Too Many Dreams in This Wasteland
The Enemy’s debut…
The Mid 00s was quite the time for guitar music. With Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs all ruling the roost in the U.K.
Yet it would be a band from Coventry who would release one of the best albums of that time.
The Enemy’s debut album ‘We’ll Live & Die in These Town’s’ was a 37 minute tale of life for the working class in Britain in the 00s. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s not trendy or fashionable but believe me it’s relatable.
The Enemy grew up in Coventry and were influenced by The Jam, and Oasis and this influence can be heard all the way through this debut record. I am by no means taking away from what the band did though. This is not a pale imitation of those two great bands, it is a brilliant record, that Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts crafted for themselves.
They got the balance perfectly right, this album doesn’t hang about. ‘Aggro’ and ‘Away from Here’ make you stand up and listen. Especially ‘Away from Here’ even on your first listen, that chorus feels familiar, it feels timeless. A truly euphoric moment, that would spark the record into life. If the previous track hasn’t already done that for you with its opening line of ‘Call the Police.’
It’s a record that instantly hits you, and doesn’t slow down.
They don’t have the quirkiness of the Kaiser Chiefs or the quick with of an Alex Turner but they get straight to the point. ‘Technodanceaphobic’ talks about posh girls and Mummys boys being led astray, with tales of debauchery. All soundtracked by pulsating drums and snarling guitars. It’s a nasty but gripping two and a half minute affair.
Even in the bands slower more acoustic moments. The songs still pack a punch. ‘We’ll Live & Die in These Songs’ sees the band at their most anthemic. Writing about the town they are trying to escape. Layered acoustic guitars over strings. This is one of the best portrayals of England in song ever. A modern ‘That’s Entertainment’. Yes that good. Even today in 2023 it still stands up. Providing us with a musical picture of the daily lives we all lead. If you’re from Coventry, Crewe, Cannock or Carlisle this song will resonate with you.
‘This Song is About You’ is another of these slower affairs. That builds and builds into something quite special, an anthem for the every man. If ‘We Live & Die in These Towns’ talks about the place, ‘This Song is About You’ is about the people. All of them. The hometown heroes, and villains, the people the band would leave behind. Another brilliant snapshot into working class life. Maybe the bands crowing moment.
My favourite track on the album ‘You’re Not Alone’ is about a real event, and that makes it all the poignant. The song is about Peugeot's Coventry factory closing down with the loss of 2,300 jobs, this happened but before Christmas in 2006.
It was a huge event for the people of Coventry and it inspired the band to write this song. A snarling attack on the powers at be, who ‘Sold us down the River. Then drowned and beat the brave.
It was an attack on those in power but also a word of encouragement to those who had lost their jobs. Not just those at Peugeot but those up and down the country.
It’s a brilliant statement of working class pride, and a massive two fingers to those in charge.
‘There’s just too many dreams in this wasteland, for you to leave us all behind.’ Sums up this record as a whole
Last year I got to see the band play this record in full. It still is their best piece of work. They know that. We know that and hearing it in its entirety, in order. Reminded me just how brilliant it was. Not many have done it better. The Jam did it in the 70s and 80s, Oasis had there moments in the 90s but no other band tackled working class trials and tribulations like The Enemy. This album does is perfectly.
For Tom, Andy, Liam
Sean and John x
Thank you for reading x