THE SECOND BRIGHTEST STAR

I hopped on the BIG BIG TRAIN with their 2007 release "The Difference Machine" and I really liked their sound. My appreciation grew with their next two releases "The Underfall Yard" and "English Electric(Part One)". That is my wheelhouse when it comes to this band. I'm not sure how I missed "English Electric(Part Two)" but the trio of albums that follows that is where they lost me. "The Second Brightest Star" is the final one of that trio and where I got off the BIG BIG TRAIN.

This trio of albums includes also "Folklore" and "Grimspound" and a stable 8 piece lineup. There has been so much talent pass through this band as either members or guests. It's really impressive when I look at the list of names. When Poole and Spawton formed this band in 1990 they couldn't have imagined having some of the "who's who" of the prog scene passing through their ranks. I was so drawn to "The Underfall Yard", such a warm release, and with this band I feel like I'm getting a history lesson at times of life in the UK when trains ruled the day. It's kind of crazy to me that this 8 piece lineup features Nick D'Virgilio(SPOCK'S BEARD) on drums, Rikard Sjoblom(BEARDFISH) on guitar as well as Dave Gregory(XTC) on guitars.

It's also crazy to me that this album "The Second Brightest Star" was released mere months after "Grimspound". It feels "mailed in" because half the album features tracks from the previous two records that have been expanded, then the new material is just so slow moving and mature. Lots of piano and vocals on this one. I'm not patient enough for this record. It's like having that muscle car without using the muscle. I'm really glad after the tragedy of Longdon's passing to see their latest record from 2024 getting some nice reviews. They are back!