The cover features a close-up photo of the Hugh MacDiarmid Memorial near Langholm created by sculptor Jake Harvey.
Release and promotion
The album Amazing Things was released on 11 March 1993 by Chrysalis Records. It was released by the record label in the United Kingdom, Japan and mainland continental Europe. In 2001, the album was re–released in a packaged 3 CD boxset alongside The Cutter and the Clan and The Big Wheel, and again in 2014 as part of a 5 CD boxset alongside four other studio albums released by the band.[3]
Following its release, Amazing Things debuted at number two in the United Kingdom, behind only Their Greatest Hits by Hot Chocolate. It became the highest charting entry for Runrig in the United Kingdom.[4] Additionally, it debuted at number forty-seven in Germany, remaining within the Top 100 of the German Albums Charts for a total of eleven weeks.[5] It was later certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), indicating sales in excess of 60,000 copies.[6]
Recording
The album was recorded by the band at Castlesound Studios in Pentcaitland, Scotland. For the recording sessions of the album, Runrig was joined by a number of session musicians to accompany the band for the recording of the album. Singer Marie Brennan provided both vocals and backing vocals on the album, with further backing vocals provided by Dee Brennan, Bridin Brennan, Olie Brennan, Mary Kiani, Lorna Bannen, Martin Piggot and Chris Harley.[3]
The band was also accompanied by The Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir, conducted by Kirsteen Grant, alongside The Breakish Horns, who provided bass material during the recording sessions.[3]
Album cover
The cover features a close-up photo of the Hugh MacDiarmid Memorial, near Langholm, created by sculptor Jake Harvey.[7]
The Waterloo Region Record wrote that "Runrig is relentlessly serious, their music always skirting the edges of overkill."[11]The Times opined that the band sounds "like a rockier version of Chris De Burgh on 'Dream Fields' and 'Move a Mountain'."[12]
AllMusic noted that "the folk genre that dominated their early independent albums had virtually disappeared and had been replaced by an anthemic rock sound heavily influenced by their fellow Scots countrymen Big Country and Irish band U2."[8]
Track listing
"Amazing Things" – 4:18
"Wonderful" – 4:11
"The Greatest Flame" – 5:04
"Move a Mountain" – 5:13
"Pòg Aon Oidhche Earraich" (A Kiss One Spring Evening) – 3:38
"Dream Fields" – 5:54
"Song of the Earth" – 4:52
"Forever Eyes of Blue" – 4:09
"Sràidean na Roinn-Eòrpa" (Streets of Europe) – 5:24
