Customer Reviews

Seer

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like others have said, this is the album that introduced me to Big Country and the sheer wonderment of the "bagpipes guitar" sound. I first heard the single Look Away on the radio way back in '86 as a high school junior and I was hooked immediately.
Stuart Adamson made his guitar produce sounds that nobody has ever matched and his bandmates accompanying him on bass, rhythm guitar and drums helped Big Country make wonderful music. The melodies lift you up and carry you over lochs and glens, mountains and valleys, stirring emotions and making you identify with the people and situations in the songs.
My favorite songs on this album are the rollicking Look Away, the title track with its mystical celtic rhythm and ghostly harmonies by Kate Bush, The Teacher with its driving road-song feel, the mournful ballad Hold the Heart and the epic guitar-thrashing, drum-pounding final track, The Sailor.
The band had some great music videos that went with the singles from this album.

The fact that so many people consider Big Country to be a 'one hit wonder' is perhaps one of the biggest mysteries of the universe. What I also find rather odd is that 'In A Big Country' is considered by many to be the best of their work. All I have to say about anyone who thinks this is that 'In A Big Country' is likely the only song by Big Country that they have heard.

Now although I am in my mid-30's, it wasn't until the early 90s that a friend of mine introduced me to Big Country. And since then, it has been one of my perennial favorites. I would even go so far as to say that it is perhaps the most original music I have ever heard (and when it comes to music, originality is pretty non-existant). I currently own Steeltown, The Crossing, and The Seer. And although I am a big fan of all of these CDs, The Seer is a particular favorite of mine. Now I have to admit that when it comes to music, I often cannot really pinpoint what it is about a given song or album that appeals to me, this one just flat-out does the job. So go out and buy it. And see for yourself why I consider Big Country to be perhaps the most under-rated band of all time.

Big Country's third studio album is a must-have for every fan of good, down-to-earth, well-played guitar music. By far my favorite song on it is "Eiledon" which brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. After all these years, and even though I did see them live twice after that, I am still not over the fact that they had to cancel their tour for this album (at least the German leg) because one of the members had fallen ill - but I still have the tour poster! All of these songs with their distinctive Big Country "bagpipe guitar" sound and their beautiful, evocative lyrics are still as good as they were then, and all of them will have you singing along, snapping your fingers, tapping your feet - you will not be able to sit still listening to it. Get it, it's wonderful - thank you, Stuart, you are sorely missed.

I must admit that I had the tape for years and still play it to death. This is one of the best offerings that Big Country have done. It is one of my prized possesions. The songs are pure rock and roll only Big Country know how to play. My favourites on the album are too many to name but 99% of them will keep you tapping your feet for hours and songs will stay in your head. This is a must and their 3rd studio album (not counting the Wonderland EP) that they release. Get it you won't be disappointed.

This is a great CD that retains more of the folksy sound of "The Crossing" that was lost on later releases. If you like their early sound, you'll love this CD.

For the life of me, I can't remember how I was introduced to Big Country back in the late 80's, but I'm certainly glad I was. "The Seer" was the first album from this group that I ever listened to, and I immediately loved their sound. It's British, yes, but that adds a great new flavor for those of us who have gotten tired of the "same ol' same ol'" from most American bands. This music is driving, folksy, mystical, adventurous, and good old fashioned rock and roll, all wrapped up in one ear-pleasing package.

I also own several other tapes and CDs from Big Country, such as Steeltown, The Crossing, and Buffalo Skinners, but none of them have grabbed me on a visceral level the way The Seer has. I still have the original cassette that I bought over a decade ago, and I've pretty well worn it out with countless playings. If you've never tried these guys, I urge you to do so, and this is the best album to start with.

After the darkness and social commentary of their second album, `Steel Town', the Bigs returned in 1986 with a set full of soaring majestic romance, Boys Own adventure, soldiers, witches, heroes and tales of the high seas - all polished up with the pop sensibilities that were evident on their 1983 debut, `The Crossing'.

Dumping their two album partnership with Steve Lillywhite for Robin Millar, who had produced the glossy dance pop beats of Sade, Everything but the Girl and Fine Young Cannibals, this third outing takes on a more immediate sound than its predecessors with a slick, pop rock sheen. As a result, `The Seer' is a much brasher, more commercially minded work than they were.

As an overall set, the songs are also far more immediately accessible than on the first two albums and more determinedly upbeat in approach. And Adamson's poetic lyrics are sumptuous. The opening single, `Look Away' is a rollicking rock track about a man on the run after committing a murder, desperately trying to retain the trust of his woman and convince her to ignore the stories she will hear about him. There is Wild West undertone to this that finds its perfect sonic partner in the third track, `The Teacher', about a young man's first love. In between, Kate Bush provides haunting backing vocals to the title track, an epic Celtic journey through the visions of rape and pillage foretold by a Seer who "washed her hair among the stones". On the slower side, `Eiledon' is an ode to a beautiful land ("I may walk in cities where the wolf once had his fill") and `Hold the Heart', a ballad of a man hoping his lover will come back to him ("I would lie and curse the day, And visit places where we lay alone, And find them turned to stone").Then things pick up again with the grand rocking adventure of `Remembrance Day', `The Red Fox' and the breathtaking album closer, `The Sailor'. The only real low points are provided by `I Walk the Hill' and `One Great Thing', the two trademark bagpipe guitar tracks that, third album out, sound distinctly stale and clichéd.

Musicianship by the band is stirling, as always, and Stuart Adamson's voice would never again sound quite as full-throatedly lush as it does on this recording. That said, the sheer effervescence of its grand storytelling tends to make it feel ever so slightly lacking in weight.

If there was any justice in the world, Big Country would have been bigger then U2.

This album is proof of that. Haunting melodies, beautiful guitars, nearly perfect.

My only complaint is that this pressing didn't split at least one of the songs in the right place. But that doesn't take away from the beauty of this record.

Every song is flawless except song of the south and giant, which aren't't too hot and the remixes, which are of the typical remix crap from the late 80's. The original song put in front of inane dance beats.

My favorites are Remembrance Day, Eiledon, and Red Fox.

I'm relatively new to BC's music, so here are some quick thoughts from a newer, younger fan. BC's music tends to be infectiously catchy and does an excellent job of conveying emotion while still having 80's pop sensibilities. Think of only the best U2 songs and you're in the ballpark. This album seems more similar to their fantastic debut, 'The Crossing', than the sophomore effort, 'Steeltown'. Thus, fans of TC will likely enjoy this if you never got to hear it, or if you were a lil' disappointed in the gloomier aura of 'Steeltown'. Highly recommended for those who want 80's music with real heart and soul. The only complaint i can register with this album is that the bonus tracks aren't all that great- the two remixes aren't as good as the originals, which are already on this album. This CD can also be found cheaper than the $20 Amazon price (I've seen Tower Records carry it for $15)

This record has a much more pop flavor to it than The Crossing and Steeltown but it still has powerfull guitar work and lyrical integrity. I never particularly cared for The Teacher but I really enjoyed the rest of the record. The Seer is a particularly compelling song enhanced by Kate Bush on backing vocals. There are several songs that are stunning examples of the musical brilliance and passion of Stuart Adamson. The Seer is not as edgey as The Crossing but is also not as moody as Steeltown. Overall a very good album.