NEW ALBUMS
BIG BIG TRAIN Common Ground
Prog history buffs turn an eye to current events
ENGLISH ELECTRIC RECORDINGS
7/10
This neo-prog institution has a reputation for extrapolating skilfully turned, multi-part prog yarns from obscure historical episodes. Common Ground’s opener instead takes a more contemporary focus, as “The Strangest Times” places us in March 2020 waiting for “the PM’s 5pm address”. The accompanying piano-led romp is stirring and immediate, but the scene is set a little too prosaically. They’re on stronger form elsewhere as “Atlantic Cable” weaves vocal harmonies and instrumental flourishes around the story of the first transatlantic phone lines. “Black With Ink”’s meditation on the destruction of ancient libraries is similarly powerful, while “Dandelion Clock”’s lament to ageing, gorgeous piano reverie “Headwaters” and shapeshifting instrumental workout “Apollo” show three more sides to a versatile creative force.