ENGLISH ELECTRIC: FULL POWER

As a longtime, die hard fan of Prog. Also an observer of Prog Archives for quite some time. It's time that I started to review albums starting with this one. So many choices could have been made for my very first review. So many life changing experiences and timeless unforgettable musical memories from particular artists and albums. So why this album first. Well for multiple reasons actually. This recording is a modern day milestone. It holds up to anything past and present. This is also the easiest recording for me to recommend whether you are a Prog fan or not. If you are a classic Genesis fan put it as #1 on your bucket list. This will make you forget about all about a classic Genesis reunion ever happening. You will be grateful Big Big Train happened instead. This is classic sounding modern Prog at it's finest. The return of David Longdon, Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard), and Dave Gregory (XTC) make for a flawless lineup and some of the best music ever made.

Highlights:

Winchester from St Giles' Hill- Perhaps the most beautiful and definitive of tracks on this record. Breathtaking piano and flute playing. Represents everything I love about this band.

The Permanent Way- Maybe the most catchy song. The flute and guitar sound very Jethro Tull inspired.

Curator of Butterflies- My wife's favorite. I believe most people will really like it whether they are into Prog or not. It's a beautiful song.

Summoned by Bells- The violin from Rachel Hall and the horn arrangements are the ingredient that give Big Big Train their own unique sound. You hear strong Genesis influences but these arrangements make them not sound like Genesis. This track represents Big Big Trains signature sound in epic proportion.

The First Rebreather- Sounds like something from the Genesis albums Trespass and Selling England by the Pound at the same time. Begins sounding like it came from 1970 with the guitar intro and bizarre Peter Gabriel vocals. Ends with moogs that sound like Genesis in 1973.

This recording is a real treasure. I'm very pleased to begin review writing with this masterpiece which has been my plan for several years now. It's worth mentioning and there is nothing I could think of as being more important to present after listening to countless Prog albums that expand for over 50+ years. A very special place in my heart for English Electric Full Power.