Big Country - Twenty Five Live

Swashbuckling heroes return after a six-year hiatus

Big Country never got the accolades their music deserved. Blessed with one of the most creative rhythm sections in rock and a unique guitar sound, they threatened to dominate the rock world in the early 80s à la U2. Sadly, their trademark jangle allowed critics to see no further than lazy platitudes, and they were banished to rock’s hinterland.

This album sees Big Country return to the fray as a power trio, quite rightly feeling unable to replace their fallen leader, the late Stuart Adamson, but instead playing to the strengths of the surviving members. The artistic decision to carry on, although delayed by several years, is as brave as Joy Division and The Ruts when they lost a key member. Like these aforementioned contemporaries, Big Country intend to carry on but in a different form, recognising and celebrating their past but looking to the future. Messrs Butler, Brzezicki and Watson breeze through familiar anthems, as well as polishing up and displaying songs from the darker recesses of their back catalogue. There is also quality new material such as the single You Lift Me Up, which gives a tantalising clue as to where the future lies.

Track | BCRWWW 7

Reviewed by Mark Finnigan
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