Search - Stiff Little Fingers :: Get a Life

The Digits are still Rigid

Thomas A. Corpino | Hartsdale, NY United States | 03/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the 2nd release by SLF in their latest incarnation (Burns-Foxton-Taylor) after the pretty flat "Flags and Emblems". And, boy, does this disc come right at you. The engineering and production values downright glisten-this is probably the very best they have ever sounded on a studio recording. Just listen to the steel-stringed neo-Celtic ballad "Harp" and you'll know where I'm coming from. Oh...yeah-this sucker rocks. Now, with ex-Jam member Bruce Foxton much more comfortable handling the bass chores, he and founding father Jake Burns rip through a couple of very Jam influenced cuts ("When the Stars Fall from the Sky", "The Road to Kingdom Come") and Jake blisters a lead on "Can't Believe in You" that would make Paul Weller stare in disbelief. Hell, as a bonus, you even get a live version of them covering a Jam obscurity ("Smithers-Jones"). A very good collection of songs-from the supercharged ("Baby Blue", "No Laughing Matter", "What if I Want More") to the acoustic (yes... UNplugged) versions of three oldies-but-VERY-goodies ("Listen", "Silver Lining", and "Wasted Life"). To old school punkers, this is defintely no "Nobody's Heroes", but, if you are a fan of this great Irish rock band this CD will not disappoint. Jake Burns' songwriting prowess, vocal stylings, and guitar work continue to mature gracefully with age. Peace..."

One of their best

skak1 | 03/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SLF have now been going for many years. Many therefore assume that they have nothing new to offer. The assumption that this is a bunch of ageing has-beens would appear re-enforced by the fact that playing alongside SLF founder Jake Burns are former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton and former Tom Robinson drummer Dolphin Taylor. Is this just a bunch a former punks who can't find a real job? Most definitely not. This is a career high and rates with their very best albums: Inflammable Material, Go for It, Hope Street. The songs are very varied ranging from the grunge influenced to melodical ballads like 'I want You'. The song 'Get a Life' includes one of their best gaelic-rock guitar rifts. Fans brought up on Inflammable Material will find it hard to accept but this actually contains some of their very best political songs: Harp, Baby Blue and When the Stars Fall from the Sky (although the chorus is very disappointing on that one). If you liked the early stuff but are open-minded enough to accept both change and the ageing process then you'll love this. Unfortunately the album has the worst sleeve of all time."