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Big Big Train
English Electric (Part One)
(2013 - English Electric Recordings - UK
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http://bigbigtrain.com/main/discography/ee1/

 

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Big Big Train have come up with the best progressive rock release these ears have heard in the last seven or more years. If you love the classic Genesis of the 70's, then you’ll faint over this. “English Electric Part One” is great from start to finish. I keep thinking this band can’t do better than the last recording, but I continue to be incorrect. Happily so.
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This is unreal at times. With songs like ‘Winchester From St Giles Hill’ (track 3) that would have to melt any Gabriel era Genesis fan’s heart, to ‘A Boy in Darkness’ (track 7), that blows the doors off, with part jazz rock and progressive rock onslaught, which made me almost exhale my tongue. WOW! How do they keep writing these giant sized gems? After that mighty sword, they bring this masterpiece to an end with another gorgeous tune (‘Hedgerow’), with lush vocals and melody, that once again, equals the early king of the hill Genesis. Yes, the whole thing is that great! You’ll be sucked in from the opening cut.
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BBT have no fear of multiple changes in one title. Whereas I have heard endless progressive bands (all styles) string together many parts in one extended song that just don’t work well, BBT have the know how and the smart coats of many colors, to write as well as the best bands in the world, in every composition. It all plays out so natural at that. It’s increasingly hard to say this about a band in the last few years, but “English Electric Part One” does not have a weak song in the bunch. It’s 100% lovable and is majestic and stunning.
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Another aspect about the recording is how many times I thought the song was ending but changed pace, atmosphere, and/or direction. I’m always clapping for joy over an album such as this. The composers Greg Spawton, David Longdon, and Andy Poole ( also the producer) fully understand the importance and the proper way to use dynamics, timing, and the staff lines. Execution is immaculate and brilliant! Hat’s off to the superlative arranging too.
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I don’t want to choke you on adjectives but if any progressive rock band in 2012 deserves it today, it is this band and their new release. In fact this is so good that each time I have listened to it, I could not listen to anything else afterwards, simply because I refused to pollute the pristine and refreshing feeling I got from it. Anyways, nothing would compare unless I went back to some select 70's best of the best. I can’t recommend this one enough. For these ears, and in the progressive rock category, it’s 2012's recording of the year. ULTIMATE HIGH THRONE RECOMMENDATION!!!
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  © Reviewed by Lee Henderson on October 28th, 2012
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BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
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This magazine exists on kind donations and music related advertisements (although the ads are limited and in no way accepted for favors in reviews). All funds are used to pay for website, domain, and the endless hours of work that is required to keep the reviews and various information  in process. Any donation is extremely appreciated. Thank you.
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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