MARKET SQUARE HEROES

"Market Square Heroes" is the debut release by UK progressive rock act Marillion. It was released through EMI Records in October 1982. "Market Square Heroes" was originally both released as a 7" vinyl single featured the title track and "Three Boats Down from the Candy" as the B-side to the single, but also as a maxi-single (or EP) featuring 3 tracks and a total playing time of 25:58 minutes. The latter version included the 17:40 minutes long "Grendel".

All 3 tracks on "Market Square Heroes" were included on the 1988 compilation album "B'Sides Themselves", but it´s actually not these versions of the title track and "Three Boats Down from the Candy" which appear on the compilation, but instead re-recorded versions, which the band would record for the 1984 "Punch and Judy" single/maxi-single. So the versions on "Market Square Heroes" were for a long time exclusive to this release, although they would eventually become available on the 2009 "The Singles '82?88'" box set.

"Market Square Heroes" is probably one of the most diverse releases in Marillion´s discography as all 3 tracks on the 25:58 minutes long (maxi-) single release are pretty different in style. The title track is an anthemic keyboard driven rocker, "Three Boats Down from the Candy" is a dark, subdued, and a little eerie sounding progressive rock track, and "Grendel" is a huge progressive rock epic. It´s a great introduction to the world of 80s Marillion, but the material on this release don´t really represent the sound of Marillion that well. Of course pinning down what their sound was in the 80s is a pretty hard task, as they developed that sound a lot between each release.

Upon conclusion "Market Square Heroes" is a high quality first release by Marillion and it´s certainly more than just promising, like many first releases are. The theatrical paatos filled vocals and dramatic lyrics by Fish, the epic guitar leads by Steve Rothery, the atmospheric keyboard chords and motifs by Mark Kelly, the intricate bass work of Pete Trewavas, and the solid drumming by Mick Pointer, introduced the listener to the world of Marillion. The music is arguably greatly influenced by 70s progressive rock artists like Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator, but put into the context of an 80s sound production and contemporary sounding synths/keyboards. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.