Big Big Train, one of England’s best-kept secret prog rock bands, has finally released their much-anticipated new studio album “The Likes of Us” with new singer Alberto Bravin (ex-PFM) and keyboard player Oskar Holldorff. After the sudden loss of their longtime vocalist David Longdon, it wasn’t easy for them to move on, but time heals everything, and here they are again with an album that showcases a new side of themselves, since Bravin also contributed to the songwriting.
The band’s prog rock music is as melodic, symphonic, modern, atmospheric, experimental, and sentimental as ever. It’s true that Alberto is a perfect fit for the band, and it gives you the feeling that he’s been with them for years. The production is clear, rich, and organic. The album was recorded primarily at Urban Recording Studio in Italy, and the stereo mixing was done by the band’s regular engineer Rob Aubrey along with Alberto Bravin. The use of live recording techniques adds a layer of authenticity that’s often missing from modern prog albums.
All eight new tracks are well-crafted: the symphonic opener “The Light Left in the Day”, the more rockin’ “Oblivion”, the atmospheric “Skates On”, the lengthy, pompous “Beneath the Masts”, the epic “Miramare”, the emotional ballad “Love is the Light”, the mellow “Bookmarks” and the progy closer “Last Eleven”. The album evokes a sense of familiarity and sensitivity. The band’s ability to balance beautiful melodies with musical complexity is a sound characteristic that makes their music even more intriguing.
“The Likes of Us” is a work that stands out in the band’s eventful career. It’s an album that not only pays homage to their past but also strides confidently into the future. I think that a new era of the bard is already under way for Big Big Train, and even if the old fans haven’t realized it yet, they will do so in a short time. The new followers will be able to enjoy a new period in which the band, backed by their major label, is ready to go even further and expand their reputation. I believe that every prog rock enthusiast should listen to this album several times to get a feel for it.
