Search - The Northern Pikes :: Big Blue Sky

Four and a half, really!

Scott Clarkson | Montreal, Canada | 08/21/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded and released in 1987, this was actually the Pikes' third release, but counts as their first major label album. I'd give it the full five stars (for songwriting alone), but for the production: the band recorded in the classic '80's style, laying down track after track in isolation. It's a pristine album, but denies them the energy and abandon of their live shows. They learned from that on subsequent albums, recording as a unit from then on. "Big Blue Sky", though, should be remembered as what it really was: a breath of fresh air at a time when Canadian (and other) rock was often generic and sterile - this came out when the "hair bands" were on top; Jay semko's lyrics (just about every song here is credited to him - the only time that happened) are genuine, the playing earnest. It's a surprisingly confident "debut" from a young band, that would go on to bigger things (and is now working on their first studio album since '92). If melodic and intelligent, wry pop rock is your thing, you're home."