MARBLES

Of the many great bands that get no airplay, that a select smattering of people have heard of, whose rabid fans keep them loyal to their music - (and not the industry) - Marillion may indeed be the kings. Kings rule with a even hand, have longevity, and most of all grace.

Here's to Marillion, who someone so eloquently called "The greatest band nobody's ever heard of" and they've managed to rule for 20+ years. Fish and h. comparisons aside, they are different people and musicians EVOLVE their style over the years - so quit your petty bickering over different vocal eras. Its unproductive - time to get over it. Another unproductive thing is the Genesis/Beatles/Floyd/etc. comparisons. Yep - we get it - they were influenced by the people THEY listened to when they were coming up. Can someone please name a musician who WASN'T?!?!?

This album is going to appeal to many prog fans who take the time to listen with an open mind. I rate it a 5 because it can only be described as a culminating work. Marbles is like the compilation of many experiments before you finally get the right recipe. You add the secret ingredient and Eureka - something magical. Let me elaborate on the thought...

Like "Brave" the subject matters will touch you emotionally. Like "Afraid of Sunlight" it's moody and loungy with sudden bursts of power. Like "Strange Engine" and parts of "Anoraknophobia" it explores boundaries and takes chances musically (for them), and like "Seasons' End" and "Holidays in Eden" there are powerful moments of musicianship from Mark Kelly and Steve Rothery when they were the dominant forces when that new guy had just joined them and hadn't exerted his vision quite yet...

Turn off the lights. Put on the headphones. Let me give you the 2CD highlights... Disk 1 Track 1 - We open with the Invisible Man - relax and listen. Don't get caught up in expectations, just open your ears. What you're hearing is layers and layers of texture - building... slowly... that frustration you feel after about 4 minutes is the same frustration the protagonist of the song feels. You're only a 1/3 into it. Let it ride, let it build, let them take you there. By the end of the song Hogarth's voice is strained and cracking, and you will be strangely satisfied.

Track 3 - Fantastic Place - Not really prog. more pop ballad - should have been the single they released. It's classic Hog/Roth pop. There's those layers of sound again, the detail in every note is almost clinical. Production quality is off the charts.

Track 7 - Ocean Cloud - It's a must-listen to 18 minutes. The word epic is overused here. Ocean Cloud is the most musically rewarding piece they've put out EVER. I'm saying this full well knowing that you could make a compelling case that the end(s) of Brave or The Strange Engine were just dress rehearsals for this moment.

Disk2 Track 5 - Angelina - love it or hate it. It's jazzy feel and sublime guitar work make it stand out. Its fun, its tight, and it gets you interested in just what else can these guys do.

Track 8 - Neverland - What's the greatest Prog rock love song of all time? Is there such a thing? Is it an oxymoron? I love Beautiful, SugarMice, etc. but - How do you escape the "power ballad" mentality and make a progressive song, that's also a raw emotional love song? This is how you do it. You can listen to it over and over again Wendy, Darling... If Ocean Cloud is the epic. Neverland is a progressive masterpiece. Period.

Thanks for reading...

The Unknown Critic