Artist: Big Big Train
Title: English Electric, Pt. One
Genre: Rock, Prog. Rock
Release Date: 3rd September 2012
Label: English Electric Recordings
Album Review
British progressive rock legacy, BIG BIG TRAIN return with ‘English Electric, Pt. One’ after 2009’s well received effort, ‘The Underfall Yard’. BIG BIG TRAIN have since gained a respected following, many have claimed that BIG BIG TRAIN are “one of the great, unsung bands of British prog.” Another inspiring fact about this GENESIS inspired band is the absence of an actual record label, BIG BIG TRAIN has always maintained their independent status throughout most of their career.
‘English Electric, Pt. One’ is an intricate record, a well-executed epic of songs that have a spectrum of sounds on a mass scale. Each song has an individual identity, as if in an episodic form, all of which define stories encompassing a journey in the eyes of miners and other working class protagonists amidst the English landscape. Not only do the lyrics deliver interesting insights and poetic observations, the musical composition beguiles the listener too with its hypnotic rhythms and styles that carry emotions beautifully so.
BIG BIG TRAIN aren’t for everybody, their sound is somewhat generational e.g., PETER GABRIEL, GENESIS etc. This, perhaps, lacks the interests of younger audiences and listeners although; most music lovers will appreciate them. Pt. Two will follow in Spring, 2013, should it deliver the same impressive grandeur as Pt. One then we definitely have something to look forward to…
Tracklist
01. Uncle Jack
02. The First Rebreather
03. Winchester From St. Gilles’ Hill
04. Judas Unrepentant
05. Summoned by Bells
06. Upton Heath
07. A Boy in Darkness
08. Hedgerow
Line-up
Andy Poole - Bass, keyboards
Dave Gregory - Guitars
David Longdon - Vocals, flute, keyboards, guitars
Nick D’Virgilio - Drums
Greg Spawton - Guitars, keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Websites
www.bigbigtrain.com
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 6.5
Total: 7.5 / 10
