Volume 2 cover

Volume 2

Billy Bragg · 2006

364 min · 125 tracks · alternative rock

A spirited collection of folk-infused rock that channels personal and political narratives through poignant melodies.

Why this album works

'Volume 2' is significant for its deep exploration of themes like love, politics, and everyday life, resonating with listeners both critically and commercially. The album's critical reception was favorable, with publications noting its lyrical depth and musical craftsmanship, further solidifying Bragg's position as a key voice in modern folk-rock.
Best for
dynamic journey with emotional peaks spirited sing-alongs with friends reflective moments during quiet evenings
Context
In 2006, Billy Bragg released 'Volume 2' as a follow-up to his earlier compilations, marking a phase of renewed artistic focus. This album arrived during a period when Bragg was re-establishing his voice in the acoustic and alternative rock scene after decades of influential music-making. It reflects his enduring commitment to storytelling and social commentary.
Stylistic neighbors
Splean· Bi-2· Blur

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 She's Got a New Spell Standout 3:25
  • 2 Must I Paint You a Picture? 5:32
  • 3 Tender Comrade 2:50
  • 4 The Price I Pay Standout 3:34
  • 5 Little Time Bomb 2:17
  • 6 Rotting on Remand 3:39
  • 7 Valentine's Day Is Over 4:53
  • 8 Life With the Lions 3:06
  • 9 The Only One 3:26
  • 10 The Short Answer 4:59
  • 11 Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards Standout 4:36

Disc 2

  • 1 The Only One (demo) 3:36
  • 2 The Price I Pay (demo) 4:01
  • 3 Love Has No Pride 3:35
  • 4 That's Entertainment 3:53
  • 5 She's Got a New Spell (demo) 2:44
  • 6 The Short Answer (demo) 5:21
  • 7 Little Time Bomb (demo) 2:21
  • 8 Bad Penny (demo) 3:05
  • 9 Reason to Believe (live) 2:12
  • 10 Must I Paint You a Picture? (extended version) 7:13
  • 11 Raglan Road (live) 3:46

Disc 3

  • 1 Accident Waiting to Happen 4:00
  • 2 Moving the Goalposts 2:34
  • 3 Everywhere 5:00
  • 4 Cindy of a Thousand Lives 4:14
  • 5 You Woke Up My Neighbourhood 3:11
  • 6 Trust 4:13
  • 7 God's Footballer 3:04
  • 8 The Few 3:27
  • 9 Sexuality 3:48
  • 10 Mother of the Bride 3:35
  • 11 Tank Park Salute 3:30
  • 12 Dolphins 4:20
  • 13 North Sea Bubble 3:19
  • 14 Rumours of War 2:50
  • 15 Wish You Were Her 2:46
  • 16 Body of Water 3:57

Disc 4

  • 1 Party of God 4:15
  • 2 North Sea Bubble (demo) 3:29
  • 3 Sexuality (demo) 3:53
  • 4 Just One Victory (alternative mix) 5:30
  • 5 Everywhere (alternative mix) 4:42
  • 6 Trust (demo) 5:42
  • 7 Bread & Circuses 4:28
  • 8 Cindy of a Thousand Lives (demo) 3:38
  • 9 The Few (demo) 3:50
  • 10 Revolution 1:50
  • 11 Tighten Up Your Wig 3:17
  • 12 MBH 2:07
  • 13 This Gulf Between Us 2:46
  • 14 Piccadilly Rambler 1:49

Disc 5

  • 1 From Red to Blue 3:20
  • 2 Upfield 4:06
  • 3 Everybody Loves You Babe 3:09
  • 4 Sugardaddy 4:37
  • 5 A Pict Song 4:55
  • 6 Brickbat 3:14
  • 7 The Space Race Is Over 4:26
  • 8 Northern Industrial Town 2:58
  • 9 The Fourteenth of February 3:26
  • 10 King James Version 3:21
  • 11 Goalhanger 3:46

Disc 6

  • 1 As Long as You Hold Me (demo) 3:25
  • 2 Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Litte Feet? (demo) 1:42
  • 3 Sugar Daddy (demo) 4:07
  • 4 The Space Race Is Over (demo) 5:09
  • 5 Goalhanger (demo) 2:42
  • 6 Upfield (demo) 5:03
  • 7 The Fourteenth of February (demo) 3:25
  • 8 Qualifications 1:48
  • 9 Never Had No One Ever 3:40
  • 10 Thatcherites 4:13
  • 11 All Fall Down 3:34

Disc 7

  • 1 St. Monday 3:03
  • 2 Jane Allen 3:58
  • 3 Distant Shore 2:30
  • 4 England, Half English 2:28
  • 5 NPWA 5:31
  • 6 Some Days I See the Point 4:59
  • 7 Baby Faroukh 3:05
  • 8 Take Down the Union Jack 3:19
  • 9 Another Kind of Judy 3:44
  • 10 He'll Go Down 3:21
  • 11 Dreadbelly 3:32
  • 12 Tears of My Tracks 3:53

Disc 8

  • 1 Billericay Dickie 4:45
  • 2 Mansion on the Hill 4:20
  • 3 Glad and Sorry 4:08
  • 4 He'll Go Down (demo) 3:30
  • 5 Yarra Song 3:32
  • 6 You Pulled the Carpet Out 2:38
  • 7 Mystery Shoes 3:08
  • 8 Tears of My Tracks (demo) 3:19
  • 9 Take Down the Union Jack (band version) 3:22
  • 10 England, Half English (7" remix) 3:55
  • 11 1 2 3 4 2:04
  • 12 Dry Bed (band version) 3:18
  • 13 Danny Rose 2:27
  • 14 She Smiled Sweetly 2:50

Disc 9

  • 1 You Woke Up My Neighbourhood
  • 2 The Saturday Boy
  • 3 The Marching Song of the Covert Battalions
  • 4 The World Turned Upside Down
  • 5 Dolphins
  • 6 Valentine's Day Is Over
  • 7 North Sea Bubble
  • 8 Body of Water
  • 9 Levi Stubbs' Tears
  • 10 A Lover Sings
  • 11 She's Got a New Spell Standout
  • 12 Cindy of a Thousand Lives
  • 13 Accident Waiting to Happen
  • 14 Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards Standout
  • 15 Tender Comrade
  • 16 Tank Park Salute
  • 17 The Warmest Room
  • 18 Sexuality
  • 19 A Lover Sings
  • 20 The Price I Pay Standout
  • 21 Debris
  • 22 Tank Park Salute
  • 23 All You Fascists
  • 24 Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards Standout
  • 25 A13, Trunk Road to the Sea

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata