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Marillion - Holidays in Eden CD (album) cover

HOLIDAYS IN EDEN

Marillion

 

Neo-Prog

3.15 | 771 ratings

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E-Dub
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars I believe this is the post Fish disc that really had Marillion fans a bit nervous. This was the first real test of having both the vocalist and primary lyricist for Marillion, without the substantial help of John Helmer. Although this disc is very inconsistent, I still can't help but enjoy it. Even with the lighter moments.

I'll get the blatant commercialism out of the way first. The company fat cats were really leaning on the boys to produce a hit and to take advantage of having that "pretty boy" lead singer. "No One Can" and "Cover My Eyes (Pain And Heaven)" are obvious attention grabbers for commercial success. I do like "No One Can"; however, it is a bit sugary for a band such as Marillion. "Cover My Eyes" is a bit on the light side, but it's such a solid song that I can't help to like it. What does it for me are H's vocals...which are spot on. The man really shines on this one.

Now, the other tunes that are more in line to what Marillion are known for: heavy, meaningful, thought- provoking lyrics, a powerful rhythm that drives it courtesy of Mosley and Trewavas, Mark Kelly providing just the right mood without overdoing it, and (of course) the blistering guitar and overall support of one of rock's most underrated guitarists.

Among my favorites are "Splintering Heat", which is quickly becoming a favorite. The pulsing of the music and H's haunting vocals build until the band just explodes with Rothery and Mosley driving it along. It used to open Marillion shows on the Holidays In Eden tour and I really wished they would drag it out of moth balls.

"The Party" is becoming a favorite of mine, as well. It didn't really catch on until I saw them perform it on Marbles On The Road. The lyrics are so surreal and it's almost like the spirit of Jim Morrison had invaded Hogarth for this one. It all surrounds an evening that this high school girl attends a party thrown by classmates, only to be witness to a sensory overload of music, drug experimentation, and finding out that she really didn't know these people at all. Of course, Rothery provides (yet another a) blistering solo.

"This Town/The Rakes Progress/100 Nights" does seem to go on for a little too long; but, once you get past "This Town", the song really takes on some interesting moods. Mark Kelly really provides some excellent keyboards on these songs. Not one of my favorite Marillion tunes, but the final sections save it for me.

E-Dub | 4/5 |

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