ENGLISH ELECTRIC: FULL POWER

Hot on the heels of the excellent "English Electric, Part 2", Big Big Train has released an interesting boxset. This set includes the masterpiece "English Electric, Part 1", the strong but not quite as good "English Electric, Part 2", and four new songs, "Make Some Noise", "Seen Better Days", "Edgelands", and "The Lovers".

I gave 5 stars and 4 stars to Part 1 and 2 respectively, and so this set becomes a 4.5 star set automatically. It is interesting, however, that BBT has reordered the track list to accommodate the new songs, and so this is a little disconcerting at first. Yet, the music is still amazing, and I like that they inserted the new songs, rather than just throwing them on the end of the album. The question then becomes "Are the new songs any good"? The answer is, of course, "Yes".

"Make Some Noise" leads off the set as a more pop oriented tune. It certainly has a catchy chorus, but it also has an awesome flute solo near the end that is worth the wait. It's no 5 star song, but it's still strong. Next, "Seen Better Days" is a nice tune that is very standard BBT. It is melodic, has great vocal harmonies, and has that great nostalgic feeling. "Edgelands" is a gorgeous, short piano track that hints at some of the more familiar melodies from "Part 1". It is the first new track that is 5-star for me. It's simply peaceful and beauteous. Lastly, then, "The Lovers" is the strongest of the new tracks. This 5-star masterwork utilizes neo-prog synth at points, and has a skillful, brilliant instrumental section in the 3rd quarter. This song instantly felt right.

So, with two incredible albums, two masterpiece tracks, and two strong tracks; this boxset is indeed somewhat of a new experience and is deserving of 5 stars overall. I'm rather impressed with BBT over the last couple years, and it will be interesting to see if they can keep up this level of quality in the near future.

At long last I got around to actually listen to these much raved about albums. Their English Electric albums being, as far as reviews go, brilliant pieces of music. Intrigued but somewhat sceptic I listened casually in short stabs, not really focusing on what actually went on in there.

I suppose I at first felt a bit reluctant due to what I perceived as a tad too poppy approach. No, there is nothing wrong with a bit of pop in prog. On the contrary, actually. However humble and receptive I proclaim myself to be, I did think, at first, that pop was the overall dominating style of music and that was not to my liking. But then I had barely listened.

This box contains the two full albums of English Electric, as you probably know already. The full body of the work plus a newly recorded song, "Make some noise". As many have stated already, that song is not their greatest work. It certainly isn't a favorite of mine, I can tell you. From a pure art perspective the box is beautifully made. It's black cover with the rusty emblem on the front is magnificent. The box is constructed as a book, containing details about the recordings, lyrics and the history behind it all. It is, for sure, a beautiful box and packed with amazing photos and stories. Really stunning.

The music, then? The packaging is all very well but what about the music? That is all that matters in the end, no matter how well you package it. Forget what I wrote about this being pop. I mean, it is. In some respects, but it is pure prog. Big Big Train possess a pop sensibility that matches anything the big bands of the 70's and 80's could muster. Genesis, Yes, Marillion... They all had that feeling for writing complex yet (at times) accessible and melodic pieces of music within the framework of prog. That is exactly what BBT does. And in a glorious way, at that. Now, after really having listened to the music, I can tell you it wasn't all love love at first (aural) sight. It came to me, after a while.

The first track I really came to grips with was "East coast racer", the longest epic of the entire duo of English electric. It is a fantastic work of art, the entire 15.45 minutes of it's duration. I really came to terms with the whole album by way of examining the second part of the saga that is English electric. "Worked out" is brilliant, as is "The lovers" with it's stabs of electric piano (played JUST the right way, the way that makes me shiver), the wonderfully melodic "Leopards" and so on. The songs unfolded before my eyes, revealing a kingdom and a plethora of moods and progressive brilliance. After this brekthrough, which came rather quickly I must add, my defences were dismantled and all of my soul lay bare for the invasion of BBT:s exquisite brand of music. Influences ranges from The Kinks, by way of Genesis and the 70's style of prog into the 80's and combines folk, prog, pop into a sense of timelessness that is overpowering and thrilling. (There is even traces of The Byrds in the song "Hedgerow".)

This box, containing the two parts of English electric, is, I think, quite the essential part of any prog collection, if you are into melodic, utterly british (an essential part of their music and a part I love more than anything) and carefully constructed music. It is so well conceived throughout and full of great harmonies, musical intricacy and grandeur, really, that it is hard to not being, at least, smitten by it's honesty and sincerity. I feel overwhelmed and actually very grateful to BBT for putting so much love and energy into this project, allowing me to submerge myself into genial music as this.

In conclusion, this is a brilliant collection of two of the most brilliant pieces of prog made in contemporary times. Maybe not breaking new ground (then again, not many do) but they claim a musical territory that is genuine and personal. A claim of musical territory named Big Big Train, where their own brand of prog ecology is flourishing and reaching for the heavens. I better stop now, before growing all soppy on you all.

Just a last word, give the music a serious listen. Really, do. I implore you.