MARILLION MUSIC COLLECTION

This compilation represents Marillion's tracks during Fish era (1983 - 1988) which is taken from the EP "Market Square Heroes" (1982) until the band's last live record "The Thieving Magpie" (1988). All songs are great. This is an introduction for those of want to know the band's first singer era.

The opening track "Grendel" (17:16) is truly my favorite track and it tells a story inspired by John Gardner book "Grendel". The strong point about the song is the melody line and its simple structure. The music flows smoothly from the opening guitar fills by Steve Rothery and punctuated voice of Fish in low register notes line. Structurally, the song has some curved lines right from the beginning to later part. The last part of the song provides a kind of foxtrot style where some people have referred it as similar with Genesis' "Supper's Ready". It's an excellent yet simple track from Marillion.

"Lady Nina"( Edited single) 3:43 is the band's interpretation of pop / disco music mixed with rock. It's not typical Marillion tunes but this is not bad song at all. "Freaks" (single) 4:05 is a nice track that can be found from "Brief Encounter" LP. "Sugar Mice" 5:47 is a mellow track taken from "Clutching at Straw" (1987) album. Through this track you might observe great vocal quality of Fish with music in Hackettian style - especially the guitar solo. [Hmm.. I remember that sometime in 1988 we formed a band and played this song alive in front of 2,000 crowd, Batam Island, Indonesia. It was a memorable event, I took lead vocal job and lead guitar was my colleague Ardhi. We also played Pseudosilk Kimono - Kayleigh at that night. What a day!]

"She Chameleon" 6:53 has rarely been mentioned by many people but actually this is a great track from "Fugazi" (1984) album. Fish did an excellent job with great accentuation throughout this track. The soaring organ work by Mark Kelly is very captivating to my ears (and my mind!). And "Hotel hobbies"3:40? Oh man . this is an energetic song with pondering drum beats and tight bass lines which opens "Clutching At Straw" album.

Have you noticed that I have always used the phrase "Peace on earth and mercy mild .." at the end of my review at this site? Yeah, it's taken from the best song that Marillion has ever produced in its entire career: "Forgotten Sons" 8:24. The complete phrase is actually "Peace on earth and mercy mild. Mother Brown has lost her child. Just another forgotten son!" .. oh man .. . these phrases are really great when they are combined with the music. For me, this song is at par excellent as Genesis' "In The Cage" or "Can Utility and The Coastliners" or "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" or "Back In NYC". It's really great it's the BEST song by Marillion.

"La Gazza Ladra - Slàinte Mhath" (live) 7:33 is basically the opening track of the last live album of Marillion Fish era "The Thieving Magpie (La Gazza Ladra)". "Chelsea Monday" 8:18 is sweet rock song from "Script for a Jester's Tear" album where you can enjoy the howling guitar work of Steve Rothery which is similar with Steve Hackett's. It's a very nice song that has become one of my favorite songs from Marillion. "Pseudo silk kimono" is the opening track of the band's legendary album "Misplaced Childhood".

Conclusion

Well, with all positive comments on track by track basis, you would then expect me to give this compilation with five star rating. I don't blame you at all and nothing wrong with it. But, I'm not going to recommend you to buy this CD! It's not the songs that are lousy - as you know it from the above reviews, but the selection and arrangement of songs in this compilation are really lousy. One good example is "Pseudo Silk Kimono" which used to serve as opening track is now used as the concluding track. On selection of song, it's unfair to give only one song from "Misplaced Childhood" album which had made the band so successful in their musical career. I do not recommend you to purchase this CD. Instead, please purchase this albums: Script for a Jester's Tear (1983), Fugazi (1984), Misplaced Childhood (1985), and Clutching At Straw (1987)! You will be totally satisfied!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW