SCORCH

Dave Gregory could do no wrong in 2014 having also been involved with Big Big Train and their masterpiece Folklore. It's hard to decide which of those albums I prefer if they were to be in a 'prog off'! This one is very much guitar based and with no keys in evidence. As a big fan of keyboard bands like ELP, this could be a problem for me but really it isn't. This has garnered many so many happy listens on my i-pod as I strolled along Bournemouth promenade. The lush guitar tones , ultra tight rhythm section and lovely melodious vocal almost make me feel like I'm on the west coast of America rather than the parochial south coast of England! Favourite tracks are undoubtedly the 15 minute Garden State along with Binary Man (''all you add up to is one'') but all hits the mark. Superb album and seemingly will now their last release. BBT were beginning to gain some (dare I say) traction and Gregory's focus was being switched elsewhere.