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UB40
Not to be overtly judgmental, but I figured the days of relevance for UB40 were long gone. Twenty years ago, they had a significant impact on the pop charts, and brought a degree of contemporary flair and respectability to ‘classic’ reggae music (as opposed to the ‘dancehall’ style which virtually usurped reggae on Jamaica’s own pop charts). The band’s original output consisted of original compositions, but their biggest success came from reggae-fied cover versions of other people’s songs (Neil Diamond, Al Green, etc., etc.). While financially successful, this “Labour of Love” formula deprived the band of their own means of self-expression and began to wear thin after a series of albums dedicated to other people’s music. I simply figured that the band had lost its creative edge, which would have explained why they faded into the woodwork for a while.
Judging from the evidence provided on “Who You Fighting For?,” it appears as though against all odds - the band has regained its creative focus, and perhaps even improved. The majority of the songs here are written by the bandmembers, combining political observations and love songs with a strong melodic edge that stands easily among their best work. “War Poem” has an ominous title, but the rhythmic melody is practically contagious, while the album’s title track and “Plenty More” are equally commendable (and equally politicized, dancing on the vocal hook of “Five megatons of oblivion, sent with love from the Pentagon”). All three songs betray the working-class politics of a country dragged into an unpopular war, and they make their point while somehow managing to sound downright joyful. Elsewhere, “Gotta Tell Someone” is flat out celebratory, discussing love in gratifyingly uncomplicated terms, along with the danceably energetic come-on of “After Tonight”. And just for the record, “Things You Say You Love” is the best pop song I’ve heard so far this year, with an intoxicating string arrangement that suggests (and surpasses) the Supremes’ “Someday We’ll Be Together”.
Given their history, this wouldn’t be a UB40 album without a few well-chosen cover songs, and the choices presented here are brilliantly selected. I consider myself a Beatles fanatic, but I have no idea where they found a Lennon-McCartney tune entitled “I’ll Be On My Way.” Naturally, it’s great, but just as good is their reworking of “Kiss and Say Goodbye,” a song that already got the reggae treatment from singer John Holt. Considering the overall quality of “Who You Fighting For?,” I can only wonder why UB40 has been away so long. Better than good, this might just be the best album of their career, and it’s great to have them back.
Grade: 
 
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