Steeltown

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. Formed by ex-Skids guitarist Stuart Adamson in 1981 with old friend Bruce Watson and, from 1982, rhythm section Tony Butler and Mark Brzezicki, Big Country proved to be a fascinating proposition. They added punk, new wave, and even new romantic elements to heavy, meaning-laden pop/rock with a passionate Celtic slant and fierce integrity. Using effects, Adamson and Watson's chiming guitars evoked traditional Scottish instruments, making their sound unique and highly influential. Within a year of their first release, many existing bands began to emulate the group's distinctive style, but nobody quite achieved it like Big Country. Written as a critique of the collapse of industry in the 80s, "Steeltown" drew inspiration from the East Midlands town of Corby, where many Scots migrated during the Great Depression. The album was recorded at ABBA's POLAR Studios in Stockholm and produced by Steve Lillywhite. It became the group's only UK No. 1, entering the chart at the very top, preceded by the Top 20 single, 'East Of Eden'.