Reviewed by Steve Best

IN THE MAINSTREAM

Conceived in America, produced by Tony Visconti, and featuring a version sung entirely in Welsh, change was most certainly afoot. With titles such as "Sold Me Down The River" (the album's lead-off single), "Hardland", "Prison Without Prison Bars" and "Devolution Workin' Man Blues", this was The Alarm's most disaffected album to date, but despite disappointing sales it is viewed by most involved with the band as one of their easiest and happiest to make. 1990's 'Change' is probably best remembered for the epic ballad "A New South Wales", recorded with the Morriston Orpheus Male Voice Choir and members of the Welsh Symphony Orchestra, also the band's last top 40 UK hit. One notable extra on this re-issue is the former b-side "Change I" which never made it onto the album proper, but which is in my opinion the best song The Alarm ever recorded, sheer power and grit.

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