Life’s a Riot With Spy vs Spy

Armed with only his electric guitar and one of the most trenchant lyrical minds of the early '80s, Billy Bragg punched a folk-punk hole in the glossy British pop scene with his debut album. Despite the minimalist voice and guitar arrangements, Bragg shows off a keen sense of songcraft. Although he first gained attention for the clever sociopolitical lyrics of tracks like "The Busy Girl Buys Beauty," the wistful "A New England" and lovelorn "The Milkman of Human Kindness" reveal a romantic's soul.