THE DIFFERENCE MACHINE (digipack)

ALBUM REVIEW
On The Difference Machine the band has invited famous progrock guest musicians: Nick D'Virgilio (drums/vocals) and Dave Meros from Spock's Beard and Pete Trewavas (bass) from Marillion/Transatlantic. The album contains six compositions, three have a running time between 12 and 15 minutes and I can tell you, never a dull moment: from dreamy with violin-Mellotron and compelling with fiery guitar/choir-Mellotron/saxophone to a final part with propulsive guitar and organ in Perfect Cosmic Storm, an inspired contribution by Nick and Pete and great work on keyboards and guitar in the alternating Pick Up If You're There and wonderful choir-Mellotron in the moving Salt Water falling On Uneven Ground. The final track Summer's Lease emphasizes Big Big Train their compositional skills, especially creating pleasant atmospheres and a tasteful instrumentation: first a dreamy climate with twanging guitar, mellow organ and saxophone, then more compelling and lush with Mellotron and saxophone and in the end fragile work on the piano, beautiful! (E.Neuteboom - Progarchives)