Big Big Train Woodcut Review PV131
Big Big Train - Woodcut Progressive Voyages Review PV131
Woodcut is the latest and 16th overall studio recording from.Big Big Train what is different here though is that this is their first full Concept Album whilst over Album may have featured songs that were linked here they are all part of an overall Concept and narrative.
Big Big Train's journey has been a long and complicated one, At times they have undergone dramatic changes over those years, None more so than the sad accident they took the life of their Singer David Longdon who was truly starting to reap the dividends of their strong work ethic and increasing presence withiin the world of Progressive Rock, Nonetheless after a period of mourning and reflection. They soldered on with a revised line up and the addition of ex PFM vocalist Alberto Bravin taking the helm on lead Vocals al9ng with being a major contributor to their subsequent The Last Of Us album.
This latest album is Woodcut comes from a visit made by Alberto Bravin and Gregory Spawton to a museum that housed artworks by famous Norwegian Artist Edmund Much. He of The Scream fame.
This museum in Oslo houses not only Munch's Original artworks. It also contains the wood carvings that Munch used in the making of his artworks, These artifacts started a Train of thought in Alberto and Greg for music based on a concept of a woodcutter who has doubts about his art, His ways of working and even ofhis own self worth and value.
Whilst the story is fictional, You can however draw parallels with the Big Big Trains own story, Especially their resilience in the face of disaster and upset and their desire to carry on.
The album is excellent and comprises of 16 interlinked tracks, There are recurring themes and musical motifs that embellish the narrative, The vocals are mainly by Alberto although others also feature, The music as you would expect is exquisite, powerful and memorable.
I feel the the bar has been raised significantly upwards here with this wonderful evocative performance, Their assured delivery, This is almost certainly going to appear positively in pmany folks best of 2026 lists and the already announced live performances are definitely ones to catch this time around.
The album is I feel best heard in one complete sitting so you can gain maximum impact and effect of the fine music, from the gentle opening instrumental Inkwell black and the subsequent first Track The Artist with its very upfront and memorable Bass motif Riff / Lick that makes a strong impression, As does Rikards fiery guitar lines. The Sharpest Blade is another important song in the narrative, Sung by Claire Lindlay, The song is about hurts and how they impact you, Albion Press is about a Printing Press and the process of printing watching show it changes and takes shape, again the bass work here is masterful playing an different form of the bass kick on The Artist. An example of how the music is cyclical with certain melodies and motifs reappearing to reinforce the narrative of the story. Arcadia has a magnificent Synthnline and violin motif for instance..
Second Press is a further instrumental to link the sections, with a grand violin line, Warp and Weft has Nick D'virgilio driving the rhythm along as well as singing on this odd tempo track. Thing get even more complex as we enter an section of the album that addresses the woodcutters deepest fears and his insecurities laid bare, I found these tracks quite difficult to digest but realise they are important part of the entire narrative of the album.
Where in contrast I found the latter part of the album deeply satisfying especially Cut and Run with yet more strong bass lines and moody synthesiser lines and stylings, The guitar parts are top notch here too it must be said.
The instrumental Hawthorn White has a strong sense of a pastoral sound to it as if leading to a conclusion of sorts with the following Counting Stars and following song Last Stand that draw this wonderful album to its conclusion. With the graceful guitar break that leads into the final song Last Stand, with it strident opening motif and sound that represents a completed journey, it may only be a short song but it is a very fine conclusion a positive reflection on the journey made from doubt self reflection and on to ultimately triumph,
It is an album that you need to listen to several times to fully grasp That aid I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone, As this is a masterful piece of work with much fine music and intelligence to the mix Most enjoyable.
Info here: https://bigbigtrain.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith Sunday 22nd February 2026
