Big Big Train's 2017 release, "The Second Brightest Star," is a sprawling, ambitious work that masterfully blends progressive rock, progressive metal, and art rock into a cohesive, engaging experience. Clocking in at just over an hour and ten minutes, this album is a testament to the band's ability to craft intricate, layered compositions that captivate and inspire.
From the opening notes of "The Second Brightest Star" to the final chords of "The Gentlemen’s Reprise," Big Big Train takes you on a journey through a landscape of rich, evocative soundscapes. The album's title track sets the stage with its soaring melodies and powerful rhythms, while tracks like "Haymaking" and "Skylon" showcase the band's knack for blending acoustic and electric elements to create a unique, dynamic sound.
"The Passing Widow" and "The Leaden Stour" delve into more introspective territories, with haunting vocals and delicate instrumentation that highlight the band's emotional depth. Meanwhile, "Terra Australis Incognita" and "Brooklands Sequence" demonstrate Big Big Train's prowess in crafting complex, multi-part suites that unfold like intricate tapestries of sound.
The album's closing tracks, "London Plane Sequence" and "The Gentlemen’s Reprise," bring the journey full circle, tying together the various themes and motifs that run throughout the record. With its rich, immersive sound and meticulous attention to detail, "The Second Brightest Star" is a standout achievement in the world of progressive rock and metal, and a must-listen for fans of the genre.
Vinylscout