The Difference Machine

The Difference Machine is the fifth studio album by the English progressive rock band Big Big Train. It was released on 30 August 2007, by English Electric Recordings. TDM is a concept album exploring chaos theory, communication, failure, death, loss, and bereavement. The story is of the death of an individual, which was linked to an exploding star in a distant galaxy. There are more influences of Van der Graaf Generator, Genesis, Mew, Sigur Rós and King Crimson throughout the album.

The Difference Machine
Studio album by Big Big Train
Released	30 August 2007
Genre	Progressive rock, new prog
Length	58:36
Label	English Electric
Big Big Train chronology
Gathering Speed (2004) The Difference Machine (2007) The Underfall Yard (2009)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Classic Rock
Guitar & Bass	(favourable)
Dave Ling	(favourable)
Progression
Traps	(favourable)

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Hope This Finds You"	Spawton	3:12
2.	"Perfect Cosmic Storm"	Spawton	14:40
3.	"Breathing Space"	Spawton	1:47
4.	"Pick Up If You're There"	Spawton, Poole, Filkins	13:39
5.	"From the Wide Open Sea"	Spawton, Poole	1:20
6.	"Hope You Made It (Re-issue Bonus Track)"	Spawton	3:46
7.	"Salt Water Falling on Uneven Ground"	Spawton, Poole, Filkins	12:38
8.	"Summer's Lease"	Spawton, Poole	7:34

Personnel

• Sean Filkins - lead vocals (tracks 2, 4, 6-8)
• Gregory Spawton - guitars (tracks 1-4, 6-8), keyboards (all tracks), backing vocals (tracks 2, 4)
• Andy Poole - bass (tracks 6-8)
• Steve Hughes - drums (tracks 7, 8)

Guest musicians

• Becca King - viola (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 8)
• Tony Wright - alto saxophone (tracks 1, 8), tenor saxophone (tracks 2, 4, 6, 8), flute (track 4)
• Nick D'Virgilio - drums (tracks 2, 4, 6), backing vocals (track 2)
• Dave Meros - bass (track 2)
• Pete Trewavas - bass (track 4)

External links

• BIG BIG TRAIN The Difference Machine music reviews and MP3 @ progarchives.com