Big Country - Steeltown Ciudad De Acero

Review by Erin Naumowicz

Steeltown Ciudad De Acero, the sixth studio album by Scottish rock band Big Country, is a powerful and emotional tribute to the working-class communities that built the band's sound and ethos. Released in 1984, just one year after their breakthrough debut album The Crossing, Steeltown showcases the band's signature blend of Celtic-infused rock, post-punk energy, and socially conscious lyrics.

From the opening track "Flame of the West," with its urgent guitar riffs and soaring vocals, to the closing ballad "The Travellers," with its haunting melodies and poetic lyrics, Steeltown takes the listener on a journey through the struggles and triumphs of industrial towns and their inhabitants. The title track, "Steeltown," is a powerful anthem that captures the pride and resilience of steelworkers and their families, while "East of Eden" and "Where the Rose is Sown" explore the themes of hope and despair, love and loss, that are at the heart of Big Country's music.

Throughout the album, the band's musicianship is exceptional, with Stuart Adamson's distinctive guitar work and vocals, Bruce Watson's intricate guitar textures, Tony Butler's driving bass lines, and Mark Brzezicki's dynamic drumming creating a sound that is both raw and polished, intense and melodic. The production by Steve Lillywhite is also top-notch, capturing the energy and emotion of the band's live performances.

Summary by Erin Naumowicz

Despite its critical and commercial success, Steeltown is often overlooked in the Big Country discography, overshadowed by the band's earlier and later albums. However, for fans of Celtic rock, post-punk, and social commentary, this album is a must-listen, a testament to the power of music to inspire and unite people across borders and generations.