Albums
life's a riot with spy vs. spy - billy bragg

Billy Bragg - Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy (LP)

Name: Billy Bragg - Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy (LP)
Brand: Billy Bragg
SKU: 4G80jLXzpeMPT1YJnltV33
Rating: 4.3 (3 reviews)

Billy Bragg

LP
1 piece(s)
2013
15 tracks
34 min
alt country

Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy

Check availability on amazon.com

Product description

Billy Bragg's debut album, "Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy," is a raw and energetic exploration of alt-country, anti-folk, and folk-punk sounds that have become synonymous with his distinctive style. Originally released in 1983, this special 30th-anniversary edition offers a remastered version of the original album, along with a live solo performance recorded as a unique encore. The album is a compact yet powerful collection of 15 tracks, clocking in at just over 34 minutes, featuring politically charged songs like "To Have and to Have Not," which tackles issues such as the school system and unemployment, alongside tender love songs.

This album showcases Billy Bragg's early prowess as a singer-songwriter, with iconic tracks like "A New England," "The Milkman of Human Kindness," and "The Man in the Iron Mask" highlighting his ability to blend poignant lyrics with catchy melodies. The live tracks provide a dynamic contrast, capturing the raw energy and authenticity that Bragg brings to his performances. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Billy Bragg's music, this album is a testament to his enduring influence on the Americana and folk-punk genres.

This is a 2023 Remastered Repress released as a LP.

Tracks

The Milkman of Human KindnessBilly Bragg
2:48
To Have and to Have NotBilly Bragg
2:33
RichardBilly Bragg
2:51
A New EnglandBilly Bragg
2:15
The Man in the Iron MaskBilly Bragg
2:14
The Busy Girl Buys BeautyBilly Bragg
1:59
Lovers Town RevisitedBilly Bragg
1:19
Intro - LiveBilly Bragg
0:58
Lovers Town Revisited - LiveBilly Bragg
1:15
To Have and to Have Not - LiveBilly Bragg
2:23
The Busy Girl Buys Beauty - LiveBilly Bragg
2:16
The Man in the Iron Mask - LiveBilly Bragg
2:17
Richard - LiveBilly Bragg
3:09
The Milkman of Human Kindness - LiveBilly Bragg
2:44
A New England - LiveBilly Bragg
3:41

PLAY ON SPOTIFY

Product specifications

Details

Album: Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy
Artist: Billy Bragg
LP release year: 2023
Album release date: October 21, 2013
Label: Billy Bragg
EAN: 711297499605
Available: No

Product information

Format: LP
Quantity: 1 piece(s)
Type: Repress
Mono or stereo: Stereo
Duration: 34 min
Tracks: 15 tracks

EAN

EAN: 711297499605

Other

Limited Edition: No
Country: UK
Genre: Alt country
Box set: No
Remastered: Yes
Reissue: No

Your new recordplayer

Whether you're just starting your vinyl collection or have been spinning for years, the right turntable makes all the difference. We've selected the best options for every budget.

Discover our selection of turntables

Reviews

4.3

Average of 3 reviews

How do we keep reviews authentic?

Whether a review is positive, negative, or neutral, we always publish it. However, we screen every review to ensure it is authentic and free of profanity. These checks happen automatically, though a human occasionally steps in. We never pay for reviews.

Labels Switched, Killer Treble
5 out of 5 stars
t_BloQahWen_tMay 10, 2025United States🇺🇸
In my version, the labels are switched up. "Then" is actually the Union Chapel live tracks, and "Now" is the studio originals. Got it straight from the artist himself, and it's even signed by him, so it's all good. The A (or is it B?) side's got a killer treble vibe.
Chilly A Side, Packed B Side
4 out of 5 stars
7kmffdurqMarch 22, 2025United States🇺🇸
Man, the A side has this kinda chilly vibe to it. Been a Bragg newbie till now, so I ain't got no other records to match it up with, but the guitar seems kinda distant, y'know? (Though the B side's packed full and mixed real nice)
UK Album Variant Query
4 out of 5 stars
buwpt_tw00January 12, 2024United Kingdom🇬🇧
Hello, I'm in need of some assistance regarding this album. I possess a copy that's nearly the same as this one, with identical label, cover, and credits. However, the center of my copy is recessed from the spindle hole out to a diameter of 63mm (2.5 inches), and the runouts are etched, not stamped. It's definitely a UK version. The runouts are etched with UTIL.1 A3 and UTIL.1 B3. The period is centered, not at the bottom. There's another mark on both sides that resembles a stamped 'D' but it's hard to decipher, poorly stamped. I haven't come across any other releases like this. I'll add this as another release if no one has any insights. Thanks