FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA

"From the River to the Sea" is the first demo album release by UK progressive rock act Big Big Train. The album was originally released in 1991 through Least Perculiar Music (on cassette tape only), but saw a more widespread release in May 1992 through Least Perculiar Music/Avalon Records (on CD). Some consider it Big Big Trains debut album, while others consider it a demo. The band themselves seem to be in between on the labelling and their website doesn´t offer a definitive answer.

No matter the labelling "From the River to the Sea" is a professionally produced album. The 1992 reissue does feature some re-recorded parts and two completely new tracks ("Returning to the Fold" and "Indian Souls"), which didn´t appear on the original demo version of the album.

While "From the River to the Sea" is arguably a professionally recorded release it doesn´t feature the most well sounding or well balanced sound production, and it´s also obvious that Big Big Train were still a bit immature as songwriters and performers. Lead vocalist Martin Read is a skilled enough singer, but he does not have the vocal style and charisma of later Big Big Train singers...at least not on this release.

Artists like IQ, Marillion, and especially late 70s Genesis are all valid references, but Big Big Train aren´t a clone act and don´t sound exactly like any of those artists. It´s just to give the reader an idea of the musical territory of "From the River to the Sea". Upon conclusion "From the River to the Sea" is a promising first release by Big Big Train and it´s certainly worth a listen or two, but in retrospect Big Big Train would go on to release much higher quality music in the future and in that respect "From the River to the Sea" is a sligthly redundant release. A 3 star (60%) rating is still warranted though.