Search - Big Country :: Undercover

A Great and Versatile Effort from a Great and Versatile Band

Benedict J. Likens | Whiting, IN USA | 05/22/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I hadn't heard Alice Cooper's "Teenage Lament" in a long time, so when I gave this CD its first spin and that song came on, I was very surprised to find how much I'd missed it. Now, I listen to it endlessly. Truth be told, since I've heard and grown accustomed to Big Country's version, I don't even care to hear Cooper's version anymore.When this disc is great, it's phenomenal. Their version of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" blew me away and Bowie's "Cracked Actor" also received stellar treatment. Hardcore fans might've already heard the live version of Smokey Robinson's "Tracks of My Tears" and Roxy Music's "Prairie Rose" from earlier releases. It's great to finally hear that stuff on a well mastered CD.Let's see, Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well," Blue Oyser Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper," the traditional "Killiecrankie," there are so many inspired songs contained on this CD, it's truly difficult to stop listening. Stuart Adamson's voice adapts to every song he sings, and the band as a whole, with its consistent and inspired playing, rocks as hard as it want to.I don't want to forget bassist Tony Butler. Hats off to him for a great lead vocal on Canned Heat's "On the Road Again." Again, the band behind him rocks hard from the first note. Big Country breathed new life into this old warhorse when they recorded back in the early '90's.Keep those CDs coming, fellas. By the way, when are you guys going to get back together? Let me be the first to know -- and tour America!"

Better Than The Originals

Grant Hussey | Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Australia | 08/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is well worth a look at. Even though I have heard the originals previously, I think that Stuart Adamson does a better job than the original singers. Alice Cooper should take some lessons from Adamson who does a better version with, "I'm Eighteen", and "Teenage Lament". The Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper" and Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" are done with perfection. My wife thinks Lou Reed's "Vicious" is better here than on his album. This album is a great collection of the greats of years gone. A must for anyone that likes great rock and roll."

If you like Big Country, you gotta have this!!

Grant Hussey | 02/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh my goodness I just listened to this cd for the first time and it is so good! Amazing. What a good multitalented band wow! This remake albumn contains a diverse blend of songs with 1 thing in common; Big Country rocking out to the the max! I'm Eighteen by Alice Cooper is a standout as is Don't Fear the Reaper (which is kinda creepy all things considered.) The guitar in Reaper is worth the cost of the cd alone. I tell no lies. I was also most impressed by Paranoid where Stuart does a mean Ozzy. Who would have thunk it? No joke that you may not need to listen to the originals of these songs any further. If you are on the fence about this CD, get off because it is all good."