We are here to talk about one of the most interesting bands in the modern Progressive Rock scene, with several top albums: Big Big Train. Their new work “The Likes Of Us” was released on March 01, 2024 via InsideOut Music and contains 9 long tracks, including an epic over 17 minutes long. This is the first studio album with Alberto Bravin as frontman, following the untimely death of David Longdon. Alberto‘s sweet voice opens “Light Left In The Day” over the soft melodies the band creates, slowly and harmoniously introducing us to the album. The intensity increases as the minutes go by, evolving the track with the band’s own Progressive Rock style, offering a solid rhythm section full of tempo changes. The interplay between the guitar and keyboards is valuable, alternating solo inserts with vocal parts, always dynamic and very expressive. The first part of the song follows the classic Prog style, steeped in Symphonic Prog and technical, elaborate passages, and then in the second part develops a long instrumental section that enhances the band’s technique. Heavier guitar riffs intertwine with keyboards in “Oblivion,” to which melodic choral vocals are added. The tempo changes are an added value to the song’s structure, as are the dynamic and incisive vocal parts. The rhythm section is solid, with a load-bearing bass line, elaborate drumming offering grooves and high-level fills. The band offers a fine interweaving of melodic and more techncic passages, keeping the intensity always very high. “Beneath The Masts” is an epic suite of over 17 minutes, opening with gentle guitar and piano arpeggios. The vocals are warm and expressive, interpreting the song’s lyrics with passion. A passage of absolute value, which enhances all the compositional and performing technique of this band, skilful in creating an emotional sound full of quality cues. There are all the ingredients one would look for in a suite, exploiting the long duration to evolve the central theme of the song. The instrumental parts offer solos that highlight all the qualities of the individual artists, a true masterpiece and a track that alone is worth the price of the disc. After the excellent previous suite, the band offers a softer track, “Skates On.” A passage steeped in positive melodies, rhythmic and harmonious, deep and intense enhances the band’s songwriting and Alberto‘s vocal talents. Here we come to another long track, “Miramare,” which is over 10 minutes long and which we got to know thanks to the official video extracted from the album. An intro with symphonic traits and a soft vocal that evolves, increasing in intensity as the minutes go by and alternating with instrumental parts of fine workmanship. In the middle part, the band performs some very sophisticated solo inserts, before returning to vocals for the last verses and concluding. “Love Is The Light” opens with guitar arpeggios and the violin, and then vocals and piano. It is the most delicate track so far, developed around the intense lyrics and interventions of electric guitar and violin. A fine alternation of singing and refined instrumental sections combines technique, melody and the band’s unmistakable style. The band explores the softer, acoustic sounds of prog, delivering the excellent track “Bookmarks.” The vocalist gives a top-notch performance, enhancing the songwriting, for a track that combines delicate arpeggios, deep and emotional atmospheres with a unique delicacy. “Last Eleven” returns to more energetic sounds, with technical passages, deep bass lines and elaborate drumming. The vocals alternate between choral parts and intense solo verses, set in an ever-changing musical context in pure Progressive style. Another excellent interweaving of fine instrumental work and vocal parts that moves us for almost eight minutes. The album ends with the single edit of the song “Miramare,” slightly shorter in duration than the previous version, but maintaining its intensity and energy. Being able to listen to and review albums of this level is one of the reasons why I started my webzine. Once again Big Big Train offer a varied tracklist, with tracks that are elaborate, engaging and explore different facets of the band’s Progressive Rock style. In my opinion a masterpiece of modern Prog, for a band that always manages to offer fresh and very high quality work. A recommended listen for all lovers of the band’s sounds, confirming them as one of the best in today’s music. Congratulations also go to InsideOut Music, which has always been highlighting the best artists in the Prog scene for 30 years.
Tracklist
01. Light Left In The Day (06:10)
02. Oblivion (05:27)
03. Beneath The Masts (17:26)
04. Skates On (04:28)
05. Miramare (10:17)
06. Love Is The Light (06:11)
07. Bookmarks (06:23)
08. Last Eleven (07:55)
09. Miramare (Single Edit) (08:55)
Lineup
Alberto Bravin (PFM, Sinestesia) / Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Greg Spawton / Bass Guitar, Bass Pedals, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron
Nick D’Virgilio (Spock’s Beard, Tears For Fears, Genesis, Kevin Gilbert) / Drums, Percussion, Vocals, 12-String Acoustic Guitar
Rikard Sjoblim (Beardfish, Gungfly) / Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Oskar Holldorff (Dim Gray) / Keyboards, Vocals
Dave Foster (Mr. So & So, Steve Rothery) / Guitars
Clare Lindley (Stackridge) / Violin, Vocals
1 thought on “[Review] Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us”