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."
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