- Present Arms
Infobox Album |
Name = Present Arms
Type =Album
Artist =UB40
Released = 29 May 1981
Recorded =
Genre =Reggae
Length = 47:09
Label =DEP International
Producer =Ray Falconer ,Bob Lamb ,UB40
Reviews =
Last album = "Signing Off " (1980)
This album = "Present Arms" (1981)
Next album = "Present Arms In Dub " (1981)"Present Arms" is the second album by
UB40 and was released in1981 . It reached #2 and spent 38 weeks on the UK album charts. An album of original songs, it spawned two top 20 hits in 'One In Ten' (#7) and 'Don't Let It Pass You By/Don't Slow Down' (#16).Like their first album "
Signing Off ", "Present Arms" contained many socially and politically charged lyrics, from the anti-militant title track to 'Sardonicus' which was aboutRisus sardonicus , the ironic smile ontetanus victims' faces. The UK Top Ten hit "One In Ten" was an attack onThatcherism . The album also touches on a subject very dear to UB40's heart: 'Lamb's Bread' and 'Don't Walk On The Grass' are written as part of the band's long standing campaign for thelegalization ofcannabis . Musically, the album continued in the heavy, reverb-drenched, mellifluous style of the debut.The title track had been used to open UB40 concerts from the mid 90's onwards, usually with the blasting horn section beginning the concert.
As with "
Signing Off ", "Present Arms" was critically acclaimed and commercially successful in the UK.Track listing
#"Present Arms"
#"Sardonicus"
#"Don't Let It Pass You By"
#"Wildcat"
#"One in Ten "
#"Don't Slow Down"
#"Silent Witness"
#"Lamb's Bread"With the original 1981 release was a 12" single (7" single in some countries) containing two instrumental tracks. These were added to the CD album.
#"Don't Walk On The Grass"
#"Dr X"External links
* [http://www.ub40.co.uk/albums7.php Official site]
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