The Levellers decided they wanted to do something a bit different with their back catalogue to kick off celebrations for their 30th anniversary year in 2018. They brought in a string section and enlisted legendary producer John Leckie (Radiohead, The Stone Roses) to help develop new acoustic arrangements for eight of their previous singles including Liberty, Hope Street and One Way which they recorded straight to tape at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios.They also recorded two brand new songs ‘The Shame’ and ‘Drug Bust McGee’ and the result is 10 track album ‘We The Collective’ which will be released on Deluxe CD and Vinyl on 09 March 2018 on the band’s own On The Fiddle Recordings label. Lead singer Mark Chadwick says “The different musicians, producer and the studio combined to make something really special”.
R**S
A classic already.
You know the songs. You've danced to them many times. You've even got the t shirt. If you're anything like me, a fan since 91 and an avid collector of Levellers songs, you'll already own multiple versions of these songs. So is this just another greatest hits release designed to add to your overdraft but not your collection? Well, actually no. This is rewriting songs. From scratch. There a many sing along moments, just not where you expect them. There are haunting melodies. There is orchestration with attitude. But ultimately this is a work of love. It's fascinating to see a song written right at the beginning (Travelogue) that became a b side in 91 and the name of the first biography given a new burst of life. Stunning backing vocals by former support She Makes War's Laura Kidd and a talented supporting cast, I heartily recommend this. Make sure you get the 2cd version. We are the collective indeed.
N**G
GREAT NEW VERSIONS OF OLD CLASSICS
This is a must for any Levellers fan, brings back the memories of tracks you probably haven't listen to in years. Not full of the singles but some well chosen faves like "England my home" and "Subvert". Listening to the new version of "The liberty song" made the hairs on the back of neck stand up. Anyone new to the leveller should buy "Levelling the land" or "Static on the airwaves" first, then buy this.
T**Y
Different
Really like this cd. They have made an excellent accoustic cd
K**T
Briiliant takes them to the next ‘level’
As an old fan of the Levelers, used to love their energetic music and stage performances. Was initially dissapointed to hear that their latest album was billed as a rework. Stupid me this is brilliant, still distinctive levellers but with a very rich and well produced complementary orchestration to take their work to the next and more mature level.
D**T
WE THE COLLECTIVE
Bloody Brilliant 10/10
A**Y
Levellers at their best.
Amazing rearrangement of some of their classic songs with some brilliant new songs thrown in. Another great recording from a hardworking band; one of those you never get tired of listening to.
M**S
Amazing album!!
I loved this album!! So many fresh versions of the classics. The new songs were a bit meh but I wasn’t buying it for the new material really
J**G
Really good acoustic re-imaginings
Some really good acoustic re-imaginings of their classics, just a shame the digital version lacks the bonus tracks you get with the physical version.
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