The roots of British progressive act Big Big Train can be traced back to the late '80s, when Gregory Spawton moved down from the Midlands to coastal Bournemouth and befriended Andy Poole. Bonding over a mutual love of classic prog bands like Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator, the two began writing and recording together, forming a musical partnership that would continue for decades. The veteran British ensemble's heady blend of progressive rock, post-rock, and thoughtful pop melodicism has drawn comparisons to artists like Marillion, XTC, and Spock's Beard. ~ Timothy Monger