New Release By Big Big Train - The Likes Of Us

After the very sad death of David Longdon in November 2021, I can't have been the only person to wonder whether that would be it for Big Big Train. Let me nail my colours to the mast straightaway - I absolutely adore this band. Longdon's vocals were such a big part of their sound that I feared for them. English Electric Parts One and Two form the great modern prog double album in my opinion. If you haven't heard them, put down whatever you're doing (wait - you're reading this - get to the end first!) and go and listen.

Welcome To The Planet, the previous full studio album, was released after Longdon's death in 2022 but mostly featured his fine work. The Likes Of Us is then the first album of new material to feature singer Alberto Bravin. There have been other personnel changes along the way, the departure of Dave Gregory the one most notable for me, being a big XTC fan. How do they sound?

Well, in the past you could never mistake the outright Englishness of Big Big Train. Their music was rooted in the land and culture. The Italian Alberto Bravin is clearly a great singer, never unnecessarily showy, never overly sentimental, and adapts perfectly to the vibe. Several times I was making Justin Hayward comparisons. Once I'd got over the fact that this is just a different singer, I have no doubts about how he fits in. Great job Alberto.

If anything, The Likes Of Us sees Big Big Train in a more proggy mood than ever. Theirs is a gentle, melodic, pastoral, beautiful prog of seamless transitions. There are no unnecessary twiddly bits (hurrah!). The production is full. There will always be comparisons to early Genesis with this band, but they have gone far beyond that. This is a bunch of seasoned professionals who know what they want to achieve and hit the target every time.

Track 5, Miramare, clocks in at 10:18. The last track on the album is Miramare (Single Edit). That clocks in at 08:56. I think someone is having a laugh!

Reasons to listen:

  • You like your prog melodic, but complex
  • You get that whole English vibe
Reasons not to listen:
  • You haven't yet listened to English Electric Parts One and Two - in which case listen to them first and come back to this
  • I really can't think of another reason
This is an excellent album and a worthy continuation of Big Big Train's fine body of work. Go and listen now!

Interesting fact of the day: Nick D'Virgilio, Big Big Train's drummer, was one of two drummers who appeared on the Genesis album Calling All Stations.

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