Big Flame - Peel Sessions 84-86

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 7 / 9 / 2025

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Review

I make no secret of the fact that I am a massive fan of the alternative music of the mid 1980’s that is often dubbed ‘C86’ in reference to the ‘NME’ cassette of the same name. However, I tend to be a little blinkered in my approach and only really have affection for the more melodic jangly sounding bands and as such Big Flame, whilst a name I know, have not really been my bag. The odd track I had heard didn’t float my boat, but I was intrigued enough to give this collection of ‘Peel Sessions’ a listen. My musical tastes have certainly widened considerably in the last 10 to 15 years to the point that I can appreciate great songs regardless of the musical style, Northern Soul, Soul in general and straight up mainstream pop get my attention as do elements of Heavy Metal, Classical and Soundtrack music, all of which would have been out of my regular sphere in years gone by. However, I have really struggled to connect with Big Flame. The sounds are too abstract, too angular and too abrasive. There is just not even enough shafts of light to ease the dark. I know people rave about the band and they are often cited as an influence on the likes of The Manic Street Preachers, but sadly I just can’t warm to them. Even their cover version of The June Brides great jangle single ‘Every Conversation’ or adaptation of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Were Made For Walking’ don’t draw me in. It’s a shame because I really like Alan Brown’s subsequent band The Great Leap Forward. The one saving grace is the packaging by Precious Recordings of London, which is as always on point. I’m sure fans of the band will love this release, but it just isn’t for me.

Track Listing:-

1 Debra (session)
2 Man Of Few Syllables (session)
3 Sargasso (session)
4 Breath Of A Nation (session)
5 All The Irish Must Go To Heaven
6 New Way (Quick Wash And Brush Up With Liberation Theology) (session)
7 Chanel Samba (session)
8 These Boots Are Made For Working (session)
9 . Earsore (session)
10 Let's Rewrite The American Constitution (session)
11 Cat With Cholic (session)
12 Every Conversation (session)
13 Sink (Get Out Of The Ghetto Blues Part 1) (session)
14 Xpqwrtz (session)
15 Three On Baffled Island (session)
16 Testament To The Slow Death Of Youth Culture (session)

Band Links:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Flam

Label Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/PrecRecs/
https://twitter.com/PrecRecs?ref_src=t
https://preciousrecordingsoflondon.ban

Play in YouTube:-

Have a Listen:-