Since 1990’s hugely successful Through A Big Country compilation, fans of the Scottish rockers may have been slightly bewildered by the constant reissuing and repackaging of their notable releases. Still, 2011 sees the band’s 30th anniversary looming as a re-formed line-up, augmented with Mike Peters of The Alarm, hit the road.
Fields Of Fire differs from past collections in that it draws from the band’s entire catalogue, including Driving To Damascus, the final album before lead singer Stuart Adamson’s tragic and untimely death. Typically, for bands of Big Country’s era, their earlier material fares best when assessed today. Cuts from 1983’s The Crossing still stand up, sounding like the Scottish answer to the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen. Standalone single Wonderland, from the same year, is another highlight; but the late 80s material sags as the band seemed to chase American success, losing track of their indie roots – though 1986’s The Seer boasts a welcome appearance from Kate Bush on backing vocals.
A comprehensive collection, Fields Of Fire may scratch a nostalgic itch for many, but newcomers may not be easily impressed.
