Search - Levellers :: Hello Pig

Not the same band...

Mr. Tobias J. Q. Smith | London | 09/24/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This album is very disappointing. I am a die-hard Levellers fan. I grew up listening to 'A Weapon Called The Word', 'Levelling the Land', and 'Levellers'. They are all great albums, combining aggressive tunes with hard hitting lyrics. The live album, and 'Zeitgeist', only served to back that they could seriously rock. However, in my opinion, they have changed beyond recognition. Love songs have slowly replaced protest songs, pianos and FX have replaced haunting violin melodies and non-stop energy from the rhythm section. The simplicity that was so beautiful has gone from their sound. The repackaging of the band is really quite impressive, considering how thouroughly they have re-invented themselves. Some might say that they have sold out, by becoming a great deal more main-stream. I would agree, and I know many other fans who do also. We have all found the last couple of albums disappointing, as they have lost the edge that made them so interesting before. Some people may well love this album, but play them the first albums, and they will not recognise that they are by the same people. The voices are covered by FX, and the song content is not so obviously politically driven. All the tracks also lack an energy. The opening song 'Happy Birthday, Revolution' is a very lethargic opening compared to their other opening songs, such as 'World Freak Show', 'One Way', and 'Hope St.', which really grabbed you by your throat, and made you sit up and listen. This just sums up what the band seems to be about now. Maybe they have grown old. Whatever it is, they have lost that edge that they had before. For me, the album is a collection of dreary songs, none of which reach you with any of the energy and drive that there was before. Even the lyrics seem half-hearted, and with so little energy in the delivery, they just don't grab you anymore. It is quite possible to put the whole album on, without being aroused by anything. There is no drive, so soul, no guts. I feel quite sad about it. Of course, some people might prefer the new set-up, but I fear that anyone who liked the band from a few years ago will be disappointed."

Takes a while to grow on you...

Badger | Edinburgh, Scotland, UK | 10/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I still don't agree with the negative reviews for this album. I was a massive fan back in the 90's and thought A Weapon Called The Word, Levelling The Land and Levellers were all kick-ass albums that were gutsy and had more ballsy folk-rock anthems than you could shake a stick at.

But then again, every artist or group has to progress at some point. The previous album to this one, Mouth To Mouth, started to see the Levs add more production and knob-twiddling effects into their work and it spawned Beautiful Day - which is now perceived to be one of their "classic" songs.

Hello Pig just takes it a step further along this direction and, contrary to popular belief, it isn't bad at all. I'll accept that the first track is very Beatles-esque, but after that it becomes a little like stepping into a surreal - yet not unenjoyable - dream.

Tracks like Edge of the World, Red Sun Burns and Voices On The Wind are truly great tunes, while the Beefheart-like Modern Day Tragedy is thoroughly intriguing. There are vocal harmonies, fiddle effects and introspective lyrics a-plenty and it's well worth sticking with for a few weeks to get the full benefit.

I think the problem is that far too many fans went out and bought it, realised it wasn't Levelling The Land mark II, and then didn't listen to it ever again. Their loss - once it grows on you you'll come to love it far more than some of the twaddle on Zeitgiest."

Tasty new stuff from the Levs

Badger | 10/09/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's a bit 'harder' than "Mouth to Mouth," which is not a bad thing. This has a bit more of an edge. The first song, "Happy Birthday Revolution" sounds as if it's being sung by John Lennon himself. "The Weed that Killed Elvis" is pure brilliance. They experimented a lot with this album with voice-manipulators and things, and it does lack those fiddle licks that I love so much in their previous albums. Overall-- classic Levellers. A very fine album."