Search - Big Wreck :: In Loving Memory of

Farewell old friends... A season ends.

Bagheera | BC, Canada | 12/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The fact that I bought the album after hearing That Song just once on the radio two years ago (about six years after its release in 1997) and still love every word of it today is perhaps a testament to how good it must be and how popular Big Wreck still is.



It is without a doubt my favourite CD - no question, no competition. When asked who my favourite band is, I don't hesitate to say Big Wreck; I don't even have to think about it. There is not a single song involving Ian Thornley that I have not liked, and that includes the music from his new band Thornley. This album, however, shines just a little brighter than the others. To me, it's a varied musical landscape. It has a little bit of everything mixed in to give it that special flair that, in my opinion, puts it at a level above... well, pretty much everything else, but at the same time it's not so "great" that it becomes untouchable.



With a solid, infectious sound and strangely moving vocals, this is music for the music lovers: those who want to either sing along to something outstanding or tune out the world for a while and just be whatever feels good. Each song takes you to a different place, and it's easy to just get lost in the sound - it tends to sweep you away without your even noticing. Having heard it so many times and memorizing all the small details, I often drift off in daydreams when I listen to it, and I'm always surprised to come back to reality at the end of Overemphasizing and realize that I just did nothing but breathe and listen for a little over an hour. Whether it gets you dancing, whistling, or just sitting around staring at nothing, this music affects you. Those who aren't looking for anything too complex or difficult to sink into, but who also want more substance than your average canned rock: you've come to the perfect place.



I've read a few reviews by people who say they weren't automatic fans, but to give the music a chance anyway. They couldn't be more right. Not every Big Wreck or Thornley song was a favourite of mine straight away; this was especially true of The Pleasure And The Greed album. I didn't immediately love In Loving Memory Of... as a whole, but something hooked me and kept me coming back, and the songs grew on me the more I listened to them. They never seem to get old - only better.



Big Wreck has split up, but I'm strangely not as heartbroken as I could be. Ian Thornley has gone on with his new band Thornley, which is also a favourite of mine, and I know there will be even more to come of his grungy, passionate singing. Whether he's bellowing or whispering, he has a range and vocal quality that makes me wish I had taken lessons as a kid so I could sing along without sounding like a moron in comparison. It was the voice of Big Wreck that drew me to them in the first place, and for me there's just no substitute, so I have no other choice but to follow along and hear what else he creates. This is an epic album though, and no matter what he does with the rest of his career (which will undoubtedly be great anyway), the sound of Ian's voice alone will always keep me coming back to listen to Big Wreck.



To sum up: In Loving Memory Of... is the single best musical purchase I've ever made. If it doesn't grab you by the hair and shake you, even a little bit, then you just weren't listening."

Bands Like These Guys Don't Come Along Too Often

Mike | Lynchburg, VA | 11/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I actually bought this CD after onlt hearing "That Song" and wasn't sure if they'd be good. Boy, did that gamble pay off. This is one of the best CD's I have ever heard. Big Wreck jams like few bands. And Ian Thornley can wail. Excellent CD even for anyone who appreciates music."