- Audio CD (29 April 2008)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: Enhanced
- Label: Active Distribution Ltd
- ASIN: B00009KT79
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 196,742 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After the kind of mainstream success that saw them bracketed alongside U2 and Simple Minds, the arrival of 1988's Peace in our Time and 1991's No Place Like Home saw Big Country move away from the patented 'bagpipe' sound that served them so well on their first three classic albums, The Crossing, Steeltown and The Seer. Sadly it would prove to be their downfall, both commercially and critically, with many fans left disenchanted by Peter Wolf's misguided AOR polish of PIOT and the brave but unfocused fusion of styles that made up NPLH. Now, with both albums cunningly brought together by Track Records (the collage of the albums' artwork on this release is a class above other carelessly-produced value double-packs you find for other artists, and the booklet features notes from bassist Tony Butler and guitarist Bruce Watson), and with the benefit of hindsight, the albums deserve a reappraisal.
By far the strongest offering is Peace In Our Time, and in spite of the grievances over production issues, voiced by Tony Butler himself in his notes, the songs are of an incredibly high standard throughout. 'Everything I Need' is one of Stuart Adamson's most elegant ballads, while 'In My Place', of a similar mood, is now, like so many other Big Country tacks, given extra meaning and made all the more affecting in light of Adamson's untimely and tragic death. Thematically the album has a powerful resonance with the current social climate: 'I Could Be Happy Here', 'River of Hope' and the title track seem even more apposite now than when they were written eighteen years ago.
The disc is complemented by a selection of bonus tracks arguably as satisfying as the album proper. Longest Day and When The Drum Beats carry that classic anthemic weight and energy that many felt PIOT itself should have, and overall this remastered version of the album is more than worthy of four stars on its own.
No Place Like Home is Big Country's most difficult album. Recorded during troubled times for the band, fraught with record label problems and the departure of drummer Mark Brzezicki (who still appears on the album in the role of session drummer), the album is an unwitting document of this period of uncertainty and is essentially a messy affair that suffers from the turmoil rather than thrives on it. The production offers the songs little assistance either, sounding muddy and lacking definition - made all the more obvious when two of the album's strongest tracks, 'We're Not in Kansas' and 'Ships', were later re-recorded with vastly superior results for the follow-up album, The Buffalo Skinners. The remaining tracks would have benefited hugely from the same treatment, but as it stands it's a highly frustrating album with only glimpses of the quality the band still possessed.
It's far from blanket negativity, though. Regardless of their beefed up appearances elsewhere, 'We're Not In Kansas' and 'Ships' are two of the band's finest moments under any guise. Two further strong tracks (and the album's two singles), 'Republican Party Reptile' and 'Beautiful People' appear at the opposite ends of Adamson's songwriting scale, respectively serving up a well-observed disdain the former Skids man had of certain kinds of people and his celebration of other kinds.
Taken as a whole, this is a thoroughly recommended purchase for those who wish to delve deeper into Big Country's back catalogue, and with both albums otherwise currently deleted, it's also the best way for old fans to reacquaint themselves with (and upgrade their old vinyl copies of) either album from a sadly undervalued band today.
By far the strongest offering is Peace In Our Time, and in spite of the grievances over production issues, voiced by Tony Butler himself in his notes, the songs are of an incredibly high standard throughout. 'Everything I Need' is one of Stuart Adamson's most elegant ballads, while 'In My Place', of a similar mood, is now, like so many other Big Country tacks, given extra meaning and made all the more affecting in light of Adamson's untimely and tragic death. Thematically the album has a powerful resonance with the current social climate: 'I Could Be Happy Here', 'River of Hope' and the title track seem even more apposite now than when they were written eighteen years ago.
The disc is complemented by a selection of bonus tracks arguably as satisfying as the album proper. Longest Day and When The Drum Beats carry that classic anthemic weight and energy that many felt PIOT itself should have, and overall this remastered version of the album is more than worthy of four stars on its own.
No Place Like Home is Big Country's most difficult album. Recorded during troubled times for the band, fraught with record label problems and the departure of drummer Mark Brzezicki (who still appears on the album in the role of session drummer), the album is an unwitting document of this period of uncertainty and is essentially a messy affair that suffers from the turmoil rather than thrives on it. The production offers the songs little assistance either, sounding muddy and lacking definition - made all the more obvious when two of the album's strongest tracks, 'We're Not in Kansas' and 'Ships', were later re-recorded with vastly superior results for the follow-up album, The Buffalo Skinners. The remaining tracks would have benefited hugely from the same treatment, but as it stands it's a highly frustrating album with only glimpses of the quality the band still possessed.
It's far from blanket negativity, though. Regardless of their beefed up appearances elsewhere, 'We're Not In Kansas' and 'Ships' are two of the band's finest moments under any guise. Two further strong tracks (and the album's two singles), 'Republican Party Reptile' and 'Beautiful People' appear at the opposite ends of Adamson's songwriting scale, respectively serving up a well-observed disdain the former Skids man had of certain kinds of people and his celebration of other kinds.
Taken as a whole, this is a thoroughly recommended purchase for those who wish to delve deeper into Big Country's back catalogue, and with both albums otherwise currently deleted, it's also the best way for old fans to reacquaint themselves with (and upgrade their old vinyl copies of) either album from a sadly undervalued band today.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a two CD package with two of Big Country's albums, Peace In Our Time (released 1988) and No Place Like Home (released 1991). This version has several bonus tracks for PIOT which probably makes this more worth buying than the original. The artwork on the cover cleverly merges elements of the artwork from the original two albums.
I have already reviewed Peace In Our Time elsewhere, but to recap:
PEACE IN OUR TIME
This has a reputation of being one of Big Country's weakest albums, it was apparently not well recieved back in 1988 when it was released. So I came to this with low expectations.
How pleasantly surprised I was to discover that this was excellent, at least as good as BC's previous three albums.
The highlights of this album in my view are the anthemic rock tracks 'King of Emotion' (the opening track) 'River of Hope' and the catchy 'Time For Leaving'. This also has two beautiful ballads, the atmospheric 'Everything I Need' and the heartfelt and genuinely moving 'In This Place', which in my view should be considered one of Big Country's finest songs.
If the negative publicity has put you off this album, take no notice, this well worth listening to.
This does have a different sound to BC's other albums, but that does not detract from the excellent songs and songwriting.
This version has several bonus tracks which are definately worth having, the best being the anthemic rocker 'When The Drum Beats' another millitary/political themed offering that BC did so well, they should probably have put this on the album proper.
On it's own I would give this album five stars.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
This album is certainly a major break in musical style for BC and set the template for their later albums of the 1990s. They largely abandoned their trademark sound for this album and adopted a more mainstream generic American rock style and included some country influences. I suppose this was a brave but inevitable develpoment as big drums and bagpipe guitars had limitations as a musical style.
Firstly this is probably a weaker album overall than PIOT, but it does have it's highlights. Stuart Adamson's trademark intelligent perceptive lyrics remain intact on tracks like 'We're Not In Kansas', 'Republican Party Reptile' and 'Beautiful People'. And this does have some catchy songs like 'Leap Of Faith' and 'Into The Fire' which I found myself humming.
The rest of the album though consists of rather bland and unmemorable MOR tracks.
This album with its change of style may be a bit of a shock for someone who has only heard Big Country from their early/mid 80s heyday.
On its own I would give this album 3.5 stars.
Overall, this is a good package for anyone who wants to collect Big Country's back catalogue so I would recommend it.
I have already reviewed Peace In Our Time elsewhere, but to recap:
PEACE IN OUR TIME
This has a reputation of being one of Big Country's weakest albums, it was apparently not well recieved back in 1988 when it was released. So I came to this with low expectations.
How pleasantly surprised I was to discover that this was excellent, at least as good as BC's previous three albums.
The highlights of this album in my view are the anthemic rock tracks 'King of Emotion' (the opening track) 'River of Hope' and the catchy 'Time For Leaving'. This also has two beautiful ballads, the atmospheric 'Everything I Need' and the heartfelt and genuinely moving 'In This Place', which in my view should be considered one of Big Country's finest songs.
If the negative publicity has put you off this album, take no notice, this well worth listening to.
This does have a different sound to BC's other albums, but that does not detract from the excellent songs and songwriting.
This version has several bonus tracks which are definately worth having, the best being the anthemic rocker 'When The Drum Beats' another millitary/political themed offering that BC did so well, they should probably have put this on the album proper.
On it's own I would give this album five stars.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
This album is certainly a major break in musical style for BC and set the template for their later albums of the 1990s. They largely abandoned their trademark sound for this album and adopted a more mainstream generic American rock style and included some country influences. I suppose this was a brave but inevitable develpoment as big drums and bagpipe guitars had limitations as a musical style.
Firstly this is probably a weaker album overall than PIOT, but it does have it's highlights. Stuart Adamson's trademark intelligent perceptive lyrics remain intact on tracks like 'We're Not In Kansas', 'Republican Party Reptile' and 'Beautiful People'. And this does have some catchy songs like 'Leap Of Faith' and 'Into The Fire' which I found myself humming.
The rest of the album though consists of rather bland and unmemorable MOR tracks.
This album with its change of style may be a bit of a shock for someone who has only heard Big Country from their early/mid 80s heyday.
On its own I would give this album 3.5 stars.
Overall, this is a good package for anyone who wants to collect Big Country's back catalogue so I would recommend it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Two Discs -- No Risks
25 April 2005
Format:Audio CD
I just finished listening to this set and was reminded that, even though No Place Like Home (NPLH) was recorded during a strange period in Big Country's history, Stuart Adamson's songs reflect a growing maturity in terms of lyrics (subject matter), music (varying styles), and, as far as the way the band handles Adamson's songs, arrangements (not so electric guitar heavy).
"We're Not in Kansas," which is also featured on The Buffalo Skinners CD, released shortly after NPLH, is an indictment (a rough one using extremely effective Wizard of Oz imagery) of the shallowness and greed of the American way of life. The sing-songy "Beautiful People," on the other hand, is a very upbeat celebration of diversity. When I first heard it, I thought it was satirical. Adamson's songs, at least his earlier songs, were several shades of deep dark, but this song suggests a slightly different attitude towards those with whom he comes into contact.
My favorite song on the CD, "Leap of Faith," makes me think of a cool Motown song, but one that's been mixed up with a Springsteenesque redemption theme. It's such a good song that alone, it's truly worth the price of the CD. The fact that the triumphant "Leap of Faith" is surrounded by the sad "Dynamite Lady," the scathing "Republican Party Reptile," the mournful "Ships" (a full band version of "Ships" can be heard on The Buffalo Skinners CD, which I mentioned earlier), the pleading "Heart of the World," and so many winners makes it a bona fide classic, albeit one that, unfortunately, most probably will never hear.
Peace in Our Time (PIOT) is not a favorite Big Country CD of mine. However, having said that, there are some songs that, in my opinion, rank amongst their finest. The lead-off track, "King of Emotion," is one of those infectious anthems, but the anthemic quality is not one that tries to provoke people to get out in the streets. It's one that tries to provoke whomever's listening to seek love within him/herself. It's rare that an anthem can do that (separate the personal from the collective), but "King of Emotion" somehow does it and succeeds. The title track is also an anthem, but one in the more traditional sense. It exhorts whomever's in power to hand peace over -- "Give us peace in our time/While I have a life to live/Then I have no life to give." Why give one's life over in a war and be a dead hero? While it may be absolutely necessary to risk one's life, depending on the situation, the guy singing this song doesn't want to die on a battlefield along with somebody he himself might've killed that he didn't even know. This guy wants to live, grow, develop, and affect people. Why not let him? Give him peace in his time!
Lastly, my favorite song on PIOT is the wonderful, rejuvenating "River of Hope." Even though it's somewhat bleak in the sense that whilst the river of hope will be found, somebody's inevitably going to screw it up for everyone, it still uniquivocally states that the river exists, and that's the important thing. There's always hope, and Mark Brzezicki's (drums) and Tony Butler's (bass guitar) bull's eye rhythm pulsates and percolates like such a river would. The melody and the imagery are perfect together, and every time I hear it, I want to dance -- preferably near the river so I can jump in at some point.
Stuart Adamson's and Bruce Watson's guitar interplay is something of which all guitarists should take note. Butler and Brzezicki give new meaning to the word "bottom" (musically speaking, it's a good meaning -- the best). As a band, these guys were unstoppable. Their music came from a collective heart and mind that never lost faith in the human potential for greatness, whatever the circumstance. I'm angry with Adamson for dying, but I will also be eternally grateful that he wrote the songs he did. They will not die. As one contemporary of Adamson aptly put it, "There will always be a place in our hearts for Big Country."
"We're Not in Kansas," which is also featured on The Buffalo Skinners CD, released shortly after NPLH, is an indictment (a rough one using extremely effective Wizard of Oz imagery) of the shallowness and greed of the American way of life. The sing-songy "Beautiful People," on the other hand, is a very upbeat celebration of diversity. When I first heard it, I thought it was satirical. Adamson's songs, at least his earlier songs, were several shades of deep dark, but this song suggests a slightly different attitude towards those with whom he comes into contact.
My favorite song on the CD, "Leap of Faith," makes me think of a cool Motown song, but one that's been mixed up with a Springsteenesque redemption theme. It's such a good song that alone, it's truly worth the price of the CD. The fact that the triumphant "Leap of Faith" is surrounded by the sad "Dynamite Lady," the scathing "Republican Party Reptile," the mournful "Ships" (a full band version of "Ships" can be heard on The Buffalo Skinners CD, which I mentioned earlier), the pleading "Heart of the World," and so many winners makes it a bona fide classic, albeit one that, unfortunately, most probably will never hear.
Peace in Our Time (PIOT) is not a favorite Big Country CD of mine. However, having said that, there are some songs that, in my opinion, rank amongst their finest. The lead-off track, "King of Emotion," is one of those infectious anthems, but the anthemic quality is not one that tries to provoke people to get out in the streets. It's one that tries to provoke whomever's listening to seek love within him/herself. It's rare that an anthem can do that (separate the personal from the collective), but "King of Emotion" somehow does it and succeeds. The title track is also an anthem, but one in the more traditional sense. It exhorts whomever's in power to hand peace over -- "Give us peace in our time/While I have a life to live/Then I have no life to give." Why give one's life over in a war and be a dead hero? While it may be absolutely necessary to risk one's life, depending on the situation, the guy singing this song doesn't want to die on a battlefield along with somebody he himself might've killed that he didn't even know. This guy wants to live, grow, develop, and affect people. Why not let him? Give him peace in his time!
Lastly, my favorite song on PIOT is the wonderful, rejuvenating "River of Hope." Even though it's somewhat bleak in the sense that whilst the river of hope will be found, somebody's inevitably going to screw it up for everyone, it still uniquivocally states that the river exists, and that's the important thing. There's always hope, and Mark Brzezicki's (drums) and Tony Butler's (bass guitar) bull's eye rhythm pulsates and percolates like such a river would. The melody and the imagery are perfect together, and every time I hear it, I want to dance -- preferably near the river so I can jump in at some point.
Stuart Adamson's and Bruce Watson's guitar interplay is something of which all guitarists should take note. Butler and Brzezicki give new meaning to the word "bottom" (musically speaking, it's a good meaning -- the best). As a band, these guys were unstoppable. Their music came from a collective heart and mind that never lost faith in the human potential for greatness, whatever the circumstance. I'm angry with Adamson for dying, but I will also be eternally grateful that he wrote the songs he did. They will not die. As one contemporary of Adamson aptly put it, "There will always be a place in our hearts for Big Country."
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