Present Arms
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Average of 5 reviews
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Marvelous captivating album. If I could give more then 5 stars, I would!
The packaging is quite nice. It's handy having both albums together in one set. Though, I do have some concerns about the bass, which is clearly lacking compared to the original pressing.
Great clean pressing, mine was 'made in Germany', the bass is a bit strong but fits well on a Reggae album. The main disc is flawless. The dub disc has a (very) slight warp but it doesn't impact playback. Excellent packaging, highly recommended.
UB40’s "Present Arms" echoes the Clash in its politically charged lyrics, taking aim at Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher in 1981 with anti-militaristic themes and a call for marijuana legalization. The band wraps these messages in a thick, reverb-soaked sound that’s both invigorating and soothing, putting a smile on your face while making you think. People tend to either love UB40 or dismiss them, but few truly dislike their unique style. Their music is understated yet subversive, with melodies that are smooth and rounded, designed to captivate and inspire. UB40’s albums, particularly this one, embody the spirit of summer, delivering important messages without being preachy or uncomfortable. You might expect their passion to burn hot, but instead, they’re more like warm embers—gentle yet capable of igniting, with a warmth that makes their ideas resonate. Their music is a blend of groove-heavy riffs and sparkling, uplifting melodies that feel honest and soulful. UB40 is a true multicultural band, and this album stands out for its production, message, and the era it came from, tracing its roots to Birmingham’s underground Jamaican reggae scene, which emphasized deep bass lines and dub influences. Both "Present Arms" and "Labour of Love" have been reissued with bonus discs, though the extras are mostly live recordings that give a taste of their live energy. The remastering is well done, making these reissues worth it for the sound quality alone. Still, there’s something special about playing the original vinyl, flaws and all—the pops, scratches, and surface noise add character, making the music feel timeless.
Recording levels are super low, I gotta crank the signal up by 5db and it's still not enough, without the art pre II pre amp and gain it would've been terrible, and it's still pretty bad even with gain up to 8, it's goin' in my sell box, what a bummer. Just maxed the db out to 10, it's that bad, +10db, I bet my old tandy tape deck from 1985 could've done a better job. Someone needs to fire that sound engineer.
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