1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

In the early eighties there was a musical scene that was gaining momentum in the wake of the seventies punk explosion. New Romantics edgey club/dance sound had been diluted for the commercial market, Heavy Metal was becoming cliche and predictable and the ghost of punk could be seen in the uniform and copyist mohican and tartan clad wannabees who were flogging that particular dead horse. The attitude of punk had been combined with quality song writing and passionate and stiring music and had re-emerged in a style of music that at that time was known as celtic rock.

The term was coined mainly because the bands involved in the scene seemed to come from the non-english parts of the British Isles and were rightly proud of their roots. By 1983, there were four main band holding the touch for this genre. U2 were by far the biggest name on the scene, an Irish based band, although made up of a mix of backgrounds, who had worked their way up through the London clubs to emerge as a band that you just knew were destined for big things. In Scotland Big Country had captured the feel of their homeland with a sound and lyrics that combined the modern working class concerns with the images of the past. Simple Minds, also from north of the border had abandoned their experimental keyboard driven sound and joined the gang. The fourth and less well known front runner were from North Wales, four men living within visable distance of the lights of Liverpool, The Alarm.

After a succesful tour of America with U2, The Alarm teamed up with producer Alan Shacklock in 1983 and produced one of the defining albums of their career, the one that was to move them from small time support band to headline stadium rock act, Declaration.

The title song of the album is really just an intro piece to the first proper song, but as you listen to Mike Peters passionate and distant voice you can see the political (small p) stance that they take, and the acoustic guitars lift and Marching On fires into view. A big song, you can imagine this opening up at Wembley Stadium, fists punching the air and the crowd singing at the top of their voices. Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke continues in the same vein and by now you have a messure of the band, a small band writting anthems for the days when they will be a top act, and all credit to the bands vision, it did happen. A blend of Mike Peters acoustic and Dave Sharps electric guitars, the back beats punchy and driven with some fantastic fills and breaks

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Album reviews: Declaration, by The Alarm?
We want to hear your view. Write now!