ENGLISH ELECTRIC (PART TWO)

The year was 2012 and the prog world was taken by storm by veterans of Big Big Train, who regarded a stage of rise after The Underfall Yard and culminated in English Electric pt. 1, one of the biggest progressive records of recent years. Consolidating in fact the band's career, the album was hailed by various means of communication and figure on a high note here on the site (but lower than it really deserves, in my opinion). And of course, "pt. 1" indicated that there would be a sequel, confirmed to go on sale next year. Here was the question: could the part 2 be as good or fascinating as the first?

Some reviewers may disagree, but for me the answer is a resounding "yes." Not only are we facing one of the greatest masterpieces of 2013, as I found a perfect successor to the first part and one of the greatest albums I've heard in recent times. Where all my love and admiration for Big Big Train have been confirmed.

There are no words to describe what I feel with this band. Their music is as natural, organic , touching... it provides wonderful feelings , thanks to an impressive musicianship. If I believed in reincarnation, I'd say they are the reincarnated Genesis. After all, who needs to go to England when you can close your eyes and imagine what is sung in the lyrics of the BBT? I already mentioned in my previous reviews of the band as I saw the voice of David Longdon as a compromise between Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, and oh God, this man continues to impress me! It really is now one of my favorite vocalists. Its timbre is beautiful , not to mention the fact of being an extremely talented multi- instrumentalist (as seen in simple Leopards , a track that follows the line of bluegrass Uncle Jack 's previous album ). Andy Poole and Greg Spawton , the creative minds of the band, also move between different instruments ( keyboards and the exceptional guitar tones are the highlights ) and Nick D' Virgilio see an increasingly integrated into the band , offering a range of styles that adapt well to the spirit of each song. And last but not least, the backing musicians that dazzle the listener with brass and woodwind instruments that make the music of the BBT even more organic.

At first listen, I did not think any of the songs (except for East Coast Racer) was a classic worthy of any of the music in Part 1. But well, I was listening to the album more and more, and then ... I was hooked. And then I realized that if this album is not better than predecessor, is on the same level of quality.

He begins with what could be the greatest song the band ever wrote. East Coast Racer is an epic 15 minutes, concentrating over that time everything the band was, is and will be. Opening with a simple piano theme Summoned By Bells of the previous album, she bursts into a song of awesome power, one of the most powerful vocal performances I've heard in my life. Seriously, listen to the climactic section between 9 and 12 minutes. If I could define "paradise", define that part. It is so grand, beautiful and exciting that makes me shiver and fill your eyes. When the music produces this effect on me is because I know it's a masterpiece.

Swan Hunter is a sweet ballad with a delightful work of brass and a beautiful guitar solo . Worked Out is one of my favorites here , I really love your entry (not so Genesis - esque ? Can almost feel that I am listening Sellling England By the Pound that part ) , and always singing the chorus " We are working men , we follow the seam ... " . Warning for the fantastic synth solo at the end of the song. The aforementioned Leopards is more a solo effort Longdon , with some gorgeous vocal harmonies and a great acoustic work.

Keeper of Abbeys begins misleading : its cheesy introduction , "happy -happy -to " and some " la- la- las " in the chorus may sound so annoying to some , but I really like that sort of thing , but there for 2 minutes music offers a wonderful change , and vocal harmonies dictating a new theme . And the instrumental section? By God, I was perplexed . The violin solos and electric sitar listed as one of the album's highlights , making this another favorite of mine . The same is said of the climate The Permanent Way , which revisits the themes of The First Rebreather and Hedgerow previous album fabulous way . Just love it when the vocal harmonies echo the theme music of the stanza . The album closes with the beautiful Curator of Butterflies . At first I was afraid because it is a very different termination epic Hedgerow ( which continues to be the first of my top 3 favorite of BBT , followed by Summoned By Bells and East Coast Racer ) , but then started to approach it much more positive way . After all , I love these post-climatics closings.

In the end, this was a somewhat different experience hearing the first part. Some have accused this album sound different from its predecessor, others to be "more of the same." I just think people are always looking for something to complain about. While for me this was an album in its own right, it was great to see some of the themes explored in the previous album revisited here. And it is certain that this was one of the best albums of 2013, as shocking as its predecessor. A perfect rating of 5 stars in my opinion. Big Big Train is arguably one of the greatest names in modern prog.

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