After a splendid "English Electric" first name in 2012, Big Big Train pulls out a second phase all - as successful - in March 2013. But how do they do? Prog is a genre supposedly dead and buried for over thirty years, and these guys act as if it had just been born, purity, creativity and incredible conviction! The music of Big Big Train is a symphonic and melodic progressive rock, to consistently sophisticated arrangements. An almost perfect synthesis of everything the "right" smart rock could produce better over the last fifty years. One of the great charms of this training elsewhere is that it never forgets his pop legacy, even when his refined compositions become more complex. After all, Genesis has started trying to imitate the Moody Blues, right? Well, BBT is unparalleled to lay your sweet chorus, with evanescent and bouncing bass chorus to McCartney, before engaging with astounding ease on unexpected musical territories. Yet - and please note this important detail - never has the impression of any copy or plagiarism. Everything sounds natural, and frankly: obvious. BBT is indeed only the product of a long line of Anglo-Saxon musicians passionate, capable of the greatest instrumental prowess as the most beautiful harmonics deluges. A rare group. This "Part Two" therefore brings 7 pieces cut from the finest water. Of particular note, East Coast Racer which opens the album, a mini suite of 15 minutes devoted to a legendary locomotive (obviously), while twists and turns, with a nice refrain and subtly brought a grand final. Just as remarkable, Swan Hunter, the second piece, is one of the great strengths of this album that do not count low. A beautiful nostalgic song about shipyard workers that carries you with irresistible lyricism. Here again, the singer David Longdon proved his formidable talent. In fact, all participants always appear above reproach. And the rest of the drive will continue in the same tone, with often very present guitars, flute passages, a few layers of mellotron, the folkisants interludes, rope beaches, solis air, and all kinds of those little moments delicious that make great records. Do not listen to bad bedfellows who accuse Big Big Train to be imitators of Genesis, listening to this album you'll see just how bad this is meaningless cliché. Specialized websites are already wondering about whether it's this drive, or the excellent Raven Steven Wilson, who will be elected best prog album of the year. Personally, although I am a fan of awesome bespectacled, I would have struggled to answer that question.
