplay...makes you wanna sing along, drink your mead, and create a "minor" ruckus. HOOZAH!!!

my fave levs album.......2004-01-23

i first listened to this album about 4 years ago and i can simply say its my fave album of all time. Having recently watched them in Norwich (6th Dec 03) I am purchasing another ticket to go and watch them this year. The Levellers are great and so is this album, so GET IT BOUGHT!!

5 stars all the way........2004-01-10

Quick review. This band is SO under-rated. Zeitgeist and Green Blade Rising have my fave songs on it, but this album may well be my fave (though Hello Pig is perhaps their most innovative). In fact, this band is like others like The Lightning Seeds, The Smiths and REM, amongst others, in that they haven't done ANY bad songs that I can recall. Mark Chadwick and Simon Friend are good songwriters, and this band combines the energy of punk rock, with the subtleties of folk PERFECTLY! In fact, the worst song on here in my opinion is Another Man's Cause, and even that's damn good. Yep, these are a great band.

Average customer rating:

Suppose they declared a revolution......
Probably 4.5 stars really, but as I'm a massive fan, it's 5
Thier getting better for each year.
didnt live up
Another essential album from the Levellers

Green Blade Rising
The Levellers
Manufacturer: Eagle Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Truth & Lies
Levelling the Land
Levellers
Zeitgeist
A Weapon Called the Word

ASIN: B000088E61
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Tracks:

Four Winds
Falling From The Tree
Pretty Target
Come On
Pour
Aspects Of Spirit
Wild As Angels
Believers
A Chorus Line
Not What We Wanted
Wake The World

Album Description

The UK alternative rock act's tenth album (including compilations), their first since the 2000 release, 'Hello Pig'. This Eagle Records release adds three bonus tracks, 'Gallahad', 'Come On' (Video) & 'Wild As Angels' (Video). 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Suppose they declared a revolution.............2004-07-08

Suppose they declared a revolution and nobody came? Of all the LEVELLERS albums(except Moulth to Moulth which I have'nt heard) this one is the most revealing, though perhaps unintentional.
Throughout most of the albums lyrics there is an underlying sadness, reflections on "the Cause" being either lost or forgotten.
Take the tracks 'Four Winds'and 'Wake The World' for instance. On 'Four Winds' you hear "The music that now fills the street Falls to the rhythm of marching I find no comfort here Not in this Or any other year". On 'Wake The World' it resounds with "You were right when you were young Could you ever see it all come undone You were brave when you were young Would you ever believe it could all come undone". These are great songs nontheless, it's just that there's a inherent reality check now to the LEV's "take it to the streets" music.
In the track 'Pretty Target' the focus is less the downtrodden commoner/everyman, but perhaps a potential lover who's smitten the songwriter "I won't let you down You're such a pretty target for this world to kick around" and then the reality check line "I smoked the world Drunk dry the sea Was devoted to my mirror which I could never see Then you came along so prettily And in the twist of a year I was living in a dream"
There are countless examples of melancholy disdain throughout GREEN BLADE RISING, but the music still rocks strong. The only track I wish was excluded from this cd is 'Wild As Angels'...I agree with another reviewers assessment, it's a pop tune that does'nt belong here.
The cd title GREEN BLADE RISING is a kinda misnomer.The call-to-arms title with appropiate artwork does not support the behind-the-lines cynicism of their wonderful folk-rock sound. So, with this cd the LEVS have matured somewhat, and that mercurial entity called (amoung other things) Wisdom is slowly bringing "reality" one step closer to the surface....and we all know that a GREEN BLADE RISES best in fertile soil.

Probably 4.5 stars really, but as I'm a massive fan, it's 5.......2004-01-12

Another great album from one of the world's most under-rated bands. There are some absolute gems here; some of the finest songs of the past few years: 'Four Winds,' 'Falling From The Tree,' 'Come On,' 'Pretty Target,' 'A Chorus Line' and 'Wake The World.' It's a shame that DJ's no longer seem to play their music, as people obviously have no taste anymore. Radio would be much better if Levellers featured as much as the over-hyped and over-rated likes of Robbie Williams and Texas, amongst all the manufactured pop drivel and gangster-rap that easily influenced teenie-boppers seem intent on listening to these days.

A couple of the songs, such as 'Not What We Wanted' and 'Wild As Angels' are slightly weaker, but still good enough. 'Wild As Angels,' although a decent number, misses the mark really, trying to be a 'pop' song, but failing to sound as good as the likes of 'Just The One' or 'What A Beautiful Day.' But on the whole this is still brilliant stuff, and much recommended if you like folk mixed with heavy rock.

They even manage to sound like Oasis on 'Pretty Target,' as it's the heaviest and possibly best song here, complete with an excellent guitar solo.

This isn't as good as Levelling The Land, or maybe even Hello Pig (from an innovative perspective), but it's on a par with Levellers, Mouth To Mouth and Zeitgeist, and it's better than A Weapon Called The Word. Well worth getting anyway.

Thier getting better for each year........2003-06-30

I'm a big music fan and this is the best album that it's ever made. Believers, Aspects of spirit, come on, Four winds, Wake the world and Falling from a tree are allready classic Levsongs for me. If this album got some airplay in US the Levellers would become realy BIG.

didnt live up.......2003-06-25

i think the first 4 levellers cds are something great. they have their own unique sound and heart to each one of them. On this cd they try and go back to basics but dont really live up to the old cds. I did get to see them live this year and they were great, mostly because they played old songs. This cd for me didnt land on the mark.

Another essential album from the Levellers.......2003-03-29

I have to admit that I coulnd't wait for the US release, so I had a copy sent from the UK. Okay, so I am a fan, but when I got my copy I really did play it over and over again.
The only problem ... trying to figure out which track I like best!

Average customer rating:

Great songs, but poor mastering kills the enjoyment
11 EXCELLENT TRACKS, POOR SOUND QUALITY
Fails to Disappoint! Still Going Strong, Levellers Deliver!
Levelled again
The Levellers' Truth & Lies Album is Excellent!

Truth & Lies
The Levellers
Manufacturer: Eagle Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Green Blade Rising
Levelling the Land
Levellers
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ASIN: B0009GX21Y
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Tracks:

Last Man Alive
Make U Happy
Confess
For Us All
Knot Around the World
Steel Knife
Wheels
Said and Done
Whos The Daddy
The Damned
Sleeping

Album Description

The Levellers return with their brand new album Truth & Lies, their tenth album overall and their second with Eagle Records. Way back in 1988, the first ever Levellers press release stated: "The Levellers were formed in... oh just listen to the tape." A no-nonsense approach to the music industry has served them well. 17 years on, the band have their own recording studio, their own festival, their own publishing company On The Fiddle Publishing and a worldwide fan base.

The Levellers have always been a voracious touring band, often notching up over 200 shows per year throughout the world. Highlights include their headline appearances at Glastonbury Festival in 1992 and 1994 and a sell-out performance at Buxton Opera House in 2004 that led to an Acoustic tour of theatres in the UK later that year. The band is one of the most consistently successful British acts with an ongoing list of hit singles and albums that remain strong sellers long after their initial release.

Customer Reviews:

Great songs, but poor mastering kills the enjoyment.......2006-03-17

I've been a fan of the Levellers for years. The songs on this album are great, but it seems to be mastered so 'hot' (i.e. no dynamic range) that it is literally constantly distorted (i.e. digital clipping everywhere). Not only that, but it almost sounds like there's some kind of strange effect applied to it throughout (chorus or flanger or something like that). - it gives the impression of listening underwater! It is quite a shame. I really think they should remaster this album and release it again - the sound quality is really that poor, in my opinion.

It's really strange because past albums have been much better for sound quality than this in my opinion. Try listening to this CD, followed immediately by Zeitgest - you'll notice you have to turn up the volume a lot when the latter comes on (because it is mastered much less 'hot'), and it sounds a lot better overall.

11 EXCELLENT TRACKS, POOR SOUND QUALITY.......2005-10-28

THE RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION WAS POORLY DONE, AND RUINS ANY CHANCE OF THIS BEING A GOOD ALBUM. I THINK THAT THE SONGS WERE MIXED AND PRODUCED IN A GARAGE. IT'S A SHAME, BECAUSE THE SONGS ARE VERY GOOD, SPECIALLY, "LAST MAN ALIVE" THIS IS THE BEST ALBUM SINCE "LEVELLING THE LAND"

Fails to Disappoint! Still Going Strong, Levellers Deliver!.......2005-06-26

Sure, they're a bit more mature, and that youthful angst they so beautifully put forth in their beginning albums has faded, but that angst can truly only belong to the young anyway. "Truth and Lies" still has the edginess and the depth of their previous albums.

The funny thing about this band is how well they age. The albums that disappointed me (Levellers, Zeitgeist and Hello Pig) are now played as much as any of the albums I loved immediately.

This one I loved immediately. It's melodic, interesting, and flows quite nicely. The violin hook in the first song is quite catchy and the song "For Us All" sticks in the head hours after you've heard it.

Overall, great album, and if you enjoyed "Green Blade Rising" you will enjoy this one.

Levelled again.......2005-06-24

For the unacquainted, the Levs are ace. They are a folkish punkish indie band that had very deserved top 10 singles and albums in the UK in the 1990's. Their sound is distinctive..think Clash with an electric fiddle, yet also diverse. How many English folk bands have a didgeree do player accompany them on some of their works, or can get away with a Kazoo without sounding too silly? They rap, they scream, and produce melodic folksy ballads. They cover The Clash, Grateful dead, and English folk songs as well as being excellent songwriters. They are every bit as political as the Clash, so if you find folksy left wing social commentary unpalatable then I must sadly warn you to stear clear.

It is their live shows that stand out above any of their studio recorded material. They are pretty much the best, most fun, live band ever. If they are playing within 500 miles of your house my advice is go see them.

In my opinion "Truth and Lies" is the fifth best levellers album. Hint: I think that they are all quite good. My order of preference goes: 1. Levelling the land (A must have album for everyone on the planet- Get this album before dabbling further!), 2. Weapon called the word, 3. Mouth to mouth 4 The Levellers,5. Truth and Lies, 6. Hello pig, 7. Green blade rising.
This ranking is purely a reflection of my preference for the, youthful, defiantly hope filled punkish energy of their earlier works. The Levs have hit middle age, and while they are every bit as energetic live as they have ever been, and they hopefully have not morphed into Paul Weller, they have matured. Gone are the days when they were going to change the world. Now they just appear to be hoping for the best. As they provide commentary of these times of corporate control, war, and environmental destruction, and, how we are all interconnected, and implicated in it. These are songs for dark times. The album has but one happy pop song "Make you happy". The best songs are "Steel knife" and " Last man alive". Steel knife is presumably about the British hostage that was killed in Iraq last year after efforts by his family amongst others to distance themselves from Tony Bliars involvement in the occupation. The Apocalyptic "Last man alive" is musically anthemnic, but lyrically desperate. It tries to indicate that the human race can still reverse global environmental destruction with the lyrics " As the ice around you starts to melt don't panic, I'm holding your life belt" but indicates that may be we are already to far down the line "You were never meant to be when you first put out to sea".

With this album the Levellers continue to tell it like it is, and while the subject matter is largely dark I still expect a fun filled performance when I next see them live.

The Levellers' Truth & Lies Album is Excellent!.......2005-06-13

I probably listened to this album over 50 times already. Each song is great and stands on their own. "Make you Happy" is their first single and I can see why. The track is very catchy and it will you have you singing along in no time. The Levellers still have political lyrics in their music, and i'm all for that.

In some songs, the production seems to be overproduced because it just sounds too distorted. Definitely takes a few listens to get used to. Other notable tracks: Last Man Alive, For Us All, Wheels, Said and Done and The Damned. The one album that I think Truth & Lies sounds like is Hello Pig, because it was done by the same producer. I believe this album is ten times better than Hello Pig though. This could be one of my favorite Levs album to date!

Average customer rating:

Celtic rock with a sharp political edge
Music With a Conscience
Passionate, intelligent, and inspiring
this could be better
The Misunderstood Levellers album

Levellers
The Levellers
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Levelling the Land
Zeitgeist
Green Blade Rising
Truth & Lies
A Weapon Called the Word

ASIN: B000002HDQ
Release Date: 1994-02-01

Tracks:

Warning
100 Years Of Solitude
The Likes Of You and I
Is This Art?
Dirty Davey
This Garden
Broken Circles
Julie
The Player
Belaruse

Amazon.com

Success hasn't spoiled the Levellers: This is the third album by the unkempt English quintet, and its political harangues are even more furious and focused than on earlier efforts. The album starts with a howling siren on "Warning," a critique on the war on drugs, and ends with "Bielaruse," an assessment of affairs in the East. The songs are filled with memorable hooks, invigorating rhythms, and inspired playing (especially the frenzied fiddle work), making the Levellers a lot more vital than other bands exploring a similar mix of Celtic, folk, and rock sounds. --Jim DeRogatis

Customer Reviews:

Celtic rock with a sharp political edge.......2004-06-25

What can I say? The LEVELLERS are fun to listen to.The music has a rag-tag rollicking list, especially when the traditional irish insturments and sing-along anthems kick in. I think the track 'This Garden' is the standout for me. I love the refrain "blood,sweat and tears.. really don't matter, it's the things that you do.. in this Garden".
The unique lyrical symbolism is what elevates THE LEVELLERS over other celtic rock bands. They mix aggressive political sentiment with a pagan, back-to-nature woldview. The music flat out feels good!HOOZAH!!!

Music With a Conscience.......2003-12-16

Formed in Brighton in 1988, the band took their name from a radical grouping involved in the English Civil War. The original Levellers advocated republican politics and the freedom of worship. The band's music would be best described as a mixture of folk, rock and punk, with their lyrics displaying a keen social conscience. Probably as a result of this, they're commonly seen as the leading lights in the crustie movement - and have been (wrongly) dismissed by many solely on the basis of this image.

Recorded in 1993, mostly at the Real World studio, this is the band's third album. Only one of the songs on the album - "Dirty Davey" - wasn't written by the band themselves. It was originally written and performed by another Brighton band called "McDermott's Two Hours". Two of my favourite tracks on the album - "This Garden" and "Julie" - were released as singles. "Julie" leans towards the folk side of things, largely acoustic and featuring the pipes and fiddle. "This Garden" again features the acoustic guitar and fiddle, but the didgeridoo and 'spoken' lyrics add a touch of urgency. The single was a top 20 hit in the UK and throughout Europe.

The album gets off to a great start, as the opening four tracks are excellent tunes. "Warning" and "100 Years of Solitude" are up-tempo tunes, with thumping bass-lines, punchy guitar playing and a violin that virtually growls at times. "The Likes of You and I" and "Is This Art" are a little more acoustic and laid back - like "Julie", they show the band's folky influences coming to the fore.

Overall, an excellent album without any filler whatsoever - it starts with at a high level with "Warning" and the band manage to maintain this level throughout.

Passionate, intelligent, and inspiring.......1999-11-13

My roommate turned me on to the Levellers, and I'm really glad he did because this CD is awesome. This is a great mix of Celtic folk and English Punk. Perhaps its old news to the guy from York, but for an American maybe not as familiar with the scene, its really powerful stuff. Beyond the stylistic mix, the songs really grip you emotionally. I find myself playing this CD frequently - there's not a bad song on the album and a few really great ones. Take a listen to track #4, Is This Art - my favorite of the bunch.

I normally listen to hard rock - either Rush/Zeppelin, etc or modern bands like Bush and Foo Fighters. However, I try to listen to all styles of music if its good, and this is very definitely good.

I hope these guys release more albums. I noticed their last release was in 1996.

this could be better.......1999-10-18