Runrig – Amazing Things

Description

Amazing Things is the eighth studio album by the Scottish Gaelic rock band Runrig, released on Chrysalis Records in March 1993. The album was recorded at Castlesound Studios in Pentcaitland, Scotland; with Chris Harley producing. All songs written by band members Calum Macdonald and Rory Macdonald. The cover features a close-up photo of the Hugh MacDiarmid Memorial near Langholm, southern Scotland, created by sculptor Jake Harvey.

The last album I heard from Runrig was ‘Searchlight’ which I have to admit did nothing for me, so when I heard this album I was most pleasantly surprised. The emphasis here is on stadium-sized Celtic rock. If bands with an epic sweep to their music make you want to run to your CD player and put on Tom Waits (or Nirvana) then steer clear, but I for one find this style capable of some very uplifting moments. The title track and lead-off single, «Wonderful», are prime examples of this. Elsewhere are several tracks in Gaelic and lyrics here are poetic in a Bruce Cockburn sort of way, Gaelic and English alike (when translated of course). However, this album does nothing really to dispel accusations of spiritual ambiguity – although «Wonderful» is fairly clear, other tracks are far more open to (mis)interpretation – «Streets Of Europe» talks of possibilities of a new Babel without really stating any kind of stance on the possibility. The first track is particularly worth a mention, «On The Edge», an instrumental with some beautifully fluid and expressive guitar playing. [James Lewis, Cross Rhythms, June 1993]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/amazing-things/1629121257)

CD tracklist:

01. Amazing Things
02. Wonderful
03. The Greatest Flame
04. Move A Mountain
05. Pog Aon Oidhche Earraich (A Kiss One Spring Evening)
06. Dream Fields
07. Song Of The Earth
08. Forever Eyes Of Blue
09. Sraidean Na Roinn-Eorpa (Streets Of Europe)
10. Canada
11. Ard (High)
12. On The Edge

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Chrysalis Records.

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