What should have been seen as a crowning achievement for UK proggers Big Big Train instead turned into tragedy when longtime lead vocalist David Longdon died suddenly after an accident in his home just two months before their new album Welcome to the Planet was set to be released. Coming just a year after their previous full-length Common Ground, Welcome to the Planet now will probably be remembered more as Longdon's final statement rather than what it should be, as quite possibly Big Big Train's finest moment. The late vocalist put in one of his finest performances here, and the rest of the band, including Nick D'Virgilio, Dave Foster, Clare Lindley, Rikard Sjoblom, Gregory Spawton, and others who contributed mightily to the music, can and should all feel confident that this is a real work of brilliance in the career of a band that has had many bright moments. David's confident vocal delivery soars over the top of prog-rock gems such as "Made From Sunshine", "Lanterna", "Proper Jack Froster", the gorgeous "Oak and Stone" (sounding like a young Peter Gabriel), and the adventurous, slightly bluesy title track, which also features the sultry Carly Bryant on vocals. Biting electric guitars, lush acoustic guitar, a wealth of keyboards, violin, brass, flutes, drums, percussion, and bass make up the instrumentation, and it's all layered spectacularly. There are also a couple delicious instrumentals in the form of "Bats in the Bellfry" and "A Room With No Ceiling", both highly enjoyable and add to the variety found throughout the album.
Where Big Big Train goes from here is anyone's guess, but despite the huge loss of Longdon, let's hope they take some time to grieve before hopefully returning to make new music for us once again. In the meantime, this is one of 2022's must hear prog-rock releases. RIP David Longdon.
Track Listing
1.
Made From Sunshine 04:04
2.
The Connection Plan 03:55
3.
Lanterna 06:29
4.
Capitoline Venus 02:27
5.
A Room With No Ceiling 04:52
6.
Proper Jack Froster 06:46
7.
Bats In The Belfry 04:54
8.
Oak and Stone 07:12
9.
Welcome To The Planet 06:41
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