Big Big Train - Woodcut (2026)
Woodcut is solid, carefully built modern prog — the kind that rewards attention but doesn’t demand obsession. I appreciate the ambition and the craft: the band clearly know how to construct long-form narratives, layer themes, and let arrangements breathe. At the same time, I never quite feel the urgency or inevitability that pushes a great prog concept into must-return territory. It’s engaging while it’s on, respectable throughout, but a little too comfortable in its own sprawl to fully take over.
Pros
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Strong compositional craft – Recurring motifs, tasteful orchestration, and a clear sense of structure across the album.
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Textural richness – Mellotron, violin, acoustic passages and electric sections are well balanced and rarely clumsy.
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Cohesive concept – The narrative frame gives the album purpose and consistency rather than feeling tacked on.
Cons
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Limited dramatic peaks – Few moments truly hit with the emotional or compositional payoff that top-tier prog delivers.
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Overextended runtime – The story justifies the length, but not every section earns it musically.
- Too polite at times – Everything is done “right,” but that also means very little feels risky or unsettling.
Genre: Progressive Rock
Country: UK
Final Verdict: 71% (Very Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 6th / 111
Highlight: Counting Stars
Made me think of:
Pendragon
IQ
Genesis
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