BIG BIG TRAIN – Folklore (2016)
British Prog favorites BIG BIG TRAIN are about to release their eagerly anticipated new full album “Folklore” on 27 May 2016. Recorded at English Electric Studios and mixed and mastered at Aubitt Studios by Rob Aubrey, it is the first studio album to feature Rachel Hall and Beardfish’s lead vocalist Rikard Sjöblom as official members.
Big Big Train’s unique take on traditional UK progressive rock, infused with historical traditions and a real heart of its own has been celebrated not only among prog aficionados.
After last year’s excellent EP (featured here on the blog), the band presents another fantastic collection of songs.
And I say ‘songs’, as Big Big Train eschews ambitious multi-part epics in favour of more straightforward songwriting.
But most of the things we’ve come to expect from Big Big Train are present; big soaring melodies and rich layered arrangements that evoke the spirit of traditional progressive rock with lyrics steeped in English landscapes and history.
Classic prog can be heard on ‘Along The Ridgeway’ or the dynamic ‘Salisbury Giant’ which is a glorious expression of the band’s strong English roots, but all are blended with intense, rockier compositions like the intense ‘Wassail’, the upbeat ‘Winkie’ or the almost poppy ‘Telling The Bees’ including wonderful orchestrations.
“Folklore” is strongly recommended for all audiences, as Big Big Train always has the ‘rock factor’ present to make the listening experience fluid.
Btw, love the cover artwork.
1 – Folklore
2 – London Plane
3 – Along The Ridgeway
4 – Salisbury Giant
5 – The Transit Of Venus Across The Sun
6 – Wassail
7 – Winkie
8 – Brooklands
9 – Telling The Bees
David Longdon – vocals, flute, banjo, mandolin, organ, glockenspiel
Dave Gregory – electric guitar
Nick D’Virgilio – drums
Danny Manners – double bass
Andy Poole – bass, keyboards
Greg Spawton – guitars, keyboards, bass
Rachel Hall – violin
Rikard Sjöblom – keyboards, guitars, vocals
PRE ORDER:
www.burningshed.com/store/progressive/collection/506/
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