Fretplay.com Big Country CD reviews Big Country guitar tabs Big Country CD reviews Big Country tabs Why the Long Face


Big Country - Why the Long Face Audio CD

A fair review of the Big Country "Why the Long Face" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Big Country reviews here, or go back to the Big Country tabs.

Big Country Band: Big Country
Title: Why the Long Face
Rating:
Release Date: 1995-09-05
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: You Dreamer 2: Message of Love 3: I'm Not Ashamed 4: Sail into Nothing 5: Thunder & Lightning 6: Send You 7: One in a Million 8: God's Great Mistake 9: Wildland in My Heart 10: Take You to the Moon 11: Far from Me to You 12: Charlotte 13: Post Nuclear Talking Blues 14: Blue on a Green Planet 15: Vicious [*] 16: In a Big Country [Unplugged Version][*]

Another great album from a very looked-over band
This band was one of the GREAT bands. I just recently discovered Big Country and similar to other 80s acts (Crowded House,etc) they were NOT "one hit wonders" despite how jaded music reviewers, Billboard, Rolling Stone labled them. maybe someday, a future generation will discover them and get them inducted into the Rock and roll hall of fame; though we all know getting in there DOESNT make you a great band.

I love every song on this album. its got fast, slow, up and down dynamics; there isnt a bad one on here!! great Power Pop-Rock for those who appreciate good music, not the shi* that passes for music these days.
I was in 10th grade when this came out and was still in the throes of Grunge ;and never heard of this til 13 years later. better late then never. .


buy this CD!!!!!.


Why the Long Face - Why haven't you heard it?
I loved BC in the 80s, but even I let them drop off my radar around '89 or so. The fact that Big Country continued to make records long after the MTV fave 'In a Big Country' seems to surprise most listeners. Anyone that listened to BC way back when and got caught up by the anthemic sounds of their early work should definitely invest in 'Why the Long Face. ' The sound isn't quite as majestic as the first LPs, but it's harder, it's louder, and Stuart Adamson's lyrics are - dare I say it? - even better than the old stuff. Once I discovered the CD, it quickly became my favorite.


Unbridled energy, catchy hooks permeate "Why The Long Face"
. .

Scottish quartet Big Country are another group pigeon- holed with the stigma of being an 80's band, with a single shining moment in time. Of course the year was 1983, the album "The Crossing" and the singles "In A Big Country" and "Fields Of Fire".
From that initial siccess the Glasgow act was given but a small strand of rope from which to cling on to and any opprtunity to build a legion of followers from album to album was a small strand for fans hold onto.
"Why The Long Face" their 1995 release, is proof that the group have never stopped working on projects, and this record, like past Big Country offerings, is action- packed. Though a few a few tracks on "Long Face" are somewhat predictable, the emphasis on song and story by lead singer Stuart Adamson are the building blocks of the album.
The band are at their high- energy best with strong off- note vocal riffs, and a slight blues guitar touch on "Message of Love",a fuller dose of the latter and smooth hi- hat led work by drummer Mark Brzezcki on "I'm Not Ashamed", and a well- desigend E- Bow solo on the little song "Sail Into Nothing" .
The old bagpipe sound and rolling funk bass line propel "You Dreamer" and "Thunder And Lightning",with the latter expoliting Adamson's Scottish brogue creeping into the lyrics and Brzezcki's military inspired beat providing backdrop
"Send You" is a locomotive that builds up steam with a flawless guitar solo with the only drawback being that the song is too short.
Brezezcki shines again making tempo breaks seem routine with Butler aiding and abeiting,plus bright guitar work on Bruce Watson's part on "One In A Million",and more of the same on the albums most explosive track,"God's Great Mistake, which has about four infectious hooks squeezed into the body of the song. Other distinctions to bear include the hi- hat attacks in mid- stride by Brezezcki, muddy and sinister sounding guitar tones from Watson,and Adamsons matching lyrics including the lines, "Guns are the last thing we need. The latest in monsters a word from our sponsors, I wait for the weather map guy. Who dosen't offer much here but he's got a matching tie".
Add to the hi- lites the bright and punchy bass line and bluesy guitar mood of "Take You To The Moon",and there are enough distinctive traits out of the 14 tracks that make "Why The Long Face" a solid if not a perfect piece of work.
The strength of this album's better cuts cover up the basic wounds sufficiently enough for one to be able to stand upright,making it a note-worthy three star album.


A super effort!
While not quite as catchy as some of their other efforts, the straight up rock and roll value is much increased! Simply put, it rocks and why I did not hear this on the radio is confounding. This 1995 cd from 80S group Big Country is just wonderful. Standout songs include "You Dreamer", "Take You to the Moon", and "Blue on a Green planet. " There is even an acoustic version of "In a Big Country" and a remake of Lou Reed's "Vicious" which are both a lot of fun. As usual, Stuart's writing is superb and both hopeful and hopeless.


A Return to Form for Big Country
This was consistently their strongest effort since Steeltown and the Seer. Big Country released this impressive album in 1995. "You Dreamer", "Blue On a Green Planet", "Charlotte" and "One in a Million" are wonderful tunes and further testament to the late Stuart Adamson's songwriting abilities. Why this album was ignored at the time of its release is beyond me. A great cd from a great band. The songwriting and production on this cd are top notch. Production-wise, this one of the band's finest efforts. Not as lavish or as polished as their 80's albums, it has an refreshing honesty and passion to it, and the sound is still edgy and crisp. Stuart's death was a tragedy and a loss, his talent and voice will be missed.


You can see a complete list of all Big Country discography, or go back to the Big Country tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]