What makes The Crossing by Big Country notable?

The Crossing received critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart. Its lead single, 'In a Big Country,' became one of their most recognizable tracks, charting well and contributing significantly to the band's early popularity. Released on July 15, 1983, The Crossing was Big Country's debut album, introducing their distinctive blend of rock and Celtic influences. At this point in their career, the band was establishing themselves in the alternative rock scene after forming in 1981 and gaining attention through early singles.

Who is The Crossing for?

The Crossing works well if you're into wave-like pacing with peaks, expansive sound for reflection and an anthemic journey experience.

How many songs are on The Crossing?

The Crossing has 14 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

The Crossing

Big Country · 1983

68 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock

Anthemic melodies intertwine with jangly guitars and driving rhythms, creating a sound both expansive and intimate.

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Top tracks — play these first

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In a Big Country — This track epitomizes Big Country's sound with its soaring melodies and anthemic chorus, becoming a defining anthem of the early 80s rock scene.
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Fields of Fire — With its driving beat and poignant lyrics about the futility of war, this song showcases the band's ability to combine emotional weight with catchy hooks.
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Chance — 'Chance' stands out for its introspective lyrics and haunting orchestration, reflecting themes of fate and opportunity that resonate deeply.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and unique instrumentation, blending rock with Celtic influences effectively.

What we noticed

The album opens with the anthemic 'In a Big Country,' which features a driving rhythm and layered guitars that set a high-energy tone.
Several tracks, such as 'Fields of Fire' and 'Harvest Home,' incorporate traditional Celtic melodies, creating a distinctive sound that blends rock with folk influences.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with peaks
expansive sound for reflection
an anthemic journey experience
introspective moments of clarity

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer short standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on July 15, 1983, The Crossing was Big Country's debut album, introducing their distinctive blend of rock and Celtic influences. At this point in their career, the band was establishing themselves in the alternative rock scene after forming in 1981 and gaining attention through early singles.
Stylistic neighbors: The Waterboys· Simple Minds· U2

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 In a Big Country 4:43
2 Inwards 4:36
3 Chance 4:26
4 1000 Stars 3:52
5 The Storm 6:21
6 Harvest Home 4:20
7 Lost Patrol 4:51
8 Close Action 4:14
9 Fields of Fire 3:31
10 Porrohman 7:51
11 Angle Park 4:07
12 All of Us 4:09
13 The Crossing 7:08
14 Heart & Soul 4:33

What to play next

Listen next

Steeltown

1984

Go back to

In a Big Country

1983

Full Big Country discography Artists like Big Country

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata