Big Country meets the alarm

Now Stuart Adamson has been dead more than a decade, as are his band "Big Country" a new sign of life. A few years ago there was even a Revival- tour as a trio of survivors followed live album, then a half-baked EP under the "BBW" - tape label. How does the rest of band filling the shoes of the dead?

An individual is not enough apparently advocated therefore two newcomers can be reported: The second guitar takes Bruce Watson's son Jamie, who was previously active as acoustic guitar duo with him. The microphone goes to Mike Peters of "The Alarm", a Welshman. First found gigs and tours with accompanying live recordings in the new line-place, now is the first studio album since 1999 Big Country- ago. Shortly before the studio recordings and Tony Butler left the band and was replaced by Derek Forbes of Simple Minds. The songwriting the band has split; in nine of the twelve songs Butler was involved.

First things first: The album is fun and can be achieved by listening to very well. The Scottish-sounding mix of optimism, pathos and melancholy is as ever given, and repeatedly flash of bagpipes guitar sound evokes pleasant feelings of nostalgia. The album proves worthy of the name.

Second, Mike Peters tried not Adamson- to be spare, but brings his own style of singing, after all, he is already more than thirty years in business. This makes the overall result sounds in parts strongly of its common band "The Alarm". Given that Adamson is anyway irreplaceable and will always be missed, that's probably the only way. Peters would not necessarily have to take over from his older song "Terms and Conditions" the vocal melody to "Hurt".

Despite all the pluses too effusive eulogies were exaggerated: The album holds a direct comparison with the five-star albums "Crossing", "Steel Town", "Seer" and "Buffalo Skinners" not quite stand; But that was not to be expected. The new pieces are all very neat, but this classic does not equal; Adamson just had an extremely distinctive songwriting, which can be copied only with difficulty. Although the rock is unchanged garnished with folk influences, the band professionally, the production quality and the guitar sound distinctive, but write and play the Watsons a solid rock craftsmen not as compelling enthralling guitar runs and solos as the unique artist Adamson, everything seems a tiny tick schematic. Even Tony Butler lacks backing vocals and is sorely missed. This is the explosive dynamic drumming of Mark Brzezicki to usual excellent standard. Dedicated to the album is of course Stuart; but would happy about guest appearances of his children Callum and Kirsten, who have embarked with Ahab and the Gillyflowers their own musical paths.

For the old fans of Big Country and the friends of "The Alarm", the album is of course a must buy: Hymnische rock songs with Highland flair you get elsewhere hardly offered. Who can not do anything with Mike Peters, of course, must stay away - he's not a second and Stuart will also be none at all. In the overall assessment, I think that the original band has delivered with "Peace in our Time" and "No Place Like Home" weaker albums as the present here. I'll give you a solid four stars; I am happy and look forward to the upcoming tour. As Anspieltipps I call the single "Another Country" and the title track "The Journey". Even "Winter Fire" I really like.