The piano opening alone gives the title cut a sense of grandiosity even before the first line draws you in. “Bus driver, won’t you take me to the furthest place from here?” sings Ricky Ross.
And immediately, “The Great Western Road” seems to be about escape. But more than that, it’s about absolutely gorgeous harmonies. The thing that always gave Deacon Blue their edge is in even sharper focus here.
As expected, Ross and his wife, Lorraine McIntosh, make for a mighty duo, but that’s even more true on this record.
Their 40th anniversary as a band brings a reflective air to “The Great Western Road,” but the polished soul of “Late ’88” is particularly nostalgic.
At the heart of their songwriting is always a belief in humanity. Right back to when MV first got into the band (and I make no apology for saying “Dignity” remains one of my favorite songs), there has always been an empathy at the core of their work. “People Come First” underlines that sentiment.
More than anything, though, these are just excellent pop songs. “Wait On Me” is beautifully crafted.
If the title track is about leaving, then the uplifting “Ashore” feels like a triumphant return, with guitar work fit for arenas.
Naturally expansive, Deacon Blue have a way of making things feel epic, even when they wrap them up in four-minute songs. “Underneath The Stars” is a fine example of that, while you can easily imagine “Up Hope” becoming a live favorite with its infectious energy.
“Turn Up Your Radio!” and its use of strings give it a ’70s disco feel—perhaps a nod to the era when Ross and Dougie Vipond were listening to the radio in their youth.
The key, though, is keeping things fresh, and the absolutely gorgeous “This Is How We Remember It” would be the envy of many an Americana band.
“Mid Century Modern” is a wonderful piece of songwriting with an intriguing musical backdrop—those of us who struggle to let things go may raise a wry smile.
There’s an innate melancholy to the superb “Curve Of The Line”: “Regretting doing nothing is still never a crime,” sings Ross, and you can’t help but think he has a point.
It all ends with the shortest track here, but “If I Lived On My Own” is also the most fragile—though it fools no one. “The Great Western Road” is ultimately about connection and community.
For 40 years, that’s what they’ve done. The road may be well-traveled, but the journey is far from over.
Rating: 8/10
REVIEW: DEACON BLUE – THE GREAT WESTERN ROAD (2025)
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