HOLIDAYS IN EDEN

Even Steve Hogarth has said that "Holidays In Eden" is the poppiest record that MARILLION has ever done.The producer that they used before (Chris Kimsey) was not available to them as he was producing the "Steel Wheels" album for THE ROLLING STONES. Enter Chris Neil "Pop producer extraordinaire" who offered his services and was accepted. The record label was happy, as they were putting some pressure on the band to come up with 3 singles.

"Splintering Heart" is a great opener.The intro features Hogarth and little else until we get a full sound almost 3 minutes in. Passionate vocals and some good guitar from Rothery until things settle down to an atmospheric mood. It's kind of cool the way the melody stays the same but Hogarth changes his vocal tone 4 minutes in. What a difference this amazing singer can make in the mood of the song ! Some ripping guitar 5 minutes in. I think it's great that Hogarth came up with the lyrics for this song on a very cold day in February in Toronto, 80 miles south from where I live. "Cover My Eyes (Pain and Heaven)" is an uptempo tune that opens with guitar and vocal melodies.The highlight of the song for me are the vocal melodies that come and go. "The Party" is one of my top three songs on this album. I think this would have fit well on "Seasons End". The lyrics are fantastic ! I really get drawn into the story they are telling here.This is a powerful and emotional song. Rothery really grinds it out on this one as vocal melodies follow. Nice.

"No One Can" is really a love song with the focus on the lyrics. "Holidays In Eden" opens with birds singing before you hear a jet fly over head ! This is a poppy tune. "Dry Land" is my favourite ! This song is so smooth and tasteful. Hogarth's vocals could soothe a savage beast, they are so emotional. "Waiting To Happen" is the other top three song for me. Acoustic guitar and reserved vocals are contrasted with the full sound, where Hogart's vocals are too incredible for words. I wish he'd stop that ! Ok, no I don't. "This Town" is an energetic song. Check out Rothery ! These last three songs blend together. Next is the short song "The Rakes Progress". "100 Nights" is an atmospheric tune until Rothery freaking loses it and tries rip it to shreds with a blistering solo ! The atmosphere lives though and returns to end the song.

3 stars is a fair rating for my tastes.There are passages that are amazing and others that I could live without. My first impression was "what happened ?" but after many listens I really like this record.