Introduction:
- Pat Moran (the producer).
- NPLH liner notes by Stuart.
- The 'Wizard of Oz'-metaphors.
- The album cover.
We're Not In Kansas (NPLH version) – song deep dive by Svein & Tom.
- The cornerstone song of this album - in the context of Stuart's liner notes, the song seems very autobiographical for BC.
- The use of keyboards - bad on tour, but nicely atmospheric on the album.
- Lots of cool guitar parts here - listen in headphones for lots of musical detail.
- The Oz reference - Dorothy and Toto are trying to get back to Kansas, but it's different than IT used to be. Is that BC not being able to get back?
- Comparing the NPLH version vs the TBS version, plus Mark vs Simon's drumming.
Republican Party Reptile – song deep dive by Tom & Svein.
- Good & well-producer song which we've both mellowed on over the years, but not typical BC music.
- No love lost for the horn section & the singing ladies.
- RPR as a singles choice - a confusing choice.
- BC as a bona fide blues-rock band from Scotland - believable? T&S do not think so.
- PJ O'Rourke as a song inspiration.
Dynamite Lady – song deep dive by Svein & Tom.
- A very atmospheric song - Svein calls it a "night song". Tom calls is “a masterpiece”. The guys agree on both counts.
- Guitar effects watery and dark, haunting feel, like a waking dream. Big Country produced by David Lynch.
- Discussion on what a dynamite lady is in this context.
- The story and the atmosphere it builds - fantastic lyrics, very poetic, open-ended from a story perspective.
- Differences between demo & album version.
- Tom rants and raves about how good this song is - and Svein agrees.
Keep On Dreamin' - dissection by Tom & Svein.
- Positive title, but painting a very negative picture.
- The start of "that" guitar sound on this album - a clean, crisp strum which features quite a bit on the album from this point on.
- A unifying song style-wise, after three very different songs before it.
“Keep On Dreamin'” – live from the Town & Country Club, London – 4th October 1991.
Beautiful People – song deep dive by Svein & Tom.
- The song is far too long!
- At five and a half minutes, and limited content, there is a lot of repetition of melody, lyrics, instrumentation and playing.
- The song is far too long!
- Honky-tonk piano, banjo etc could spice up the song, but it never leaves and just becomes grinding.
- The song is far too long!
- Strangest, least understandable single choice ever?
- The song is far too long!
The Hostage Speaks – song deep dive by Tom & Svein.
- Tom: an interesting song, which frustratingly doesn't build and consequently doesn't climax. A flatline song.
- Svein: an interesting song, which has dynamics, subtle building, and tremendous atmospheric payoff. A full circle song.
- The song also has interesting lyrics, which sadly are still relevant today.
- Comparing demo vs album version. The demo is more energetic but loses nuances and the atmospheric build-up.
“The Hostage Speaks” – live from the Town & Country Club, London – 4th October 1991. |