Collection, 1982-1988

AMG Review of Collection, 1982-1988

Tom Demalon
All Music Guide

For U.S. fans that might want a little more than the domestic Big Country compilations, The Collection 1982-1988 contains their hits and focuses on the bands strongest creative period. There are several B-sides included, most notably the previously vinyl-only "Wonderland." Sequenced chronologically by original release dates, the album opens with four songs that would end up on the quintet's breakthrough debut, The Crossing. In the mix are the attention-getting hit "In a Big Country" and "The Storm," which opens in an eerily sparse manner before reaching a rousing chorus. Unfortunately, "Fields of Fire" is absent. Another four songs are culled from Steeltown (possibly the band's best album), including the dreamy "Girl With Grey Eyes" and the thunderous title track. The Seer weighs in with four songs as well, but the wonderful "Look Away" is inexplicably left off. Only three songs appear from the relatively weak Peace in Our Time, but two of the best ones are among them; The Stones-like "King of Emotion" and the moody "Thousand Yard Stare." By Peace in Our Time, even long-time fans were beginning to agree with what critics had said since the second album; the band had begun to sound derivative of itself.