NEW!!! Big Big Train “The Likes Of Us”

[@killianlpc]

It's a stunning album, got the same feel about listening to this when I first heard the brilliant An Hour Before It's Dark by Marillion. Superb modern Prog, one reviewer said it as almost Genesis from 1973 got back into time machine to produce an album for 2024. Alberto is a wonderful vocalist, and you can feel the late David's spirit in this record. A brilliant album.

[@entil2001]

I love this album! I picked it up based on this video and was not disappointed at all. “Miramare” might be my track of the year so far.

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, every time I listen to that song I like it more. What a band!!!!

[@bluesful]

Haven't stopped listening to this since it was released last week. It really is a fantastic album.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s a wonderful record. Best thing I’ve heard this year!!!

[@bluesful]

@@TheProgCorner can't argue with that. This album and The Smile's - Wall of Eyes are easily the best releases of 2024 thus far for my subjective taste :)

[@TheProgCorner]

I love that Smile album!!!

[@lawrenceheadrick]

I saw them this past weekend in jersey! Never been to a concert when after every song was a standing ovation!! This core of musician's might be their ticket for Greatness! ✌️

[@TheProgCorner]

Lucky you!!!!

[@bbchronicles736]

Love BBT, my favorite modern era prog band. Sensational discography (2009 and after). They've been through a lot these past several years, but seem to keep coming back (I thought Common Ground was right up there among their very best, although English Electric Full Power and Folklore are still tops). Great to hear that the new album and lineup continues on with their excellence. Can't wait to hear the new album in full.

[@susancioffi2505]

Love this band from the very beginning!

[@TheProgCorner]

It took me a while but I’m hooked on BBT!!!

[@kenl2091]

'The Last Eleven' is probably a similar concept to 'The Shallow-enders'. In football (soccer if you must) the main school team is the 'first eleven' so the no-hopers/shallow-enders will be last to be picked - hence, the last eleven. Might be entirely wrong but it's a nice nostalgic idea for a song.

[@TheProgCorner]

No, I think that’s it!!!

[@dagreatstoney.5869]

Number 1 ,all the way. By the way , your channel introduced me to yes, have no clue how I missed them , they class. So A big, thank you, from a metal head, who listens to everything he can

[@TheProgCorner]

Oh cool. That makes my day!!!

[@markspooner1224]

Glad you approve having already pre ordered!

[@TheProgCorner]

I love this one!!!!

[@petermcguiness1055]

Lookin' forward to this Scot ❤

[@jeffschielka7845]

Happy Birthday Mr Hackett!! There's a section from Genesis on the community page to leave comments for Steve. I wonder what I wrote? Lol!👍🙂😀😎🔔

[@TheAlbumReviewchannel]

My hero Jeff!

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@TheAlbumReviewchannel Thanks Dave!👍😎

[@hectorestrada9677]

Second time in you channel, the first time was to see a Flower Kings discography evaluation. Love your energy, love your tastes in music. Keep it on.

[@TheProgCorner]

Thanks, Hector!!! I appreciate that!!!

[@UFO314159]

I never heard of Big Big Train until past few weeks, thanks to KZbin commentators. I listened to "Love is the Light," and will definitely be listening to the entire album on the first. (Also, don't forget the 50th anniversary of the first Rush album on March first as well.)

[@TheProgCorner]

50 years of RUSH!!! Amazing band.

[@arnaudb.7669]

Love "Grand Tour" can't wait for this new record!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

Grand Tour and Folklore are my two favorites!!!!

[@AngryCalvin]

Between 2009-2019 this was my favorite Prog band. Ironically this lineup surged during the long break from Porcupine Tree. I feel a Steve Wilson/Porcupine Tree influence as well as classic Genesis of course in this era. I felt the same exact way you did. about the last 2 albums after the departure of Dave Gregory. It was like Steve Hackett leaving Genesis all over again. The Underfall Yard and English Electric Full Power are must haves for Prog fans. This band made me forget about a classic Genesis reunion. What this band did was better. Really high quality stuff.

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍

[@sunlightglider6772]

I like Big Big Train a lot x

[@TheProgCorner]

Me too!!!!!

[@blakel2174]

Y'know Alberto is a great singer, but when the singles were released I wasn't too sure about him in this band, but hearing the whole thing a few times I gotta say, bravo Alberto. I don't think they could've gotten anyone better. I also gotta say, that synth solo in Breathe the Masts, I personally don't think they're too too many times where you can call synthesizers "soulful" but that solo was beaming with soulfulness. Absolutely brilliant

[@TheProgCorner]

I agree!!!!

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

Can't wait for this album. I LOVED Welcome To The Planet. Not sure about the vocals on the new music but I'll check it out.

[@TheProgCorner]

There’s a lot of “vocal by committee” here and it works!!!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

New album. Good to know. Keep rocking

[@TheProgCorner]

And it’s a good one too…

[@PJprog]

Yet another early contender for album of the year... Beneath the Mast is worth the entrance fee alone !! So pleased they've come back re-invigorated. It's fantastic Scot like you say. Regna's Cinema still slightly nudges ahead for me.. just. Awesome thanks Scot. 😍

[@TheProgCorner]

But Cinema is technically a 2023 release…

[@PJprog]

@@TheProgCorner Oh yes , of course...I just can't stop playing it though !! It's got old bones.. like me ! Love it. 👍🎶

[@grahamhowes6904]

Excellent album - saw the new line-up twice and they were brilliant. Second time Maria Barbieri was standing in for Dave Foster - hope she returns she is an amazing guitarist. The future is bight!

[@TheProgCorner]

Maria is amazing!!!

[@avrilconacher]

Looking forward to hearing the new album .I was also disappointed by the last two releases but it looks like they are back on top form.

[@TheProgCorner]

Absolutely!!!!!

[@Prog-t9d]

Love the new record. Prog lives….

[@TheProgCorner]

Oh so good!!!!

[@TheAlbumReviewchannel]

Great review Scot. I’ll be doing mine later this week I think. Some good tracks on it no mistake. Take care fella. All the best. Dave✅✅

[@TheProgCorner]

❤️❤️❤️

[@denno800]

Hi Scot, I would appreciate it if you would do a ranking of Big Big Train's albums. Greetings!

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s coming!!!!!!!

[@littlestevey4172]

​@@TheProgCorner Can't wait!

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Scot! Hey everyone! If you like what Scot does please like, comment, subscribe, share, ring that bell. 👍🙂😀😎🔔

[@TheProgCorner]

Thanks, Jeff!!!!!

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@TheProgCorner My pleasure Scot. 👍😎

[@robcroft5930]

You are almost as enthusiastic as I am about BBT! I do agree the brass is an integral part - but I do miss the flute. Thanks for the review! Cant wait to see them in Buffalo.....

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍

[@stephanevillatte5970]

the interview and now the review...well done Scot...I've never heard 'bout Big Big train before...here in France...we still got one or two shops where we can easily find inside out releases the day they came out...ah I recommend Mary halvorson's cloudward...have you heard about her?...something tells me that this album could speak to you Scot!!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

No! I haven’t heard that yet but I’m going to check it out now!!! 👍👍👍

[@Driver2616]

For me, The Difference Machine is right up there, vying with The Underfall Yard, for top spot as the best BBT album. I’d love if they’d revisit it with a remix, remaster and reissue on vinyl…

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

Have you done an album ranking episode for Big Big Train?

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s coming!!!!

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

@@TheProgCornerThat's awesome. Can't wait. Was also thinking it would be fun to have a ranking of their best epic songs. Thanks as always for your tireless work for the prog world.

[@TigerMtnKing]

🤩

[@littlestevey4172]

Got into this band during the dreaded lockdowns in 2020 and didn't look back. My favorite song will always be East Coast Racer, and then i explored more after that. The last two albums were too poppy and not too much prog elements , but im hoping this new one will be more like the earlier album sounds before English Electric.. It seems to rock a bit more! Thanks for review!!

[@TheProgCorner]

Oh yeah! This one rights the ship.

[@coreycrossman3447]

Basic AOR music with some Chris Squire sounding bass and some interumental passages

[@TheProgCorner]

I think they’re a little more than basic AOR but they have some of that in their music.

[@ScottAMedina]

Yeah, man! I am completely smitten with this album! Might be my favorite BBT ever. I just think Alberto brings a new element into the songwriting that I actually like more than David, much to my surprise. And unlike you, I LOVE "Love Is The Light", it's another high point for me after "Miramare", so I'm all good! Greg gets one of the year's top bass performances, too, wow what a monster. Thanks to BBT!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m shocked at how good this is!!! Miramare is fabulous. The whole thing really works as a cohesive piece. The magic is back. Again, I’m shocked.

[@Mister_Jahn]

Gonna studio nerd out on the fact that Rikard Sjöblom was using a Electrovoice PL76 vocal mic in the Oblivion video. Its a very funky choice as they have to be modified to use phantom power as the batteries that ran them arent available any more. I have one... not certain what any of that really means? but proggers do appreciate some excessive granular detail in most things...

[@TheProgCorner]

Very interesting!!!!! I never cared for phantom power mics…one more thing to go wrong.

[@WillHsiung]

You may say that BBT is not BBT without brass, but the show you will be attending only has one trumpet player while Buffalo will have the full section for logistical reasons. So is that something you'll tolerate now and would it have been a dealbreaker in the past?

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s kind of a deal breaker but I might still attend. I have not bought tickets yet…

[@WillHsiung]

​@@TheProgCornerThe Fort Wayne show is sold out. Are you considering going to Buffalo?

[@andrewlongshaw2128]

Hey Scot. How you doing? I know this is going to sound weird but I only have Underfall... and English Electric parts I and II. I feel old! I used to stay up all night to watch Superbowl (don't forget the time difference in England) Not anymore... well, maybe if Green Bay were in it??? Oh, and if there was a decent half time act!

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, Usher was terrible. Even worse than The Who…

[@andrewlongshaw2128]

For me, the best halftime show ever was Bruce Springsteen.

[@TheProgCorner]

He was great. So was Prince. And I’ll throw ole Tom Petty into the mix…

[@andrewlongshaw2128]

I definitely concur my friend, and I'll even spice it up with some Bruno Mars.

[@tonyhonour665]

There’s no apparent about it. 15 albums is right. The early stuff is very good, check it out.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Gathering Speed and The Difference Machine. The others…

[@tonyhonour665]

@@TheProgCorner i hear you. Maybe it’s the British aspect makes me hear them differently. My favourite is English Boy Wonders.

[@TheProgCorner]

Really? I haven’t heard that in a while…

[@tonyhonour665]

@@TheProgCorner of the early albums yes. The Underfall Yard definitely lifted the band to a completely different level but the early albums are better than they are given credit for. I think so anyway. Great review of the new album by the way, can’t wait to get my copy on March 15; it’s delayed as my supplier is sending it with the Tull release on that day. Saves on postage!

[@carlwmpylu]

Unlike many, I thought the last two albums were excellent and it's good to know - after such a positive review - that the new one seems to be up to scratch too. Always a bit of a worry when a band loses such a massive talent as David Longdon, but it sounds like Alberto has managed to fill the shoes of his predecessor with some gusto.

[@TheProgCorner]

Indeed he has!!!

[@gorancabrajic3240]

Great review, I must be honest I never liked BBT, there are always too many pop moments that I can't stand. I've listened to the two released tracks and I'm not a fan. But that is the beauty of music there is something for everyone, especially in our dear prog world. Cheers my friend and prog on.

[@TheProgCorner]

Funny how that works!!!!!

[@gorancabrajic3240]

@@TheProgCorner True, but I will definitely check it out, no matter what I have a great respect for the band.

[@dougreed2257]

@goranacabrajic i'm at a loss to understand why youv'e commented with you negativity,if you don't like them why did you watch video?? Most of us here like BBT, as that cimment about not liking "their pop" sorry they are anything but,you are missing a lot not liking them,but hey,it is what it is😟

[@andrewwild7969]

Nick doesn't sing lead on Last Eleven - it's Alberto

[@TheProgCorner]

Are you sure?

[@andrewwild7969]

@@TheProgCorner 100% - I think NGV sings low harmonies on some lines and counter-melodies, but it's Alby's voice whose is more prominent - listen to 'find a place to call our own' at 7.00 mins

[@TheProgCorner]

Greg Spawton told me it was Nick so I need to listen more carefully? I know Alberto comes in at some point but I think the beginning is Nick…

[@andrewwild7969]

@@TheProgCorner hmmm - I'll ask Greg myself :)

[@TheProgCorner]

Please do!!! Inquiring minds want to know!!!!

[@ilabelle1]

IDK Scot. For some reason I just can’t get all excited about this band. I have a few of their albums, English Electric (the whole thing), Folklore, Grimspound and the live Merchants of Light. If I listen I tend to go for Merchants. But I really don’t listen all that often. I would much rather listen to those albums behind you. For me Arabs are a much more exciting band. Just my personal taste.

[@TheProgCorner]

We all like what we like!!!! 👍👍👍

[@ilabelle1]

@@TheProgCorner And some of us even like the same things. BTW I’ve been listening to Culpeper’s Orchard. I love it.👍

[@TheProgCorner]

Such a cool bandvbbbbb