Query

[Routine Builder]

Originally Posted by roi

There are plenty of political songs on their recent albums (Golden Platitudes, Auto Intoxication, 30 Year War). Although it's true that they stick to UK politics generally. Ifwhiteamerica.. was an extremely complex lyric about US politics, but by their own admission The Love of Richard Nixon didn't really make its point very well.

As for activism, didn't they support the campaign against closure of libraries in Wales recently, alongside Unison? That's more than most bands manage to do.

True, but what I failed to put forward is that they only really talk about politics in how it effects them or at most Wales. Even with the closure of Cardiff Library, it was limited to an interview or opinion piece. They might play the odd benefit gig but as far as I've seen have never been at the forefront of a movement or cause. The way they discuss politics is personal hence why their most recent political lyrics have strong links to the eighties and the miner's strike. Nicky seems to write about how he feels rather than trying to convince people to take action or feel a certain way. The closest they've come to that recently is Lets Go To War which James himself felt a tad embarrassed about considering how earnest and youthful it is.

Also I feel that Nixon was more of an allegory of how about the band felt about their own history being marred by the whole shaking hands and having dinner with Castro.