Mr. Love & Justice
Anti- Records
Four stars

Sure, the trademark edge, howl-at-the-moon vocals and take-the-power-back lyrics feel watered down on Mr. Love & Justice, Billy Bragg’s ninth proper studio album, but his voice sounds better than ever and his arrangements are solid enough to sit next to a Joe Henry production. The world is messy and hopeless right now, and here Bragg chooses to be our strong friend, rather than our bloody-fisted leader. It’s a welcome change that won’t make sense to everyone, but one that feels as humane — not to mention as mature — as ever. Spotty, but probably only because Bragg tries too hard at times when he should be depending on his famously steadfast instincts.

Sounds like:
recent Robyn Hitchcock, Joe Henry, recent Wilco