COMMON GROUND

After GRAND TOUR, which I found disappointing, BBT are back in a big way. The band's idealism is marked even more strongly than on their previous album. Three of the first four tracks feature lines such as: 'Together / is the way we'll survive', 'Opened up to freely share / Everyone and everywhere / All the love we can give' and: 'We see the same stars / Walk the same ground / Lit by the same sun / We can be one.' Were Greg Spawton and David Longdon still reacting against Britain's fateful decision to leave the EU?

Musically speaking, the album shows an interesting evolution. Three of BBT's greatest soloists (Rachel Hall on violin, Andy Manners on keyboards and Dave Gregory on guitar) having left, the most exciting solos are now provided by Rikard Sjöblom, who does amazing things on Hammond organ and various synths. Dave Gregory's absence also means the final track's brass quintet apotheosis is almost devoid of ecstatic lead guitar. At the same time, the band have worked hard on their harmony vocals: D'Virgilio, Sjöblom, Longdon and - a newcomer - Carly Bryant now take care of these together, and the result is highly pleasing to the ear.

'Part One' of the album (which encompasses the first four tracks) is more lightweight than 'Part Two', which seems more closely related to 'classic' BBT. 'The Strangest Times', a fun opener, feels like the band's homage to Elton John's interpretation of 'Pinball Wizard'. 'All the Love We Can Give' and 'Black With Ink' almost veer into run-of-the-mill AOR, but 'Dandelion Clock' (another uptempo piece) is sung with such conviction that the listener perks up.

'Part Two' clearly deserves four stars. 'Apollo' is a delightful instrumental with a great bass line and remarkable solo contributions on flute, violin (played by Aidan O'Rourke), brass and Hammond organ. The title track is wonderfully catchy as well, and the 15 minute 'Atlantic Cable' is as good as anything on earlier BBT albums such as FOLKLORE or ENGLISH ELECTRIC.

While two or three of the tracks on COMMON GROUND are probably 'non-essential', most of the material is so uplifting that the album as a whole will form an 'excellent addition' to any prog rock music collection.

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