THE LIKES OF US

One of the major players in the world of modern prog, BIG BIG TRAIN has existed since 1990 but only came to prominent notice with 2009's "The Underfall Yard" which was met with critical acclaim in the world of progressive rock and since then it seems that the band could do no wrong with one album after another receiving the seal of approval by adoring fans and reviewers alike but like all good things, sometimes unforeseen changes occur and BIG BIG TRAIN was completely derailed in 2021 with the shocking premature death of lead singer David Longdon who helped steer the "new" BIG BIG TRAIN into prog stardom. His unfortunate accident left a major hole in the band and fans rightfully questioned the future of a band where Longdon played such a critical role.

After three years of flailing around looking for answers, the band continued to release recordings with Longdon's contributions as well as the 2023 "Ingenious Devices" which featured re-recordings of classic tracks with the original Longdon vocals but the emergency reserves were used up and it was time to take BIG BIG TRAIN to the next level. The answer was a new vocalist of course and after searching high and low the winner emerged as ex-PFM vocalist Alberto Bravin who caught the prog world's attention for his contributions on the PFM album "Emotional Tattoos" from 2017 where surprisingly he was only the backing vocalist as well as the keyboardist but nevertheless his vocals prove to fit in quite well with the band's unique symphonic meets neo-prog stylistic approach.

The first album of new material since Longdon's unfortunate passing, THE LIKES OF US is BIG BIG TRAIN's 18th album and finds a new sound in the process by wisely adapting the musical style and compositions to the new vocalist. The album also finds the band's debut on the InsideOutMusic label. Featuring nine tracks and clocking in at just over 64 minutes, THE LIKES OF US finds the band retaining its classic Genesis and Marilion inspired symphonic prog / neo-prog touches but also with Bravin's contributions, takes on a beefier sound that is more akin to classic Neil Morse led Spock's Beard. In fact Bravin's vocal style is very similar to Mr Morse's except that he doesn't have the strained grasp effect which plagues much of Morse's more recent works.

A powerhouse of sort, THE LIKES OF US is one of those albums where it's obvious every band member played their heart out and the desire to prove that BIG BIG TRAIN was still alive and well is executed in every track. Fortified with strong melodies and a keen sense of musical instrumental interplay, "Light Left In The Day" starts with only a 12-string acoustic guitar accompanying newbie vocalist Alberto Bravin's lyrical delivery but quickly shifts to what sounds like a French horn but then allows a piano run to lead which then becomes arpeggiated as the arsenal of instruments join into to craft a very symphonic setting - a melodic tapestry that goes right for the heartstrings from the getgo. It's clear this album is something special and then it just keeps developing. The Spock's Beard organ and guitar heft join in and the album doesn't let up until it ends. The acoustic guitar motif finds its way across the album's run.

The 17 1/2 minute "Beneath The Masts" allows all the nerdy prog moves to unleash themselves and it's only the third track. This track meanders through a series of clever moves but ultimately retains the continuity of the sound already established in the first two tracks. In fact the album delivers a classic album "sound" better than many BIG BIG TRAIN albums of the past have with nice mix of dynamics that include piano ballad styled neo-prog moments as well as the classic group harmonies and the already discussed Spock's Beard heavier rock passages. The mixing and production is just magical as every instrument and melodic line is placed perfectly together and the touch of Clare Lindley's violin playing allows touches of classic English folk to bring a timeless element to the band's more modern prog style. The 24 bit high resolution stereo effect serves the warmth and organic nature of the band quite well.

The most commercial sounding track "Love Is The Light" was the second single after the single version of the knottier album version track "Miramare." This piano ballad may provide the ultimate 80s AOR throwback on the whole album but also showcases a more intimate acquaintance with Levin's vocal style where he is allowed to stand out a bit given that the album for the most part sounds like a complete band effort where every instrument has its role and orchestrated in a way that is logical and cohesive. Yeah, this track is a bit too cheesy for its own good but BIG BIG TRAIN is one of the most commercial sounding prog bands in the biz so it's not unthinkable that they would craft a radio friendly tear jerker such as this. Personally i find it to be the worst track on the album but that's just my tastes. The folkier aspects of the track do save it from a complete cheese-fest. The track "Bookmarks" pretty much follows in the same earnest piano ballad style but with better developments making it more interesting.

The album ends with the near 8-minute "Last Eleven" which is the one of the most intricately designed tracks on the entire album. Fortified with the same arpeggiated guitar runs and folky violin lines, the track delivers a series of melodic developments with nice time signature shifts and unexpected hairpin turns that nurture various cadences and then alternate. The group harmonies are intertwined into the mix appearing at key moments and then ceding to the solo performances of Bravin. The track is lighter and fluffier than the rest and sort of elevates the album into the clouds and ends the album making me think that perhaps the album in many ways was a tribute to their departed friend who has passed the baton to a new vocalist. It's a very well executed track and the elements all gel together perfectly. The digital version of the album features the single edit of "Miramare" which is 9 minutes long instead of 10 plus. This brings the digital playing time up to over 73 minutes. Personally i find an edit like this laughable but whatever. I'm not into prog singles so irrelevant.

BIG BIG TRAIN continues the tradition of rocking the accessible corner of the prog universe which is a much needed service considering how many directions the world of progressive rock has splintered since the 1970s. A beautiful melodic album that features brilliantly composed compositions and a top notch group effort. Not only has BIG BIG TRAIN proved that there's life after Longdon but to my ears sounds like they've created a new chapter that is even more exuberant and dynamic as anything they cranked out in the Longdon years. Sure the nostalgia for the past and the grieving process still haunts fans but at least it must be a fine day for BIG BIG TRAIN fans that the band will not only carry on but will flourish in the same way many prog bands like Spock's Beard carried on without a certain vocalist. While BIG BIG TRAIN has never been a top dog in my prog repertoire, i cannot deny they are brilliant at what they dish out and as far as THE LIKES OF US is concerned, i find this album to be much more interesting to my ears than many of the band's previous efforts. Something just clicks and i can't help think that perhaps it's the Bravin addition that shifted things in my likability favor. Whatever the case, a brilliant album (if not perfect) in the next chapter of BIG BIG TRAIN.