Big Big Train - Common Ground (2 LP)
- LP
- 2 piece(s)
- 2021
- 9 tracks
- 1 uur, 2 min
- progressive rock
Common Ground
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3.0
Average of 2 reviews
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Kicking off with the energetic and pop-rock flavored "The Strangest Times", it's clear that "Common Ground" is going to stand out from Big Big Train's previous works. While I'm not particularly drawn to lyrics focused on current events, as they can feel less impactful over time, musically this album delivers one of BBT's most vibrant and upbeat opening tracks. "All The Love We Can Give" has a familiar Spock's Beard vibe, reminiscent of their "Octane" era, which makes sense since it's written by D'Virgilio. Although it lacks a standout melody, it's skillfully driven by Nick's rhythmic prowess and introduces a new, fresher, and heavier sound to BBT's music, especially in the section starting with "The storm's coming...". "Black With Ink" shines with Carly Bryant's excellent lead vocals and a chord progression that reminds me of some nostalgic eighties pop tune I can't quite recall. Meanwhile, "Dandelion Clock" showcases Longdon embodying his most soulful Peter Gabriel-like persona in years. "Headwaters" is a breathtaking, Debussy-inspired gem that feels too brief, yet perfectly dreamy for a cozy afternoon with your favorite tea, serving as an ideal prelude to the instrumental brilliance of "Apollo", undoubtedly one of the album's standout tracks. I've always appreciated BBT's ability to transform seemingly cold engineering inspirations into soulful musical masterpieces, and "Atlantic Cable" is a prime example, featuring exquisite guitar work that makes it a worthy addition to BBT's epic repertoire. "Endnote" wraps up the album on a melancholic, bittersweet note, blending delicate moments of serenity and peace. All in all, "Common Ground" might not be my top Big Big Train album, but it's a bold and refreshing take on their sound, staying true to the band's essence while feeling fresh.
Kicking off with the upbeat and energetic "The Strangest Times", it's clear that "Common Ground" is going to stand out from Big Big Train's previous records. While I'm not particularly drawn to lyrics that focus on current events, as they can feel dated over time, the music here is one of BBT's most vibrant and uplifting moments, especially for an album opener. "All The Love We Can Give" could easily fit into any Spock's Beard album from the "Octane" era, which makes sense since it's written by D'Virgilio. Although it lacks a standout melody, it's well-driven by Nick's rhythmic prowess and introduces a new, fresher, and heavier sound to BBT's music, particularly in the section starting with "The storm's coming...". "Black With Ink" shines with Carly Bryant's excellent lead vocals and a chord progression that reminds me of some old eighties pop tune I can't quite recall. Meanwhile, "Dandelion Clock" showcases Longdon embracing his best Peter Gabriel-inspired, soulful persona in years. "Headwaters" is a breathtakingly beautiful, Debussy-like piece that feels too brief, perfect for a dreamy rainy afternoon with your favorite tea, and serves as an ideal prelude to the instrumental brilliance of "Apollo", undoubtedly one of the album's standout tracks. I've always appreciated BBT's ability to draw inspiration from seemingly cold subjects like engineering and transform them into soulful, captivating music. "Atlantic Cable" is a prime example, featuring exquisite guitar work that makes it a worthy addition to BBT's impressive list of epics. "Endnote" wraps up the album on a melancholic, bittersweet note, filled with delicate and beautiful moments of serenity and peace. All in all, "Common Ground" might not be my favorite Big Big Train album, but it's a bold and refreshing take on the band's sound, staying true to their essence while feeling new.
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