SOMEWHERE ELSE

Marillion have changed their sound quite a few times since they started. Even since Fish left. But any band, that has been around as long as they have, would at least be tempted, to try different things. With 2004's Marbles, they found a great sound, and with Somewhere Else, Marillion held on to some of that.

The problem is, they didn't hold on to enough. There are hints of Marbles here, but they're few and far between. They threw in all kinds of sounds on this one, but there is nothing to hold it all together. It makes for a very uneven listen.

"The Other Half" kicks things off well. A decent opening that probably has more in common with "Man of a Thousand Faces" than "The Invisible Man", but it barely has enough substance to sustain interest through its only four minute duration. But if "The Other Half" has any resemblance to the previous album, the next few tracks take you "somewhere else" for sure.

"See it Like a Baby", and "Thankyou Whoever You Are", don't seem to go anywhere. They have potential, but suffer from a lack of real development. "Most Toys" is a purely pop number, and it works well on that level, but it sounds like something off a completely different album (like marillion.com). Considering the running time of less than three minutes, it probably could have been left off this one, altogether.

On the other side of the coin, "Somewhere Else", could be an outtake from Marbles. Atmospheric, intelligent, powerful. This is the best of Marillion. But even at nearly eight minutes, it's all too brief. "A Voice from the Past" is another good piece, but this time, one that probably lasts a little too long. "No Such Thing", again, is quality music, but just doesn't go anywhere.

"The Wound" and "The Last Century for Man" are back to the pop formula, and remind you just how quickly Marillion can change their sound. "Faith", however, is a nice way to conclude things. It may not be a classic, but it will, at least, leave you with something pleasant. Enough to give you the "faith" that, Marillion might have it in them to make another great album.

Somewhere Else isn't a lot like Marbles, but it is a bit like faith.

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