ENGLISH ELECTRIC (PART ONE)

I actually made ​​the mistake of thinking that they could not overcome after The Underfall Yard. God, how could I be so naive?

Viljans Oga, you have a serious contender for album of the year. This here is Genesis risen, but do not you dare say that this is a ripoff! Big Big Train is a band of their own spirit, and since David Longdon joined the band say they have won only musically speaking. You know what I think? He achieved what many neo-prog singers could not: have a voice at the height of Peter Gabriel, the great reference of those guys. Actually I say it goes far beyond a mere copy: his voice is perfect and mature, being a kind of intermediary between Gabriel and Phil Collins - not to mention the fact that he plays the flute and a range of other instruments.

(Please Genesis: I know Collins has more good voice before, Gabriel does not think of returning and Ray Wilson is not the best option, so if think about a new album - yes, I have this hope - call David Longdon for vocals!)

But it is not a single star of the show. Andy Poole and Greg Spawton really stand out on keyboards, with lots of organs, pianos and mellotrons (Andy Tillison of The Tangent is also here, providing further synthesizers - see the splendid solo at the end of the first track) - some parts sound like Tony Banks himself (most prog keyboardist of all time, I think). The guitar is another highlight - Steve Hackett, are you? - And we have some wonderful acoustic moments, plus a mandolin through a climate that brings folk, bluegrass or country band in Uncle Jack. Nick D'Virgilio also not far behind, being really integrated into the band here. There are also a lot of orchestrations, metal sections, things like that help to elevate the spirit and quality of the work. Only the bass, which was quite poignant and highlighted on the previous album, is obscured here, possibly because Spawton Poole and are more focused on keyboards and guitars.

While I had some issues with the title track from the last album I can say that Inglês Electric Part One is an album without flaws. Well, it took me to appreciate Summoned By Falls as the other songs, but now I love her, especially her final section, with metals and that climate jazzy ... the rest was love at first sight. The album title already denotes the idea that they are dealing with issues exclusively British, especially tales (like Judas Unrepentant - this is not as Genesis-esque?). The album is an incredible maturity, while the influences of Gabriel, Collins, Hackett, Rutherford and Banks are crisp character of a work is 100% original.

After getting absolutely delighted with this album I hope that more eagerly for part 2, which I imagine will come with the epics that were not present here. Perfect five stars for album of the year!

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