The Album Review Club - Week #148 - (page 1953) - Sheer Heart Attack - Queen

[mancity2012_eamo]

Honestly, my very favourite Scottish band, completely unfashionable but great fun live + when my kids were young we used to go on driving holidays and they were enjoyed by all of us.
Deacon Blue :-)

In the last couple of years I’ve been revisiting a lot of Irish bands from the 80’s and 90’s and I had intended landing a few of them in here. You already got The Stunning.
I think that period saw a fantastic growth in belief in this country, that we could do anything as well as the rest of the world. Irish bands were varied and prolific at the time. It was a great period in the Irish music scene that I am finding out now, how I dismissed a lot of it or at least didn’t credit it enough at the time.

My next pick is going to be interesting. I honestly don’t know what reaction they’ll get, but that’s the point of this thread.

 

[RobMCFC]

Although I picked it I certainly wouldn’t be scoring it a ten for anything but nostalgia as it takes me to a time and place. That said, it’s better imo than ‘a muddle’.
I used to live a few doors away from Donnie Munro of Runrig. Our two youngest lads used to play together. Now that is a Scottish band I could never stomach for some reason.

there Is a conversation as to the best Scottish/Irish band I think :-)

Kevin McDermott Orchestra. Could never understand why they were not more popular. Their first single “Wheels of Wonder” is in my Top 10 favourites songs.

 

[bennyboy]

Surprisingly there are not many Scottish bands that I like.
Hated all that Runrig,Proclaimers,Simple Minds stuff.
Cocteau Twins,Jesus and Mary Chain,Altered Images and The Shop Assistants my favourites.

 

[stonerblue]

Gloriously original at the time and full of atmosphere. A whirling Mist of sounds never heard before, and the odd banger.
8.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

I remember my Mum loving Big Country and this album had plenty of plays in the early 80s! However, I've not heard this now probably for over 40 years so it has my 'fresh ears' listening to it.

Of course, the first track is the best on the album - it's superb. In a way, I was worried that it would be downhill after that, but I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It definitely has a 'celtic' sound to it - I wouldn't be able to say it sounded specifically Scottish, but it had a sound that definitely marks them out from others at the time.

I don't know if Fields Of Fire was also a single, but that's another great song too.

Overall, I found it quite uplifting and maybe something I'll try again in future. It's another example of this thread throwing up some gold from the past.

7/10

 

[RobMCFC]

The Crossing – Big Country

It’s interesting how quite a few reviewers have already mentioned The Alarm as a reference point. Whilst I’d agree that both bands are part of the, for want of a better term, Celtic rock-chest-thumpers, I’m not sure I agree with the similarities. Mike Peters, lead singer with The Alarm, wears his heart on his sleeve and belt out the songs with a passion and commitment that few vocalists can match.

On the evidence of this album, I don’t think the production of The Crossing does Big Country any favours – the sound of the first two tracks aligns them more with bands like Duran Duran, such is the mechanical/jazzed up nature of the sound. And what the hell is going on with the vocals here? It sounds like Stuart Adamson is standing at the back of the studio and his voice is picked up by the mics by accident.

Thankfully, this doesn’t seem to be a problem from track 3 onwards when his voice is higher in the mix. He’s got a decent voice and I did quite like the “guitars-as-bagpipes” approach, although has others have noted, it can get a bit wearying.

Much like last week’s album, I don’t think this one really gets going until track 5: “The Storm” has a nice slow build, Celtic flavourings from the acoustic rhythm, plus a fine vocal and is by far the best track here. I also enjoyed “Harvest Home”, “Lost Patrol” and “Close Action” and most of the 2nd side is enjoyable.

However, and this is just personal taste, they don’t measure up to the best in their field (funnily enough, The Alarm in my opinion), but it’s not a bad album. 6/10.

 

[OB1]

The Crossing – Big Country

It’s interesting how quite a few reviewers have already mentioned The Alarm as a reference point. Whilst I’d agree that both bands are part of the, for want of a better term, Celtic rock-chest-thumpers, I’m not sure I agree with the similarities. Mike Peters, lead singer with The Alarm, wears his heart on his sleeve and belt out the songs with a passion and commitment that few vocalists can match.

On the evidence of this album, I don’t think the production of The Crossing does Big Country any favours – the sound of the first two tracks aligns them more with bands like Duran Duran, such is the mechanical/jazzed up nature of the sound. And what the hell is going on with the vocals here? It sounds like Stuart Adamson is standing at the back of the studio and his voice is picked up by the mics by accident.

Thankfully, this doesn’t seem to be a problem from track 3 onwards when his voice is higher in the mix. He’s got a decent voice and I did quite like the “guitars-as-bagpipes” approach, although has others have noted, it can get a bit wearying.

Much like last week’s album, I don’t think this one really gets going until track 5: “The Storm” has a nice slow build, Celtic flavourings from the acoustic rhythm, plus a fine vocal and is by far the best track here. I also enjoyed “Harvest Home”, “Lost Patrol” and “Close Action” and most of the 2nd side is enjoyable.

However, and this is just personal taste, they don’t measure up to the best in their field (funnily enough, The Alarm in my opinion), but it’s not a bad album. 6/10.

By chance, I played an Alarm best of last week. I prefer Big Country but I do know their stuff better.

 

[RobMCFC]

By chance, I played an Alarm best of last week. I prefer Big Country but I do know their stuff better.

I've got a couple of Alarm albums and a best of. I suppose it's all about personal preference - I think Big Country's approach is more subtle, whereas The Alarm are closer to rock and roll with a shot of punk.

Currently listening to The Alarm's debut album (only heard the tracks on the compilation I have) and there's some outstanding stuff on there.

 

[bennyboy]

I've got a couple of Alarm albums and a best of. I suppose it's all about personal preference - I think Big Country's approach is more subtle, whereas The Alarm are closer to rock and roll with a shot of punk.

Currently listening to The Alarm's debut album (only heard the tracks on the compilation I have) and there's some outstanding stuff on there.

I was more of a Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny man myself.
Loved the guitars and saxophone on their records.

 

[BimboBob]

I was more of a Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny man myself.
Loved the guitars and saxophone on their records.

With you on Spear of Destiny.