An Inward Revolution

Former Paul Weller protégés, The Big Sound Authority, enjoy a re-release of their only album.
If you’re a child of the 80s you might remember The Big Sound Authority. A refreshing brand of pop-soul that graced the airwaves with the superb This House (Is Where Your Love Stands) and popped up on TV shows from The Tube to Wogan, from (the final) Old Grey Whistle Test to No.73 (Google it kids!). The formation of the band is well known, with both singer Julie Hadwen and songwriter Tony Burke being introduced to each other after an ad was placed in Smash Hits by Paul Weller calling for artists to sing vocals with The Jam. The pair went on to form the band and contributed History Of The World to Weller’s Respond Records sampler album, they then turned down a contract instead taking up an offer from MCA. An Inward Revolution spawned three singles – This House was the only one to grace the Top 40 and missed out on the Top 20 by just one place, A Bad Town and Moving Heaven And Earth. The Big Sound Authority weren’t just about high powered anthems though, their ability to craft some lovely ballads and torch songs had to be applauded and slotting in Loverama as the second track was a master stroke. 30 years since its original release it’s actually difficult to believe that there were only three singles lifted from the album, the reason probably being an affectionate over-familiarity – it was played over and over and over. When Things Fall Apart is sheer poetry.