Chris Pope & The Chords UK
‘But Then Again: The Best Of’
9/10
Chris Pope doesn’t do things by half, and this sumptuous Chords UK ‘Best Of’ release proves once more what a stickler he is for releasing top-quality tunes.
Opening the album with the old one-two of the beautifully sorrowful and nostalgic ‘British Way Of Life’ is a bold as brass statement of blue chip songwriting. The musical and societal influences merge into one traffic jammed lane of exhaust fume Rock ‘N’ Roll while the kids kick the back of the driver’s seat and Dad plays with the AM/MW radio circular controls. Next up is the boots ‘n’ braces of ‘Brave New World’ before the retro sponge and custard gusto of ‘Get Me To Saturday Night’. Babyshambles may possibly owe Chris Pope some reperations for ‘White Van Man’ while ‘Mutiny On The Thames’ bowls down the dirty river of privatisation with foot-paddling pomp. Lyrically, Chris Pope is up there with our nation’s greats, and this lovingly comprised collection only reinforces his genius, guile and attention to his proudly patriotic, self-decripating pavement poetry. ‘Hipsters Of London’ should be played over the PA before every Weller gig, as could any of the cuts on this definitive remastered/re-recorded feast. The prophetic ‘Gentrified The Elephant’ and the Stones kissed intro to ‘Another Thing Coming’ lead ‘Eat ..Sleep ..Work ..Repeat’ evoke memories of brown pay packets, foremen in long coats, lager-soaked Friday nights, and chip shop romances. An acoustic take on ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ introduces eighteen extras compromising of B-sides, live tracks and acoustic feather cuts. ‘But Then Again’ perfectly encapsulates Pope’s incisive musical legacy, uncompromising longevity, and his (and The Chords UK) in-for-a-pound, battle-ready future.
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