Review Summary: Best progressive rock album of 2013? Hell yeah.
Big Big Train is an English progressive rock band formed in 1990. I got into this band with the album 'The Underfall Yard' and I was totaly blown away.Their sound is based on the progressive rock of 70s and they have many elements from this golden era. Many people say that Big Big Train are the new Genesis (early days) and I think tha this simile is fair.. English Electric Part Two is the second chapter of the English Electric concept and it was released on March 4th. The etherial atmosphere and the great variaty of musical instruments and guest musicians make this album a gem for every progressive rock collection.
The musical journey of English Electric Part Two starts with the best way. 'East Coast Racer' is the first and the longest song of the album with 16 minutes of music and makes the listener to have high standards and requirements for the next parts of the album. 'Swan Hunter' is a ballad with a fantastic atmosphere and very emotional background. David Longdon is a great vocalist and one of the best of his genre. He reminds me a lot of Peter Gabriel. Personal favorite of the album is the song 'Worked Out'. It has a very emotional and etherial first half and an amazing groove with guitar solos , flutes and synths on the second half. Trully amazing!
'Leopard' is the shortest song of the album , very simple and unnecessary. Personally I think it's the only flaw of 'English Electric Pt2' because it acts like a combo breaker between all these great songs. 'Keeper Of The Abbeys' it's an up-tempo song with great musicianship ,which reminds me more than anything else of early Genesis. Fantastic outbursts , great guitar solos combined with the sounds from guest instruments like cellos, violins and flutes. The next song is the relaxing 'The Permanent Way' which have some great details like the backing orchestrations parts and some spoken words that make this song one of the most emotional moments of the album. This musical journey ends the best way. 'Curator Of Butterflies' have nothing to envy from all the previous songs. An acoustic guitar , a passionate voice , some orchestration details and a magical outro are enough.
Big Big Train is one of the most charismatic bands of our times and I wish they'll get bigger because they deserve it. 'English Electric Part Two' is one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard and I am not getting bored after so many listens. For me it's their second best after 'The Underfall Yard' and probably one of the best albums of 2013.
