There were some musicians in the punk scene that used the scene to springboard their careers in music, and it would take them away from the original ethos behind the whole punk movement. Billy Idol is one, Stuart Adamson was another. We all now how huge Big Country became, and that guitar sound – boys and girls – started right here.
There are maybe three albums from the old punk scene that in my opinion were really good. The Crack by The Ruts, the first Clash album, and this little beauty. The thing is the Skids can actually play, they don’t just rely on 2 chord stompers to get the message across. This record was released in ’79 and within its grooves are two punk classics and both were released as singles. The Saints Are Coming and Into The Valley. Into The Valley would prove to be more important as this was the blue print for the Big Country. A genesis moment! Other notable tracks are the title track, which has that indie vibe before it became fashionable – with a really cool chord progression, and Of One Skin, which I’m sure The Edge from U2 stole and made a whole career out of it. I like this album a lot and it still puts a smile on my face.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
