The Big Picture - The Big Picture

Tuesday 1st August 1995
The Big Picture - The Big Picture
The Big Picture - The Big Picture

STYLE: Pop
RATING 5 5 5 5 5
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 5159-1312
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Robin Budgell

A politically sensitive review, with The Big Picture featuring Cross Rhythm's contributor Karl Allison on vocals. One wrong word...! This is early 80s retro stuff - Talk Talk, lashings of synths, beat-it guitar riffs and even Flash Gordon ("Break Down The Barriers"). For a one week in the studio effort the musicianship is very good and arrangement is of high quality, with shifting dynamics and a good variety of sound. A particular pat on the back to Neville's bass work on "Live And Let Live". The songs are melodic but dated, sounding like 80s Christian songs but one gem hides here, called "Anyway". It's a dose of extremism a la More Than Words. Finally my academic study of pop (you get degrees these days!) taught me that the key ingredient is always the voice - Karl hits most notes but is often straining. However the acappella harmony sections stand out in the vocal department. But a big well done to Karl for co-writing "Anyway", being the only band member without Manager in his job title and for all the great work he does for Cross Rhythms.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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