When this CD first arrives, give yourself some dedicated time and listen to it from end to end - in one sitting. Your reaction - like mine - might be something like "Well I'll be damned!"

That surprise is driven by a familiarity with Big Big Train's previous work. Those CDs were good - but The Difference Machine is in a different league. It's stronger, more interesting, more melodic, more ... ballsy! And despite the increased power and aggression, there's also more more sophistication and, dare we say, a bit more bombast that will ensure it finds a place in many progressive fans' favorites lists.

There's an abundance of 'Crimson inspired dissonance that gives it an edge that was previously missing, and a few sections - such as most of "Summer's Lease" - which will have you thinking classic Genesis. In fact Sean Filkins's voice lends a Collins-era Genesis tone to the vocal sections - thanks to a sort of reedy timbre that permeates a well controlled, delivery. Notwithstanding those Genesis references, this is third wave progressive rock - and not neo.

Many passages feature classic 'Trons, but they're used in a modern, powerful context that yields a blending of old and new. But it's the extensive use of viola, sax (Alto and Tenor), flute and Hammond that give The Difference Machine a wonderful refinement and some of its more important textures.

The album is arranged in a sequence of short-song followed by long-song, and although the 15-minute "Perfect Cosmic Storm" is clearly the standout track, it's hard pin down any other favorites. There's enough variety to keep your interest, yet it maintains its character throughout. It isn't a concept piece - rather, it follows a theme: Per Spawton, it examines chaos theory. You've heard it before - a butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazon and there are hurricanes in Florida ... well all of the songs describe events that occur within a moment in time, where small events can have huge effects. You'll have to hunt for those references, though - they aren't very apparent.

Besides the band's 6-man lineup, including his own excellent compositional skills and his keyboard and guitar work, Spawton has recruited well established progressive rock artists Dave Meros, Nick D'Virgilio and Pete Trewavas - who add further character and credence to the record. Listen to "Pick Up If You're There" and you'll quickly pick up the powerful, extremely melodic bass lines - courtesy of bass powerhouse Pete Trewavas.

The Difference Machine is one of the better CDs of 2007, and ought to put Big Big Train on the tracks to critical and commercial success.