Big Big Train - The Infant Hercules demo

Demo Review

Big Big Train
"The Infant Hercules"

Rating 95%

reviewed by Charlie O'

Way hay! They're back! Yes, just pulling into platform Prog is the latest and possibly the greatest (so far) tape from those "Good Time Boys" from Sunny, Proggy Bournemouth. Big Big Train. And cor, wot a stunna it is! If their last tape "From The River To The Sea" was described by France's "L'Escargot" gentleman's magazine as "...l'aural equivellence de l'intercity Un Deux Cinq" then this must be the equivalent of that poncy fast French train, only English and unquantifiably better!

The tape steams into action with the classic Big Big Train strains of "Dismounting Tigers" (a disgusting and dangerous South-Coast hobby). But this is much better than ever before! Believe me. I know I do. Martin Reads' singing has improved a great deal and the lyrics, oh the lyrics. they need to be heard to be heard!

This then kicks into the "Sold On You" ish melodical charmonistics of "A Show Of Strength" It schmooses into your mind like something small and, er schmoosey. A classic tail of "Girl meets Boy, Boy meats Girl, Girl buggers off and finds religion and ends up living in sin with a priest or something". Next up is the one Destiny has ordained to become a live classic if they ever play live!). "Lincoln Green", with its refrained silphurging and politically correct lyrics. A slow and moving number that burns it way into your heart like a cross shaped branding iron. The "token" instrumental "Red Five" closes the first side of the tape. It's a metailiprog expulsion paying homage to the greatest driver to come from the Isle of Man and sod off to Miami to save paying taxes. Mr Mansell, or Nige as his mates call him. A good way to end side one.

And "Far Distant Thing" is an excellent way to start side too. Sod that. it's an excellent way to start the day, if not your life! The only problem with it is the fact that it was produced by Rob "Chainsnore" Aubrey (NEVER EVER let this man kip on your floor!). Only joking, it's good really. It's even been played on the radio (so they tell me). Then comes another acoustically green minded piece of prog with the wired moniker of "Sky End Fall". But this is just preparing you all for the finale. The epic. The majestic "Kingmaker" closes the tape in fine style. And in good length, as it clocks in at a grandiose NINE AND A HALF MINUTES in length. from one end to the other, with no gaps in it! And an English epic it is, telling tales of drinking tea and calling for Albion (and not West Bromwich, I hope).

The whole tape is a masterpiece, and has been firmly wedged into my car stereo for over a month now (well, until it got nicked!). It's nearly become part of my life, just as "The World" did.

Big Big Train score a deserved goal in the Progressive football game of life, pushing Southern England Rangers into a 3-2 lead over Stoke-On-Trent United. The balls in your court, now.