Is Folklore a good place to start with Big Big Train?

Yes, Folklore is recommended as a starting point for new Big Big Train listeners. Richly textured soundscapes intertwine with storytelling lyrics, evoking a sense of nostalgia and reverence for England's rural heritage. Released in 2016, Folklore marked Big Big Train's fifth studio album and solidified their status within the progressive rock revival. This album followed their critically acclaimed release, English Electric: Full Power, and showcased their growing penchant for intricate arrangements and lyrical depth.

Folklore works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and atmospheric background focus.

How many songs are on Folklore?

Folklore has 9 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Folklore

Big Big Train · 2016

68 min · 9 tracks · progressive rock

Richly textured soundscapes intertwine with storytelling lyrics, evoking a sense of nostalgia and reverence for England's rural heritage.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Folklore Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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London Plane — This track features lush instrumentation and detailed storytelling that encapsulates the album's exploration of English folklore and landscape.
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The Transit of Venus Across the Sun — With its epic structure and celestial themes, this song exemplifies the band's ability to fuse science with poetic imagery, making it a standout piece.
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Telling the Bees — This track beautifully intertwines personal narrative with folklore, showcasing the band's knack for merging emotional depth with historical context.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

Folklore combines storytelling with rich instrumentation, showcasing both compositional strength and cohesive themes.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features layered instrumentation, gradually building in complexity over its duration.
Several tracks incorporate folk elements, such as acoustic guitars and traditional melodies, which are interwoven with progressive rock structures.
The final track features a slow build-up that culminates in a rich orchestral arrangement, providing a sense of closure.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
atmospheric background focus
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Folklore solidified their status in progressive rock, gaining notable chart success.
Themes: English folklore· rural nostalgia· historical storytelling
Moods: Dreamy· Chill
Career context: Released in 2016, Folklore marked Big Big Train's fifth studio album and solidified their status within the progressive rock revival. This album followed their critically acclaimed release, English Electric: Full Power, and showcased their growing penchant for intricate arrangements and lyrical depth.
Stylistic neighbors: Transatlantic· The Flower Kings· Marillion