ENGLISH ELECTRIC (PART ONE)

Big Big Train

Crossover Prog

4.24 | 1144 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Tons and tons of 5 Star ratings for this Big Big Train output! Nr 3 Album of 2012 currently on the PA! What am I not getting here?

Lets say it right away. The English Electric Part 1 is not a bad album. It has actually three quite exciting pieces on it: The First Rebreather (sounding very Genesis, as a lot of passages on the rest of the album, but nevertheless, the track manages to hold ones attention), Judas Unrepentant (a upbeat melodic tune), and the closing track Hedgerow ( also quite upbeat and unique sounding track with roots in prog folk).

Unfortunately for the rest of the album, well, either 'skip' tracks or at least 'fast forward' tracks. I often find myself bored listening to the remaining five tracks and even at stages repulsed by the sweet slow Smooth/Soft Prog sounds displayed; accompanied by prosy vocals and cheesy string arrangements. This is music you could play in a hotel lobby or and elevator! Some of the tracks have their good moments, but to get to them you have to wade through lots of 'schmaltzy' mediocrity.

I remember some reviewer somewhere once described the band Pallas as Prog with balls. Big Big Train here are doing the opposite: Prog without balls!

For me Big Big Train are on a downhill road. I got to know them with Gathering Speed, which I enjoyed, followed by The Difference Machine, a fantastic album! But then came the Underfall Yard which already could not really excite me, but The English Electric is even worse. I guess I need to stick with their former vocalist, Sean Filkins, considering his superb solo output after having been thrown of the train.

All in all, three good tracks, all worth a four star rating! The other tracks ratings fluctuate between two and three starts. Overall I can give English Electric Part 1 a 2.5 Star rating.

King Manuel | 2/5 | 2013-1-13

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this BIG BIG TRAIN review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to King Manuel
Report this review (#893406)
Buy BIG BIG TRAIN music online with PA partners
Show all BIG BIG TRAIN MP3/Stream
Go to BIG BIG TRAIN page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to English Electric (Part One) page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for BIG BIG TRAIN related discussions