Search - Shriekback :: Big Night Music

It's been much too long

WillieB | 01/05/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I used to listen to this a lot in the late 80's but for some reason put it on the shelf and forgot about it. What was I thinking? Released in 1986, "Big Night Music" is Shriekback's fifth album that is overflowing with catchy pop/rock/techno tunes and great production. Dave Allen (bass) and Martyn Barker (percussion) are so tight that you will shake your head in disbelief and Barry Andrews (lead vocals/keys) has such a warm voice, great tone. These three are Shriekback, and guest musicians fill in the missing links.



Not a dud on this disc but some standout tracks include... "Black Light Trap" grabs you immediately with a beefy trance-like groove accented by some nice horn arrangements; "Pretty Little Things" highlights multiple vocals backed only by percussion (skipping rimshots, bells, a milk bottle) and a jazzy keyboard lick, or "Sticky Jazz" with a sing-along R&B sounding chorus. This is such a fun record that should be remastered and brought back into circulation.

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A Wonderful, Under Appreciated CD

K. Gross | Radford, VA USA | 05/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Did you ever get the feeling some artists make a record, and then make something structurally similar the next time, only they get it right?



Similar to Oil and Gold, this record DOES get it right. The arrangements are light yet multi-layered, with dark and quirky lyrics. "The Underwater Boys" contains one of the most lyrical allusions to suicide I've ever heard! It contains none of weaker tracks of other Shreikback recordings, and was the perfect balance of accesibility and integrity. Without a doubt the one Shriek album you must own.



Listen to it by candle light."

Still great after all these years

Steven Krut | Atlanta, GA | 07/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If James Brown had been a reptile and one of his biggest influences had been the alien bar band in the first Star Wars movie, he might have sounded the way Shriekback sounds on this excellent album. BNM is the best record that Shriekback made and is easily one of the enduring highlights of 80's pop music. Every song on the disc is first rate. The funk is funkier, the melodies more melodic than on any other Shriekback effort. The Shrieks simply sound more confident and assured here than they ever did before or have since. What I especially like about the album is how warm and organic the band sounds having abandoned the drum machines and sequencers of their previous albums. This warmth balances the overall detached approach of the band to great effect. Hopefully, BNM will begin to reap the recognition it deserves and will be remastered and rereleased."