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The Ian Broudie-produced Defeat Your Enemy brought out the band's varying influences in different ways, resulting in a varied record touching on everything from funk to folk. But as successful as earlier works? Yes and no. Unquestionably, the band's knack for big, uplifting but not hollow performances was still in fine flower, as the smash single "Understanding Jane" showed. A quick, fierce rocker with an instantly catchy pop vibe and a brilliant chorus, it's a '50s tearjerker filtered through the Ramones with fantastic results. Another winner is the opening cut, "Evangeline," with a lovely chorus consisting of overdubbed vocals from the band and guest singer Alison Limerick and a quick, Motown-touched rhythm supporting McNabb's powerful singing. Then there's "Up Here in the North of England," a slow, string-touched waltz winningly sung while bitterly ripping into the political state of the nation line for line. McNabb's vocals throughout the album are deeper than before, but still with the same general sense of control and projection; if anything, he was doing a better David Bowie croon than Bowie himself could do at the time. However, elsewhere the elements are in place but the performance isn't quite there. Part of this can be laid at Broudie's feet as well as the various mixers on the record, who bring things to a too commercially ready punch and sheen. Consider the arena-level pound of Sharrock's drums on "Hope Springs Eternal," where earlier his performances wouldn't need such overamping to make their impact. It's not just a technical question, though; McNabb's guitar here aims for a classic rock style that the band doesn't really need. Other songs like "When You Were Mine" bury a good song and performance with technically accomplished but cold results. In the end, Defeat Your Enemy half defeats itself, but not without some blazingly brilliant results on the way.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
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Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Alison Limerick, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
DISC 2
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer - VAN MORRISON, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Warner Bros. Music Ltd., MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Kelly, StudioMusician - ROBBIE ROBERTSON, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Island Music Ltd., MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Wyatt, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Virgin Music (PUBLISHERS) Ltd., MusicPublisher - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer - Randy California, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Rondor Music (London) Ltd., MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer - Neil Young, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Silver Fiddle Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher - Hipgnosis Songs Group, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Sharrock, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Ian Mcnabb, Composer, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Sharrock, Composer, AssociatedPerformer - Peer Music, MusicPublisher - The Icicle Works, MainArtist - Harry Fox Agency, MusicPublisher - Chris Layhe, Composer, AssociatedPerformer - CMRRA, MusicPublisher
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
Album review
The Ian Broudie-produced Defeat Your Enemy brought out the band's varying influences in different ways, resulting in a varied record touching on everything from funk to folk. But as successful as earlier works? Yes and no. Unquestionably, the band's knack for big, uplifting but not hollow performances was still in fine flower, as the smash single "Understanding Jane" showed. A quick, fierce rocker with an instantly catchy pop vibe and a brilliant chorus, it's a '50s tearjerker filtered through the Ramones with fantastic results. Another winner is the opening cut, "Evangeline," with a lovely chorus consisting of overdubbed vocals from the band and guest singer Alison Limerick and a quick, Motown-touched rhythm supporting McNabb's powerful singing. Then there's "Up Here in the North of England," a slow, string-touched waltz winningly sung while bitterly ripping into the political state of the nation line for line. McNabb's vocals throughout the album are deeper than before, but still with the same general sense of control and projection; if anything, he was doing a better David Bowie croon than Bowie himself could do at the time. However, elsewhere the elements are in place but the performance isn't quite there. Part of this can be laid at Broudie's feet as well as the various mixers on the record, who bring things to a too commercially ready punch and sheen. Consider the arena-level pound of Sharrock's drums on "Hope Springs Eternal," where earlier his performances wouldn't need such overamping to make their impact. It's not just a technical question, though; McNabb's guitar here aims for a classic rock style that the band doesn't really need. Other songs like "When You Were Mine" bury a good song and performance with technically accomplished but cold results. In the end, Defeat Your Enemy half defeats itself, but not without some blazingly brilliant results on the way.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 27 track(s)
- Total length: 01:56:13
- Main artists: The Icicle Works
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Beggars Banquet
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd 2011 Beggars Banquet Records Ltd
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