Liverpool-born musician/artist Mike Badger returns with his first studio album in almost a decade, titled Devils Ghosts and Firearms. It could easily fill a pop quiz. Not only about personal matters (he co-founded The La’s and exhibited recycled sculptures, to name a few), but even more so because of what’s happening musically.
The fourteen songs here are a versatile mix of vintage styles, such as rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country, pop, rockabilly, Americana, and folk punk (question: which influences can you name?). The lyrics have some interesting references, most prominently in How the Hell It Come to This, with plenty of name-dropping (question: which pioneers do you remember?). There are guest performances from members of Lightning Seeds, The Christians, Furious, The La’s, The Shakers, Nashville’s Barflies, Mojave Collective, Jazzophonists, and Seprona (question: who do you hear in which track?). Obviously, the answers are less important than the sound and stories, where there is a lot to enjoy and discover.
Devils Ghosts & Firearms—produced by Ray Badger—is out digitally and on vinyl LP through Generator Label / Nine by Nine Records.