What does it sound like?:
I volunteered for this as I’d heard the name but not heard anything by them, and that one of our number had had some involvement with them.
To be honest I didn’t know what to expect, my prog days being somewhat behind me. It needs to be listened to in a quiet and relaxed mood and possibly listening to it on a grey and damp day wasn’t conducive.
It feels to be an album of two sides, 40 minutes of new songs on one exploring landscapes, rivers and meeting places and longer workouts on t’other from their previous albums. As it is to be released on a sea-foam green double gatefold vinyl then maybe the best way to listen to it as if it is two separate albums.
It’s not as bucolic as I expected though I imagine the track Haymaking would be ideal as a soundtrack for a remake of Tess of the D’Urbervilles (or possibly to accompany a shot of the PM running through wheat fields)
What does it all *mean*?
It means I need to check their other output.
Goes well with…
A bottle of elderflower champagne and a cloudless sky.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
I have no point of reference to who they sound like, though I did find out that the bass player had been a member of the Happy End (Big Band)
As a Big Big Train fan I can only agree with your review Hubert adding that I think this a wonderful album that compliments the bands previous two albums. If you do investigate the bands previous albums can I recommend the 2 disc version of `English Electric` which combines `English Electric I&II` with the `Wassail` EP. Apart from being a bargain for £12 it`s superb.
It is a beautiful album*, a perfect complement to the Folklore and Grimspound albums, and has echoes back to English Electric and The Underfall Yard.
hubert, if you are checking back catalogue, as the good Baron says, start with English Electric (Full Power) Pts 1&2. For me, it is their most satisfying collection. Then go back to The Underfall Yard, which contains the gorgeous Last Train and Victorian Brickwork. Spotify also has an EP which contains, for me, the track that tells any new listener to BBT all they would need to know, Kingmaker.
*whisper it quietly, but I love it more than Grimspound*