Big Big Train - Common Ground

moshkito wrote: foregonillusions wrote: BBT's latest opus recently dropped, and somebody already cross-posted their review to the Archives. What are your thoughts so far? To reviewers, do you anticipate a positive, middling, or negative review in these nascent days? Hi, I've been trying to find a location where I might be able to listen to the whole thing, but so far, hearing a couple of songs on the tube, in general, I'm not impressed, and I'm already starting to feel like this is just another over blown band, that is very nice ... but it's ability and creativity is now ... forced ... in my estimation. The three pieces I have heard did not raise any attention or interest in the rest of the album at all, and I have given up looking. Honestly, while not great, it is a nice listen, but not enough to excite the inner muscles that have been hearing progressive and experimental music for almost 55 years. It's just sad to think that the only thing they can do is "songs" that might have a meaning or two ... like you and I don't have an opinion that we think makes great song copy?  I want something new ... something to shake my britches from here to heck and back ... and something "conventional" is not the way I do not think!

essexboyinwales wrote: ... Your review is a great example of why people should never be allowed to post a review within the first 6 months or 20 listens of an album

At the end of the day, some people like them and others don't.

^ never thought of them ever as being bombastic but then I am an ELP fan and these things are relative!

I'm rambling a bit , but I think there was a clear continuity and consistency from Underfall yard through to The Grand Tour . This is a bit different featuring female vocals and an odd Longdon baritone. I suspect the spell of having such a settled line up has now been broken. However try finding me a better track than The Transit of Venus across the Sun and you've done well. My feeling is that their peak was Folklore ( not a bad or remotely weak track in site) and that a very slow decline set in after that. Eventually all good things come to pass. Most bands best album is around the 4th or 5th (for the sake of argument I am avoiding everything pre Underfall Yard when the line up was different) and BBT are no different imo.