In a world of playlists, where around 41% of people in UK haven’t listened to a full album for over a year, it’s easy to forget that sequencing a record is an artform in itself. Genesis always struck me as a band who understood this, so many of their LPs start and end really strongly with standout songs to open and close the album. The Bardic Depths, a band who came into existence from the Big Big Train forum understand this too.
Their fourth and sadly final album is an excellent example of the right songs in the right order. The record opens with Islands, a truly captivating, which builds and builds, adding layers of sound, vocals and instrumentation in a way that reminds you what makes the progressive rock genre so special. I was quite taken back by how much I loved this song and it set a very high bar for the rest of the record; it takes you on quite a journey. It couldn’t be much more meta, as the song itself is about the song The Underfall Yard by Big Big Train. Will someone do a song about Islands next?
The album ends with Rewind, a song about fading memories inspired by forgetting elements of a 1975 Genesis gig. This was released as a single and it instantly made me think of David Longdon, it feels like a lost track from his time in Big Big Train and the kind of song he would have written. The album version expands things further. With five more minutes and it goes into Wide Open Sea territory which then brings in some of the more Greg Spawton BBT style. If this really is the last song on the last album by The Bardic Depths, it’s quite fitting that it has such a Big Big Train feel to it.
In between those two tracks the album ebbs and flows in all the right ways, making me think of The Beatles and The Tangent at different places along the way. From the quiet and introspective moments to the epic, the unassuming to the full of swagger solos, this album has it all. To the uninitiated progressive rock involves throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the listener. In reality, like most good art, what is omitted is as important as what’s included. The gaps and spaces on this album are just as powerful and potent as the elements that are on display.
I usually want at least three listens before an album gets under my skin, but Some Things Are Worth Remembering landed with me on the first listen. It’s full of hooks, expertly woven into the songwriting to the extent that I was singing along on listen number two. I’m a sucker for dual singer bands, so having both Dave Bandana and the inimitable Peter Jones sharing vocal duties made this even more special. The production is excellent too, I must say.
The lyrics from Brad Birzer and Dave Bandana strike a nostalgic and wistful balance, making you appreciate life, music, nature and people in equal measure. Gareth Cole’s (The Round Window, Tiger Moth Tales) guitar playing is tasteful and precise, with shades of David Gregory to my ears. Like all great guitarists he knows when to open up without overshadowing proceedings completely. There are some wonderful guitar moments on this album.
On drums and percussion Tim Gehrt (Streets, Steve Walsh, Glenn Hughes) holds things together in timeless fashion with consummate skill.
Peter Jones (Camel, Tiger Moth Tales), is one of the most talented people in the genre today and adding his exquisite vocals to the mix helps make the band so special. His playing is as amazing as his singing, so his contributions are plentiful across the album.
This is very much Dave Bandana’s show though. Lead vocals, bass, and keyboards along with producing, mixing and mastering the record. He is the beating heart that allows the other musicians to do their thing around him. I hope he’s as proud of this record and the rest of The Bardic Depths discography as he should be.
I don’t want to say too much really, which is an odd thing when reviewing a record. I want you to experience this album firsthand like I did and to enjoy it just as much without too many preconceptions. I will say that From Empty Trees is the most instrumental fun you can have in under five prog minutes. And there’s something quite Guy Garvey about the vocals on Harder To See, which is a real earworm.
Across the album there’s a touch or two of psychedelia along the way and some trademark sax playing from Peter Jones that gives the band their own distinctive sound. This album sits comfortably alongside the modern prog bands whose work combines classic 70s era elements and modern songwriting to great effect. If you like Big Big Train and Magenta, I think you’ll be playing this album on repeat. For a while. With eight songs and a fifty-minute run time, they do make them like they used to after all. This is one of my favourite albums from 2026.
I hope this isn’t really the end for The Bardic Depths; they have been a consistently top-drawer presence in prog in recent years. They certainly are going out on a high if this is it though, I think this is their best album yet and a strong contender for all those end of year lists and polls. Some things are worth remembering is an aptly title, it’s a proper prog record and one you won’t want to forget.
TRACK LISTING
01. Islands (8:37)
02. Fallen Leaves (3:03)
03. Arribabok (4:48)
04. October Sun (8:12)
05. From Empty Trees (4:41)
06. A View (6:18)
07. Harder to See (4:09)
08. Rewind (9:21)
Total Time – 49:09
MUSICIANS
Dave Bandana – Vocals, Bass, Keyboards
Gareth Cole – Acoustic, Electric Guitars, Bass (2 & 8)
Peter Jones – Vocals, Saxophone, Keyboard (5)
Tim Gehrt – Drums, Percussion
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Gravity Dream Music
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 7th August 2026
