Big Big Train - The Second Brightest Star (2 LP)

Big Big Train's eleventh studio album, "The Second Brightest Star," is a captivating journey through the realms of progressive rock and art rock, released on July 14, 2017, under the Eer label. This companion album to their previous releases, "Folklore" (2016) and "Grimspound" (2017), offers a rich blend of new material and reworked tracks, totaling an impressive 70 minutes of music.

The album opens with the title track, "The Second Brightest Star," a seven-minute epic that sets the tone for the rest of the record. Throughout the ten-track album, Big Big Train showcases their signature sound, characterized by intricate compositions, lush arrangements, and thought-provoking lyrics. Tracks like "Haymaking" and "Skylon" highlight the band's knack for creating engaging narratives, while "London Stone" and "The Leaden Stour" demonstrate their ability to craft memorable melodies.

"The Second Brightest Star" also features two extended sequences, "Brooklands Sequence" and "London Plane Sequence," which serve as musical journeys in their own right. These tracks, along with the rest of the album, showcase Big Big Train's prowess in blending progressive rock with elements of art rock and progressive metal, resulting in a sound that is both familiar and fresh.

The album's production is top-notch, with each instrument given ample space to shine. The result is a record that is as sonically pleasing as it is musically complex. Whether you're a longtime fan of Big Big Train or a newcomer to their music, "The Second Brightest Star" is sure to impress with its blend of creativity, skill, and heart.

This 2017 Limited Edition 2LP set is pressed on 180g Green vinyl.