mr Love and justice

“From the opening track Welcome to Our Garden (on which the band come across as a more radio-friendly Show of Hands) to the closing track, it is a very English sound, with influences from great English artists like XTC, The Kinks, and Paul Weller jostling for position in a collection of superbly crafted and well written songs. Biting, questioning, intelligent lyrics cocooned in vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar performances to die for, and a mellow laid-back groove remind me of some of the earlier Beautiful South albums, on which the melodies sometimes hide the force of the lyrics. In the case of Mr Love & Justice this is a good thing, because you get sucked in by the groove... a marvellous album, an excellent collection of folk/rock/pop music. It has an English charm and an English soul, and is all the better for it. Wonderful stuff.” - James Turner

“Mr. Love & Justice present Homeground with the inviting sound of 1960s British pop, with catchy hooks, a friendly competition between vocals and guitar, and playful, candy-sweet lyrics that happen to have a razor waiting in the center. The initial taste of that sharpness, in the deceptively innocent "Welcome to Our Garden," cuts deeply. The rest of the album can't pack as much surprise, but vocalist Steve Cox sounds so innocent, Chris Anniss and Nick Ruddle keep their percussion so mellow, that the sharp edge of the lyrics manages to find an unprotected spot every time. Only Andy Jones' bass and Marcus de Freitas' guitar issue give reminders of the danger, with a constant growl hiding in the otherwise gentle instrumentals as they wind along "The Road" or let time drift "Watching Water." That unpredictable edge gives Homeground more power and deeper effect than its early pop sound would otherwise allow. An easygoing album that refuses to fade into the background, Homeground has dark appeal for the nostalgic and the cutting edge alike.” - Sarah Meador

“Ages after the success of the legendary XTC, the English town of Swindon has brought forth a new promising band known by the name of "Mr Love & Justice", who have recently released their first album, "Homeground". Reviewers have praised the quintet's debut variously as the "finest example of English acoustic rock available anywhere today", an "album that has a lot to offer" or a collection of "wickedly achieved pop songs", if not "rolling pastoral tunes". The band name The Beatles, Billy Bragg, XTC and Richard Thompson as their major inspirations, whereas others have identified the influences of The Byrds, Loving Spoonful and "perhaps even" Jefferson Airplane and Paul Weller. One way or the other, "Homeground" is a well-crafted album with excellent guitar work, clever lyrics (such as their statement in favour of British multi-culturalism in "Welcome to Our Garden") and a genuinely "English" feel to it: a promising debut in the realm of acoustic roots/rock music!” - Erik Margraf

“The band is a pretty good all rounder, a mixture of folk and pop, but has a unique style and a definite spark. The album boasts some great lyrics, acoustic guitar music and fantastic vocals. It has number of very memorable songs and some I cannot help humming away to. 'Welcome to our Garden' opens the album and is a fabulous song. It sets the mood for the rest of the CD and reflects the spirit of the band well. The track 'Wheatsheaf' possesses a lovely soothing quality and wonderful sentiment. The song beautifully illustrates and compares love with the flourishing seasons and to the growing of the corn. 'Homeground', is a soothing and easy song to listen to. The music is mostly simple and gentle, it is an enjoyable, relaxing listen.” - Hannah Win "Skip"

“Arriving on a wave of acoustic guitars and rough harmonies, this UK five piece will remind people of what groups used to sound like. Coming across as a group with a kind of musical link to Crowded House, catchy lyrics and hooks are the elements that make Mr Love & Justice stand out from other well-established bands. The opening WELCOME TO OUR GARDEN is a sarcastic look at all things that is great about the English weather and countryside, amongst other things that can be found in “our garden of hate”. Even though IDEAL MEAL has a catchy chorus, the organic sentiments in the song come across as pure mother earth propaganda, “when you reap all that you sow, you only eat what you can grow”. I think we can assume that the song is not about supermarkets and fast food. We are then treated with beautiful images of running through the grass and flax on WHEATSHEAF and the hometown sentiments of WISH HOUND. The difference of opinion between two people expressed in THE ROAD changes the mood of the album, proving that the group have the ability to change their sound. The near instrumental TUMBLEWEED features the repetitive line “I do that too”, giving the song a strange mystic mystery to what it might be about. WATCHING WATER is a slow melancholy acoustic track, which the group should produce more of. HIDE & SEEK is like an answer to The Beatles ‘Hello Goodbye’, making this a fine way to close the album.” - EDF

“Mr. Love & Justice follows the acoustic pop rock train as it makes its stops along the finer realms of our great planet. With a singer who might just be the reincarnation of young Dylan albeit with a British accent...wickedly achieved pop songs that will have you humming along in no time? Yes absolutely in an easily digestible format.” - J-Sin

“Homeground is just about the finest example of English acoustic rock available anywhere today. 12 brilliantly crafted quirky, lyrical, haunting harmonies that reflect the bands own Homeground, Swindon. Comparisons to Swindons other finest, XTC are inevitable but don't be mislead, other influences abound, Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bragg, a real eclectic mix resulting in something unique and refreshing and often moving. Welcome to our Garden and Wheatsheaf set the scene early on while Watching Water and Hide & Seek made the hair on the back of my neck tingle and induced tremendous feelings of nostalgia for the old West Country from which I myself hail. If you thought acoustic guitars can't rock then think again.” - Grant Meaby

“If Acoustic Guitars are your thing, you’re fed up with the Crows failure to release anything new and now that Billy Pilgrim's 'In the Time Machine' is permanently out of stock, you could do a lot worse than invest $10 and 45 minutes listening to Homeground. Homeground presents 12 competently arranged tunes, all with their own appeal and all finding that fine middle ground between the raw acoustic and the over-orchestrated. From the upbeat complexity of Ideal Meal through the wonderfully rambling Tumbleweed, to the simplicity of Wheatsheaf and my personal favourite, Watching Water, Homeground is mature, educated and enjoyable. With a raw edge that reminds of the Finn Brothers before they sold out, Homeground has that ‘hand made in the country’ feel that brings the best out of the acoustic sound. It's not Billy, but its the next best thing. Recommended.” - Pete Johnson

“A superb offering from Swindon's best band since XTC. The album reflects their surroundings: gritty urban lyricism surrounded by rolling pastoral tunes. The opening tracks, Welcome To Our Garden and Ideal Meal, sum up the overall feel of the album; great pop tunes with lyrics drifting between disillusionment and hope. Wheatsheaf introduces the folky feel to the procedings and is followed by Wish Hound, a track that wouldn't be out of place on XTC's English Settlement. Towards the end of the album, Tumbleweed is a drifting, rambling instrumental that relaxes the listener before Window Shopping brings you back down to Earth with a bump. If you're wondering about this album, buy it now, your curiosity will be well rewarded.” - Pete Goldsworthy

“At the time of writing this, there seems to be a lot of media arguments over what is or is not "folk music". I don't propose getting into that here, but would just say that if Woven Wheat Whispers, or the artist believe their music falls into our very broad definition of folk music they are welcome here. This should serve as a warning that the following album is one that the "folk police" will detest, but it's one that I genuinely love. There are no 18th century broadsides, no re-workings of Child ballads nor references to any true or imagined "tradition". If that's what you are searching for, move on to one of the other great artists we work with, for this is an acoustic rock / pop / folk crossover that is splendid in every respect. Homeground is to date the only album by this 4 piece band from Swindon, but what a cracker it is. If there is any justice in the world, it should be the first of many. Sitting here in a grey nondescript northern town during February, summer sunshine seems so far away, but this album brings great washes of blue sky, golden sunshine into my life. The overall vibe of the album suggests English summers, simple pleasures and carefree times. Listening you can catch references to classic and quintessential English pop by Ray Davies, Paul Weller or XTC. You pick up on the shimmering 12 string guitar that brings to mind Roger McGuinn or The Long Ryders and catch timeless pop sensibilities of The Beatles, Crowded House or..... well just fill in the classic artist of your choice! This is a far more vital album than those references may suggest though as Mr Love and Justice are no mere style copyists. Superb melodies run throughout the length of the album and these are coupled with catchy hook laden choruses. They arrangements and playing are never anything less than first class and the production is wonderful. It seems unfair, to single out just three of the twelve tracks as samples, but I sincerely hope that it will be enough to tempt you to download this album, or visit the band's website to purchase the CD or their more recent EP.I cannot recommend this album enough. As I said earlier, the old guard may get their knickers in knot arguing that such albums are not "folk". Personally I don't give a toss. It's folky enough for me and has everything this pair of jaded old ears seeks in a contemporary release.”