THIS STRANGE ENGINE

'This Strange Engine' is Marillion's 1997 release and it also happens to be the band's first album after their split with EMI, before going completely independent just a few years later. In accordance with the title, it is a strange album, definitely blander than the couple ones preceding it, with a much heavier reliance on acoustic instrumentation, more "stripped down" kind of songwriting, and a general return towards the poppier and more alternative sounds displayed on 'Holidays in Eden', for example. The album does lack that conceptual drive of 'Brave' and even 'Seasons End', and while the great lyricism is prevalent, 'This Strange Engine' is way too mellow, much less melodramatic, and unfortunately mostly forgettable.

One could consider the turmoil surrounding the band at that period in time as reflected upon the quality of the music but at the same time we should notice how intense in terms of releases the end of the decade also is for them. So all of this puts the album in a weird position, as it is not a great follow-up to 'Afraid of Sunlight' and it captures the side of Marillion's music that is perhaps least adventurous and most derivative of other popular styles at that time. Still, the longer tracks are to be seen as highlights, with the great opener and the gorgeous title track, and the ever so lovely 'Estonia'. It also seems that at this point the band has completely abandoned their pursuit of writing a top hit, mostly considering the influence of 'Kayleigh', the very radio-friendly 'Hooks in You' and even 'Cover My Eyes'. Definitely a less consistent or intriguing Marillion album.