16. October 2026
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Media Review

Richard Thompson – Hippies, Thugs and Heroes

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Richard Thompson - Hippies, Thugs and Heroes

Richard Thompson - Hippies, Thugs and Heroes
4.9

Rating

 4.9/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Excellent storytelling
  • Superb range of songs, esp. in the first half of the album
  • Very fluent listen

I had featured British artist Richard Thompson in 2024 already. His album Ship To Shore lead to a 4.5 rating and thus easily made it into the Top Pick! zone. The more, I was curious about his 2026 album released on 16th October. Here is my review of Hippies, Thugs and Heroes.

 

 

Richard Thompson – About The Artist

Richard Thompson is an English folk–rock musician. He was born on 3rd April 1949 in London. Thompson became famous when he was a founding member, singer and guitar player of Fariground Convention in 1967. Five albums later, in 1971, he left the band and just had brief appearances thereafter. Additionally, he released music alongside his wife Linda. Thompson’s first solo album was Henry the Human Fly released in 1972. He is is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Hippies, Thugs and Heroes is his 21st studio album.

 

Richard Thompson – Hippies, Thugs and Heroes – Track by Track

The twelve track album lasts 51 minutes

1. Sorcerer’s Apprentice

The first two songs of the album have been released beforehand. At first, Hippies, Thugs and Heroes introduces you to the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. It does not take too long and Richard Thompson got me. The composition of folk, Medieval music and progressive rock elements leads to a stunning , harmonic sound on the instrumental side. And then, there is this magical, excellent storytelling, which leads to a 3:46 minute song full of imagination. How could an album have a better kick-off?

It dawns on me that you’re not quite well
You’re not quite compos mentis
I don’t want this job no more
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

2. Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking

Already the title of the second track tells you that the album hops from a world of fantasy to a very realistic scenario. Indeed, Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking also present a very different melody. The song feels darker, more dramatic and rocking, leaning towards blues rock. That’s just in line with the story of this one.

3. Pauper’s Grave

They found him by the side of the road under two feet of snow
Heaven was the last place he was expecting to go
Nothing in his pocket but a letter nearly falling apart
He read the thing so many times he must have learned it by heart

The next song is slow, melancholic and deals with the fate of a poor person – or Pauper, how the person is addressed in the song. The song leaves a lot of space to feel the situation of the dead protagonist. That’s just what is a perfect fit to the lyrics. It’s also amazing to see how Richard is using different genres – this song rather leans towards country music.

4. Unsung Hero

Ain’t a bit of paradox that Thompson sings about a Unsung Hero in the fourth one. The song starts with a very bass-heavy, accentuated style. The instruments do just what is absolutely needed – the song is clearly driven from the vocal side. Nonetheless, it does also allows some space for instrumental virtuosity. Thus, it feels like a mixture of darker funk and jazz elements to me. The narrative parts as well as the instrumental one work out n an impressing manner.

5. Make Believe You Don’t Know Me

Make Believe You Don’t Know Me – and I’ll make believe I don’t know you -these are the lyrics of the chorus of the fifth track on Hippies, Thugs and Heroes. Thompson is back at his “core genre” folk here and adds some rock sprinkles to the song. Again, the nice, traditional leverage of vocal and instrumental sections works beautifully.  And – as in any song so far – there are always some elements which catch you. No chance for skipping the track here.

6. She Burns It All

She Burns It All is a very dramatic song. The collaboration of Thompson and Zara Phillips, who is doing the harmony vocals is amazing and leads to an intense experience.

Crow feet toad skin
Steal a serpent’s kiss
Mandrake root or holy water
Heaven or abyss
When Love Comes to Call
She burns it all

7. Everybody’s Stealing

After this thrilling listen, Everybody’s Stealing feels to rip you out of your thoughts into a very different mental state. The easy, groovy country music style leads to a light and enjoyable listen. Everybody’s Stealing bits and pieces of me, Thompson states in the chorus. However, as the song is so much fun listening to, you still have to smile to it.

8. The Soul In Me

The Soul In Me is a rather straight folk track with an indie touch. Again, there is quite some melancholy. For example, Thompson states I’ll give up this way of living, play the game of love no more in one of the stanzas. Again, there is a very different style presented on this album. Needless to say that Richard Thompson feels being able to manage them all.

9. Pipe Dreams

Pipe Dreams
Some day will you care for me
Pipe Dreams
Is there some spark of feeling there for me
Pipe Dreams
Will my fantasy come true
Wishing
That some day I’m holding you

The Pipe Dreams present a nicely flowing, harmonic, but also a bit of sad and deep melody. The slow song again profits from Zara Phillips on the vocal side – the song almost feels like a duet. The very acoustic guitar-driven song leads to a very direct and personal atmosphere. Nice.

10. The Big Smoke

Farewell to wild seas
And wind that sends you sprawling
I’m bound away, counting the days
The Big Smoke Is calling

This song is rather heading back to Medieval folk vibes. For example the violin plays a very present role on the melodic side. The song also has a nice arrangement on the drum and percussion side. It gently meandering, but still has a theatrical and rhythmic touch. Another really nice listen.

11. Stringer

Apart from Pauper’s Grave, the Stringer is the only song of the album which exceeds a duration of five minutes. The melody feels repetitive – like in some other Hippies, Thugs and Heroes songs – but this leads to a lovely focus on the story of the song. Furthermore, Richard Thompson beautifully mirrors the emotions of this song with his voice. Guitar lovers will also enjoy the beautiful solo parts.

Stringer he’s a bad man, he murders for pleasure
Stringer he’s a bad man, a con man, a thief

12. Siren

Richard Thompson’s 2026 album closes with Siren. With 3:09 minutes, it is the shortest song on this record. Nonetheless, the fine track shows how much intensity and atmosphere you can create by just using the an acoustic guitar. If you still doubt – how dare you – that Richard Thompson is an excellent musician, this song will kill your thoughts, definitely.

 

Richard Thompson – Hippies, Thugs and Heroes – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Richard Thompson – Hippies, Thugs and Heroes – My View

Hippies, Thugs ad Heroes is an amazing album. It’s a bit sad that the first half of it is more versatile and presents more styles and references than the second one. However, any track in here shows that Richard Thompson is an excellent singer, songwriter and – especially – storyteller. I high recommend having a listen.

Favorite Song: Stringer

 

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