THIS SPORTING LIFE

As a poet first and foremost, lyricist second, and front-man third, it’s logical that this collection would present a clutch of charismatically uncouth, humorous and honest musings on life and British culture. When Abbott initially made the transition to performance poet, it presented a multitude of opportunities to be counted as a musical act. Just as the album title suggests, inspiration stemmed from British new wave cinema of the early 60s; ‘kitchen-sink’ dramas that were based in typically grim Northern towns, documenting the classic “angry young man” character and focusing on romance, social politics, coming-of-age and the general struggles of young working-class people. Abbott’s own story-telling styles re-imagine this important legacy, making for a tapestry depiction of the British every-man’s collective mentality.