The main thread that runs through Andy Robinson's debut album and binds the songs together is a state of dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction with life, the world, and, in particular, his home country. He may only be 24 years old, but he's already cynical and jaded, and in short, he's not a happy chap on many of the songs here.
There are occasions when this manifests as a vague ennui, a desire to ditch the 9-5 and do... well, nothing, really. Travel, chill out, kick back and enjoy life. Fair enough, but surely a life of leisure would become boring after a while. Still, we can all dream, I suppose.
However, many of the lyrics are caustic observations regarding large corporations taking over the country (and the world) The title track has a bitter edge, and sees Robinson cast his eye over the sink estates and dismiss Johnny Rotten as a 'sold out punk.' He's got a point. Yet there's a swaggering raucousness about its oompah brass backing and in Robinson's delivery, which culminates in an off-kilter Tom Waits-esque yowl that's rather enjoyable.
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'Sunshine When It Rains' is a charming and simple acoustic folk song, with a hint of 'Songs from a Room'-era Leonard Cohen in both delivery and lyrical style, as Robinson adopts the mantle of troubadour with a bittersweet perspective - sunshine and rain both at once, you could say. In fact, this sums up 'England's Bleeding’ rather nicely: yes, he’s a grouchy bugger, but he does paint some pleasanter scenes and show a softer side at times, making for an album that’s rounded and has heart, even if it doesn't staunch the flow of plasma and platelets.
Robinson Online
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