SCRIPT FOR A NEW SEASON (A MARILLION TRIBUTE)

As a huge Marillion fan, I came across this Fleesh collection a few years ago and thought I'd give it a go. It is surprisingly good. Covers have never really been my thing, and in a world where clicking on the original version of a song is as easy as it is to click on these Fleesh cover versions, is there really enough to make this album worthwhile?

The answer is "yes".

Gabby's vocals are a really interesting and different way to listen to these much-loved songs. While the music isn't up to Marillion's standard, her singing is genuinely enjoyable and brings a completely new take on the pieces.

The song selection is great too. There are some genuine surprises on it, such as the appearance of "Woke Up" or "Going Under" as well as more standard favourites we expect to see. One of the best moments has to be moving from "Blind Curve" into a section of "The New Kings" which, rather than jarring, blends these moments of old and new together really nicely. Makes me wish Marillion would play those songs like that, just how in the 1991 era, they went from "Blind Curve" into "Uninvited Guest"... ah, good times! But I digress.

It's impossible for me to say whether this selection of covers is any good from the standpoint of someone who isn't a Marillion fan. Does it stand as an album in its own right? Probably not. It's more than likely that the familiarity with the core work is what makes this so likeable, but likeable it is.

I just wish the cover was a little less awful. Really, it's a terrible and hideous childish Microsoft-paint-esque monster of a cover that should be burned rather than permanently tied to this collection of songs! Mark Wilkinson it is not.

A solid three stars and, for Marillion fans, a great entry into Fleesh's collection of both original and cover songs. Worth investigating.