CLASSICS

'Classics' is a compilation album of Marillion that was released in 2009. This is a compilation album that comprises tracks from two studio albums in Fish's era, 'Misplaced Childhood' and 'Clutching At Straws', and three albums that belong to Hogarth's era, 'Seasons End', 'Holidays In Eden' and 'Afraid Of Sunlight'. But, it has also one track that wasn't previously released on any of their studio albums, 'I Will Walk On Water'. It appeared on 'Holidays In Eden' but only as a bonus track. It also appears on their compilation album 'A Singles Collection' but as a bonus track too.

'Classics' has fourteen tracks. The first track 'Kayleigh', the second track 'Lavender' and the third track 'Childhoods End?' are from their album 'Misplaced Childhood'. 'Kayleigh' was also released as the A side of the Marillon's first single 'Kayleigh' with 'Lady Nina' as the B side. This is maybe the most recognizable Marillion's tune. It's one of the most accessible tracks on that album with nice lyrics and beautiful soloing by Rothery. 'Lavender' was released as the A side of the single 'Lavender' with 'Freaks' as the B side. A 12' version was also released with 'Lavender Blue' as the A side and 'Freaks' and 'Lavender' as the B side. It features beautiful lyrics, vocals and some great musicianship. This is a short ballad. 'Childhoods End?' is a sweet song. Trewavas playing is great. The keyboards make an important part and the strumming playing of Rothery would become his trademark for years. The fourth track 'Incommunicado', the fifth track 'Warm Wet Circles', the sixth track 'Sugar Mice' and the seventh track 'Slainte Mhath' are from their album 'Clutching At Straws'. 'Incommunicado' was released as the A side of the single 'Incommunicado' with 'Going Under' as the B side. It's an upbeat rocker led by synthesizers and good chorus led by Fish. 'Warm Wet Circles' was released as a 7' single and 7' picture disc with 'Warm Wet Circles' as the A side and a live version of 'White Russian' as the B side. It's a nice track opened with soft guitar fills. It's an accessible track. 'Sugar Mice' was released on their second single 'Sugar Mice', released in 1987. It was the A side of that Marillion's single and the B side was 'Tux On'. It's a nice mellow track, emotional but with sad lyrics. 'Slainte Mhath' is a classic prog track. It's a song with one of the deepest lyrics of Marillion. It's sad, poetic and angry in a very Fish's style. It's a pure work of art. The final is just awe inspiring. The eight track 'Hooks In You' is from their album 'Seasons End'. It's lyrically and musically great, slow, dense and very melodic. Hogarth shows that, like Fish but in a different way, he could create progressive themes with passionate interpretations as Fish did. Here we have another well constructed guitar solo that fits the emotional aspect of the theme. This is a 7' mixed version. The ninth track 'Dry Land', the tenth track 'Cover My Eyes (Pain And Heaven)' and the eleventh track 'No One Can' are from their album 'Holidays In Eden'. 'Dry Land' is a highlight, a fantastic showcase of the talent of these musicians, demonstrating that without Fish they were capable of growing up without him. This is a compelling song, where Rothery's guitar solos are wonderful. 'Cover My Eyes (Pain And Heaven)' is one of the poppiest songs on that album. It's a dark number that has a strong chorus with a nice guitar effect and has a content to sing aloud. It's probably a song that will get stuck in your head. 'No One Can' was launched as a single. Without blemish from an instrumental and vocal point of view, it doesn't provoke a special interest on me, perhaps because it has a little varied stride and melody and is shamelessly oriented to be a commercial hit. The twelfth track 'I Will Walk On Water' is a non album's track. It isn't properly a great track. As a leftover track from the 'Holidays In Eden' sessions it doesn't represents one of their best moments. It's a tasteless hybrid track that sounds like everything and nothing at the same time. The thirteenth track 'Beautiful' is from their album 'Afraid Of Sunlight'. It was chosen to be released as a single. It's a melodic ballad which might not be to everyone's taste, since it's sentimental. It's a nice pop song with good melody and a simple naive text with few extremely broken treatments of the chosen meter. The fourteenth track 'Easter' is also from their album 'Seasons End'. It's one of their most beautiful ballads. The passionate guitar solo contributes significantly to the construction of the theme. Hogarth easily fits his vocals into the song arrangements, showing intimacy with the theme. Lyrically and musically it's great. This is a 12' edited version.

Conclusion: 'Classics' is another interesting compilation album of Marillion. With tracks that were taken from the last two studio albums of Marillion in Fish's era, 'Misplaced Childhood' and 'Clutching At Straws' and three of the first four albums of the band in Hogarth's era, 'Seasons End', 'Holidays In Eden' and 'Afraid Of Sunlight', only missing 'Brave', we can say this compilation album is, in a certain way, a view of both musical worlds of Marillion. But, we can't really say this is a very well balanced compilation album is terms of quality. If the two albums that belong to Fish's era are two great works, we can't say the same about all Hogart's albums. It's true that 'Seasons End' and 'Afraid Of Sunlight' are also two great works but 'Holidays In Eden' is clearly weaker. Anyway, this is a very honest compilation.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)