What does it sound like?:
When Bargey asked me if I wanted to review this album, of course I said ‘yes.’ They’re ‘my band’, after all. Little did I realise how tough a task it would be when I factored in that, since it was recorded, the singer and one of the principle writers, David Longdon, had died, following an accident at home.
Over the past ten years, David’s voice, and his songs, have been such a constant in my life, such a source of solace and joy, that I simply cannot imagine life without him. It was hard enough going back to old BBT music following his death, but new music? I had seen him perform those older songs with the band many times but, with the two later albums, released within six months of each other, and no prospect of ever seeing him command that stage and bring these songs to life?
It was almost too painful to bear.
So, the only way to approach this review is without that knowledge, without that black cloud that has hung over the band’s fans, since that fateful Saturday in November, when we got the news.
Okay. Here goes.
Welcome To The Planet is the band’s 14th album in their 28 year recording history. It is the 9th since David Longdon and drummer Nick D’Virgilio joined, in 2009, and helped to turn the fortunes of the band on its head. Plaudits and awards, both for their albums and their live shows, have pushed them into the mainstream album charts – and there is no doubt that this one will follow.
The album opens with a ray of sunshine, as close to a pop song as BBT may ever come, and it’s a joy. Made From Sunshine is a great way to open the album and it sets the tone for an album of optimism and fond reflection.
Nick D’Virgilio’s Connection Plan is an urgent, direct piece of music with an incredibly hooky chorus. A real grower, it demonstrates perfectly the power of the group of musicians which founder member, Greg Spawton, and David assembled following the departure of 3 key members after the last tour and the start of Lockdown. The new additions fit in seamlessly and are already adding their own spark and creativity, the essences of BBT music.
Lanterna is a proper prog outing and tells the history of a lighthouse in Genoa, Italy. As a way of introducing a new listener to the band, it would be a good example of their story-telling songs. It takes the listener on an exciting journey through history and, as with so many of Greg’s songs, puts you right in the centre of the story.
A Proper Jack Froster is Greg’s look back at the winters of his childhood via “a sledge with rusty rails”. It features the band’s signature sound of their brass section and also the voice of new member, Carly Bryant, who adds a different colour to the the band’s palette. Clare Lindley’s violin weaves in and out of the uptempo rhythm, adding a melancholy tone which contrasts beautifully with the fond memories of times gone by.
There are two instrumental tracks on the album, both of which show the musicians at their best. Nick D’Virgilio’s Bats In The Belfry features that brass section and would be a brilliant live track. Guitarist Rikard Sjoblom’s instrumental song is A Room With No Ceiling, a brilliant, jazzy track which showcases Greg’s terrific bass playing, as well as the band’s cohesive sound.
Oak and Stone is a beautiful piece which features David Longdon’s wonderful voice and could easily have closed the album. Except that BBT have been there, done that with previous albums, i.e: close with the quiet, tender song. It fits beautifully ahead of the album’s title track.
The progression that the band has made, over the past 12 years, is perfectly illustrated in the title track of the album.
Welcome To The Planet, written by Carly Bryant, and sung by her and David Longdon, is a really interesting song. It crashes in like the next act of Les Miserables and then……ELO? Supertramp? It sits easily on its influences, features lush backing vocals and a wild ending. I love it but I can see that it might divide opinion.
This album, the band’s second during Lockdown, is a triumph, and yet another in their run of outstanding albums of the past twelve years.
In fact, it is one of their best.
The writing has been spread around the band, which means that influences and directions come flying at you, but not at the cost of quality. It’s a cracker.
There, I did it.
What does it all *mean*?
Boy, that was hard. The thought that we will never get to see David sing these songs on stage is so sad but the joy he has given us BBT fans is worth all the pain.
Don’t be sad that it’s gone. Just be glad that it happened at all.
Goes well with…
All of their other albums.
Release Date:
28th January 2022
Might suit people who like…
Great, adventurous music played by great, adventurous musicians.
Well done
Thanks.
Lovely review. Will definitely listen as soon as possible.
Thank you Niall, yours is the only review to do with `Welcome To The Planet` that I will read, why? Because it is the only review that matters, written by a true fan of B.B.T. and the same fan who put me wise to B.B.T. It is also a fitting tribute to David Longdon, once again thank you.
I haven`t heard any tracks from the album, I can wait another 7 seven days when Buring Shed deliver my order.
Whether the band stay together the band have not yet made a decision. I don`t think it would be appropriate to comment on this except to say that as a fan of 10+ years I will respect any decision the band make.
Thanks, Baron. Yes, I am with you on that.
Thanks.
Lovely review!
Trivia fact – the late David Longdon got down the the last two when Genesis auditioned for a vocalist to replace Phil Collins, while Nick d’Virgilo got the drumming part of the vacancy.
I asked David about it, after a gig. He said he was gutted at the time but, when they split up after one album, not so much. And he looked at me and grinned, looked around the packed foyer, saying, “and I might have missed all this.”
Thanks for that, @niallb. Good review. Thanks for being a champion of this group – your enthusiasm prompted me to check them out – only in the past 18 months or so. I’ll be placing an order with BS in the next few days…
Thank you.
For you, Niall.
Something in my eye.
Woah.
Stunning and yet so sad.
Well.
That’s a great memorial, and fitting that it should be something new and forward-looking.
I’ve been in an unreasonably bad mood all afternoon – this performance, and the rehearsal footage of Transit of Venus… have put me back on track, albeit left me a bit sad and reflective…
They’re a fairly recent discovery for me. Looking forward to the new album, as love the songs already released from it.
Unfortunately, as someone that still looks to buy on CD, I do seem to have arrived far too late to the BBT party as a lot of their back catalogue isn’t easily available.
I’ve grabbed what I can from Burning Shed, and got Empire elsewhere. Hopefully there might be further pressings/reissues in the near future of other albums, otherwise will keep an eye on ebay. English Electric Full Power is top of my wishlist.
At least can hear most of their work on streaming for now.
Hi @Andrew B.B.T. regularly have sales via Burning Shed so you may get some bargains for CDs they may have previously stated were out of stock.
Sign up for the Burning Shed mail out. It comes once a week on Thursdays.
Oh, I already do. I’ve been a regular purchaser from Burning Shed for a several years and get their newsletter. It’s just I was focussed on other acts that I knew like Steven Wilson’s various projects.
I do recall seeing and skimming over BBT updates in the newsletter in the past. Such a fool.
There was a recent and very timely BBT sale through which I grabbed all I could that was reduced.
I should get an email alert if any of the titles that show as out of stock come back on sale. I got an alert about Empire but it had gone to sold out again by the time I checked. Have since got that from Amazon.
There’s a few others from further back in their catalogue that don’t show at all on BS or elsewhere. though, at present. Maybe that’ll change one day, maybe one or two will appear on eBay.
Till then I’m enjoying what I have managed to buy, and have access to the rest through Amazon Music.
I’m wriggling with fizzy anticipation – Burning Shed just emailed to say my copy is now in the post.
Got my email from Burning Shed that my CD/LP order were in the post. I don`t think we`ll get them before Friday Foxy. B.S. always send notifications out before actually sending the order.
I haven’t bought a CD for a year or so, but this one along with T Shirt is in the post from Burning Shed.
CD and t shirt arrived yesterday. I’ve now heard it through twice, interestingly not via the CD (as it does mean changing the proverbial light bulb). I have to say that I’ve enjoyed it more so than some of the more recent recordings post “folklore”. The three new faces in the band have certainly offered a freshness to the BBT sound without throwing the baby out with the bath water. It’s still very much BBT and a very moving unintended tribute to David who’s vocals here are outstanding.
Stand out track for me is the title track despite a very jarring lyrical line “try not to get abducted”.
It’s entirely up to the band as to what future projects may or may not come to pass, and like all true band supporters (I don’t identify as a passenger!) I’ll understand. Privately, on the evidence of this album, there is a clearly a potential future. If not, what a wonderful musical legacy has been left to us.
I agree with you Martin, there is a potential future for the band but as I stated earlier up this thread and as you do, I`ll respect whatever decisoin they make.
My CD & LP arrived yesterday and I`m on my 6th+ listen. I think this is the best album since English Electric Part 1 (not that the others were not good). The new members definitely do bring something new to the band and all sit comfortably on that Big Big Train.
Absolutely sir. I’ve given it another couple of run through today. English electric was my way into BBT and still stands as my favourite but this runs a close second.
A new vocalist has been recruited, Alberto Bravin of PFM, to replace the late David Longdon. Tour dates will now go ahead.
That’s an interesting choice…
Best of luck to him and BBT. Intriguing…
Most of em were cancelled rather than postponed. And last month.
Thankfully Alberto isn`t a vocal doppelgänger of David Longden. I`m intrigued as to what the band will now sound like. David will be sorely missed by the band and fans alike, however they must move on. I`d have loved to seen them on the upcoming tour but I`ve given my tickets away. I can`t risk my tinnitus worsening at live gigs any longer.