323) Big Country - Steeltown

I always have to read something on the internet when writing these reviews so that I am semi accurate (then usually someone messages me when it goes live, usually within minutes that I have made a basic error) but I genuinely could not believe that Stuart Adamson has been dead twenty-four years, how is that possible? Sadly, Adamson took his own life a tragic loss for Adamson, his family, his band, and his fans.

I wouldn’t have classed myself as a fan to be honest as I enjoyed Big Country but the band had fallen out of favour in recent years leading up to his death (although if you get a minute listen to Republican Party Reptile off their fifth album No Place Like Home, that’s a song) but I was shocked to hear of the death of such a talented man. 

Adamson had left Skids after three (excellent) albums and formed Big Country with guitarist Bruce Watson, bassist Tony Butler and drummer Mark Brzezicki and the band found instant success with their debut top ten album The Crossing and a year later debuted at number one with this their second record, Steeltown.

The album opens strongly with a harder sound for Flame of the West, we are nearly a minute in before vocals appear and East of Eden has an instantly recognisable intro, no major hits from this record but this is a strong single.

Adamson and Watson’s guitars dominate, and Adamson’s lyrics focus more on the UK of the time, with the title track commentating on the decline of the Steelworks in Corby, I live in Motherwell where the town has never recovered from the closure of Ravenscraig. The single Where the Rose is Sown, wonderful guitar throughout, the song never lets up and focuses on men going to war, we were not long from the Falklands, I would guess Adamson was no fan of Thatcher so that only raises my opinion of him but focusing on these issues you can see why sales were not as strong in America.

It's not all to my taste, Come Back To Me is excellent but they lose me on the last minute as I find the arrangement awkward and Tall Ships Go there is too much going on to hear the actual song, however the band seem to be given more space on Rain Dance which is more down the Celtic route but I love the sweeping guitar.

The record ends on the third single lifted from the record, Just a Shadow, not a major hit but beautifully played and strong song to finish on.

Adamson was keen to move on from the “bagpipe” sound of the first record and offer a commentary on 80’s Britain, he succeeded. I hope someone told him.

7.5/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Where the Rose Is Sown