Harold Whit Williams is some talent, a well known poet, ex guitarist of Cotton Mather and then we have the delight that is Daily Worker. Whereas, musically, Robert Harrison took one direction, this fellow went into a world of inventiveness left field. A world where he could take any direction he pleased and he does.
He can be incredibly off the scale, but also at ease with the mainstream. Psych Pop is never far away. Daily Worker's last album in 2025, Field Holler, was really well received here and appeared in our Best Albums Of 2025. You can read our review here.
As well as the constant originality on show, people forget what an incredible guitarist he is. Riffs that can be Power Pop or Fripp-esque. There is always room for a great Guitar Pop song and here, The New Insincerity is one such example and adds a great Jangle.
Elsewhere, Western Wear even has hints of 60s Pop and the title track is even jaunty, it fairly bops along with a shuffle and even has a vocal that sounds early Bolan. All of this is a complete opposite of the lyrical content.
Pop Knock Offs is a real punt at song retreads and Daily Worker are the best example of not doing this. There is a sense here, lyrically, of someone aging looking at the younger generation with a big sigh, not with anger, but weariness. You won't hear this kind of quality elsewhere.
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl or as a download.
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