Album review: BIG COUNTRY – The Journey

 

 

 

Cherry Red (Released 15th April)

This marks a major step in Big Country’s history as it is the first studio album not to feature the late Stuart Adamson and the recording debut of the Alarm’s Mike Peters (who wrote nearly all the lyrics on this album).

They have been touring with much success with Mike Peters fronting the band, although this is the test to see if they can carry the band’s over to a new era. There is also a line-up change with original bass player Tony Butler who retired last year and his replacement is ex-Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes, who joins the aforementioned Peters, original members Bruce Watson and Mark Brzezicki and Bruce’s son Jamie to complete the line-up.

Having Mike Peters singing and writing the lyrics will naturally lead to some Alarm comparisons, none more so than on the raucous opening song ‘In A Broken Promise Land’, which really does sound like Big Country and the Alarm jamming together.

The closing ‘Hail And Farewell’ is a slow burning anthem, again recalling the Alarm (by way of Runrig!) and I think this could well become a live favourite. Mike Peters has lost none of his passion and vocal power down the years and backed by the fine musicians that make up the rest of the band you know it is going to be an enjoyable album.

The classic Big Country guitar sound is all present and correct on the stirring ‘Another Country’, a song that allows Bruce Watson’s guitar playing a chance to shine. ‘The Journey’ has already been played live and released as a single and shows how the band have successfully kept the things that made the band a hit in the first place (strong athemic choruses, powerful guitars, strong and personal lyrics) and added in some newer sounds.

They have certainly won this fan over, although I love both Big Country and the Alarm. I don’t think at this stage in their career they will be bringing in many new fans but they have certainly produced an album that will please and keep their large, loyal fan base happy.

****

Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply