WELCOME TO THE PLANET

Big Big Train's follow-up to their stellar 2021 album, Common Ground, is Welcome to the Planet, which continues their run of wonderful albums, with another collection of great songs. Although it can't quite match the heights of the previous album (which was my pick for best album of 2021), it is still a great album. The band continues growing and developing during a period of transition and changeover in personnel, exploring and moving in some new directions, and getting contributions from various band members. Both of the songs written by drummer Nick D'Virgiolio ('Connection Plan' and the dynamic instrumental 'Bats in the Belfry') are excellent and quite different from previous Big Big Train songs (including an extended drum solo). The first half of the album shines the brightest, with 'Connection Plan', the grand and sumptuous 'Lanterna', the sparse and beautiful ballad 'Capitoline Venus' (featuring perhaps the best vocal performance from David Longdon), and the atmospheric instrumental 'A Room with No Ceiling'. The conclusion of the album is weakened a bit by the final two songs, as 'Oak and Stone' languishes some with an odd unsettled melody, and the final title track may be the strangest in the band's history, starting with disturbing lyrics and then perhaps the least inviting 'Welcome' ever with beautiful harmonies but a dark and twisted melody. Then, towards the end of the song it transitions into a New Orleans-style Dixieland jam before ending with the opening disturbing mood and lyrics. Certainly an intriguing track from newcomer pianist Carly Bryant, but ends the album with more of a WTF? than the grandness of previous releases. Despite that questionable ending, still a great album overall. However, it is also bittersweet hearing the wonderful vocals of David Longdon on this album. Great that we get these new songs from him, after his tragic death late last year, but sad that we will not hear his voice or his other contributions on future albums. Best Tracks: 'Connection Plan', 'Lanterna', 'Capitoline Venus', 'A Room with No Ceiling',' Bats in the Belfry'. Weakest track: 'Oak and Stone'. Rating: 4 stars.