THE WORLD

An album that I really enjoy followed by an album that I don't like much at all - what was on the table for this third release 3 years after the last? By the time this was released Marillion had lost Fish (Oh Woe of Woes) although their "Season's End" album was brilliant the forthcoming works from them left a lot to be desired as far as I'm concerned although for the most part I do still like them. IQ were coming out of a weak period after the releases of their two weakest studio albums. Pallas had released no further albums - "Beat the Drum" was still a long way off. Arena was still on the way. Magnum had released their best album "Wings of Heaven" and followed it up with "Goodnight L.A." helping to give me my melody fix.

This album was a breath of fresh air and it fed my love for this kind of music.

"Back in the Spotlight" - Starts off upbeat with keyboard swirls punctuated by lead guitar until it leads into a very Fish era Marillion sound.

"The Voyager" - Steel guitar sound accompanied by water flowing leads into keyboards gently. The vocals come in and things are peaceful with drama of the building sound. At the 8.38 mark the track crescendo's with beautiful lead work. This track is an adventure in melody.

"Shane" - Very Floydish sounding track. A short emotion filled work.

"Prayer" - Nice short melodic track.

"Queen of Hearts" - Monster track divided into three parts. Again a full on adventure in melody. The second part of the epic (A Man could die out Here..) is a stunning trip with some very accomplished musicians. The third part rounds the epic off well.

"And we'll go hunting Deer" - Nice end to a nice (very nice) album. The sun setting on a profound musical melody filled journey.

This is an album that to my ears is worth no less than 5 stars. It alone was the standard bearer when it was released for the "neo-prog" genre. Full of melody that at times reaches achingly beautiful heights. Clive Nolan shows here how valuable a contribution he makes to the band. If you don't enjoy Fish era Marillion, Gabriel era Genesis, melody filled work, dramatic music - then stay well away - If you do and you haven't heard this then hear it, as soon as you possibly can. At first Nick Barrett's voice may be a little off putting but it does grow on you.