Album: “Who You Fighting For?”

Description

Additional personnel: Martin Meredith (alto saxophone); Laurence Parry (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone). <p>A striking return to form, UB40's WHO YOU FIGHTING FOR? finds the long-running British ensemble not only offering up its trademark catchy pop hooks and vibrant reggae rhythms, but also returning to the more political themes that marked lauded early-1980s albums like PRESENT ARMS and GEFFERY MORGAN. <p>The opening title track features bright, buoyant melodies that are counterbalanced by a direct lyrical assault on the war in Iraq ("you do the killing--they do the drilling"), while the horn-laden, dub-tinged "War Poem" casts the focus on those trapped in the middle of global conflict. Elsewhere, UB40 offers up swooning lovers rock on the percolating "After Tonight" and the gentle "One Woman Man," and takes on a Beatles rarity with the easy-going "I'll Be on My Way," all of which showcase lead vocalist Ali Campbell's lilting croon. Those who think there is little more to UB40 than its breezy Club Med take on "Red Red Wine" will be pleasantly surprised by this bold, thoroughly engaging album.