Big Big Train: Woodcut

Big Big Train are a band with which I have long had a (mostly) ambivalent relationship. I have never got into their particularly English brand of prog other that 2016’s Folklore which I absolutely adored. Everything before and after kinda passed me by, possibly because their music requires one to listen carefully and we all know that sometimes that isn’t my style.

I’m vaguely surprised to learn that Woodcut is apparently the band’s first out and out concept album. It tells the story of “The Artist,� who struggles with his art and life, ultimately creating a woodcut that draws him into a surreal, introspective journey. Erm…OK. Let’s go with that shall we? A book is supposedly forthcoming for more Woodcut-based fun for those interested.

The band’s current line-up consists of Alberto Bravin (Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Nick D’Virgilio (Drums, percussion, 12-string acoustic guitar, vocals), Oskar Holldorff (Keyboards, vocals), Clare Lindley (Violin, acoustic guitar, vocals), Paul Mitchell (Trumpet, piccolo trumpet, vocals), Rikard Sjöblom (Guitars, keyboards, vocals) and Gregory Spawton (Bass, bass pedals, 12-string acoustic guitar, Mellotron, vocals). The lyrics are a combination of Bravin, Spawton, D’Virgilio and Lindley and the album is produced and arranged by the very busy Alberto Bravin.

For me, Woodcut is one of those 'if you like this, you'll love that' albums. Other than no longer having the tragically departed and much missed David Longdon on vocals it sounds just like one might expect from a BBT long player. It meanders in the best possible BBT way, makes no concession to popular trends. It's soothing, on occasions almost to the point of being soporific then, as on “Arcadia" quite uplifting and joyful.

There is resolutely and proudly nothing new or groundbreaking on Woodcut which, in many ways is a strength. The band is never going to start rapping or adding funky beats and their determination to stick to their proggy 70s inspired roots is admirable but sometimes, as on “Warp and Weft� there is a definite sense of ho-humness about proceedings, then a glorious keyboard solo rears it's head followed by some tasty guitar.

To conclude, if you like BBT or say, Pattern Seeking Animals or quiet Dream Theater then Woodcut might just be for you.

Track Listing
1. Inkwell Black 00:56
2. The Artist 07:16
3. The Lie of the Land 02:55
4. The Sharpest Blade 04:16
5. Albion Press 05:46
6. Arcadia 05:46
7. Second Press 00:37
8. Warp and Weft 03:45
9. Chimaera 05:37
10. Dead Point 05:28
11. Light Without Heat 03:22
12. Dreams in Black and White 02:34
13. Cut and Run 06:19
14. Hawthorn White 01:54
15. Counting Stars 05:40
16. Last Stand 03:34

Added: June 25th 2026
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Big Big Train online
Hits: 14
Language: english

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