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THE JOURNEY DEEP DIVE
PART 3


22 May 2013
1:19:51




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Another Country – song deep dive by Tom and Svein.

  • Spoken intro by Mike and Mark.
  • Differences between the Lillywhite-produced single version and the album version.
  • How do we feel about the new, longish keyboard intro of the song?
  • We both agree this is an improvement on the single version, but how do we feel about it being on the album?
  • A good “starting point” song. The other songs are more songs that arrived at where Another Country indicated they could go.

Speakpipe from Bill Darner.

Return – song deep dive by Svein and Tom.

  • Spoken intro by Mike and Bruce.
  • The much-touted “Fields of Fire” similarities – how strong are they really?
  • A “return” (does the title symbolize this as well?) to the older BC sound, more than most (all?) songs on the album.
  • We talk bass! Possibly the most Tony-esque bassline on the album, and one of Derek’s best moments on the album.
  • Also a Stuart tribute lyrically, about how his presence is felt. “You never left, you only went away” (and similarities to a Mike song with almost that exact same title).

Speakpipe from Tom Stieber.

Winter Fire – song deep dive by Tom and Svein.

  • Spoken intro by Bruce and Derek.
  • Bruce: “One of the maddest tracks on the album”. We agree, and it’s a good thing!
  • Comparisons with the early live versions.
  • The song has a very ominous, mysterious, and almost creepy vibe. Clearly the darkest song on the album, describing potential disasters on every level. Who keeps who free from harm, and who keeps who free? Some of Mike’s best lyrics on the album.
  • Mike pushes his voice higher and further on this song than anywhere else on the album.

Speakpipe from Tim Eldred.

Hail And Farewell – song deep dive by Svein and Tom.

  • Spoken intro by Mike and Jamie.
  • The album does not have any epics, but this gives us the next best thing: an anthem.
  • A sense of finality – the end of the album, a farewell to Stuart, a farewell to the “old” Big Country, and/or – heaven forbid – a farewell from the band to the fans? This song could be all of the above and even more.
  • The first BC song to feature actual bagpipes. Very muted bagpipes, though! Were they sampled and played on keyboards?

Wrap-up discussion:

  • Concluding thoughts on the album.
  • The track listing three-part division.
  • The album’s place in the BC catalogue.
  • How the album lived up to our expectations.
  • Information on Love Hope Strength.