New spins…
BIG BIG TRAIN
Unlucky 13? No chance. Classic prog’s modern-day flag bearers have survived a career-threatening crisis to deliver one of their finest albums yet.
Words: Grant Moon Illustration: Pete Fowler
Edited by Dave Everley prog.reviews@futurenet.com
This album nearly didn’t happen. After the shock exits of Dave Gregory, Rachel Hall and Danny Manners in 2020, Big Big Train’s Greg Spawton and David Longdon wondered if the band might have run their course. Ultimately they realised there was more to be done, and the 13th BBT LP is a lucky turn indeed. Common Ground is the sound of the core members – Spawton, Longdon, Nick D’Virgilio and Rikard Sjöblom – regrouping, refining and hunkering down, together. With the help of some new faces and trusted sidemen, they’ve distilled the band’s essence and forged some of the best music yet.