The Marillion Round Table

Kingsnake wrote: Wow. I thought the fanboys were in this thread, not outthere remixing albums. I was just stating what I liked about Marillion. It just happens to be a remix album. So what? That album was a huge hit amongst some. It even was a dancefloor hit. Also I compare the current Marillion to a Hogarth solo album for a reason. And I stated that reason above. Someone asked me why I consider the new Marillion album more as a Hogarthband album. Also referring to me in third person instead of adressing me is plain rude.

What I have to think of relating to Marillion is if it weren't for the bands' early releases would I pick up a copy of Hogarth's Marillion today and love it? The answer is no. I loved Marillion during its Fish era as the music was theatrical, emotive and had a raw power to it that blew me away. Fish left and "Seasons End" was released with Hogarth and I loved that album although I was disappointed that Fish had left the band. I held on until "Brave". After "Brave" I started to find Hogarth extremely annoying as all the albums started to sound the same. Hogarth continued weeping into the microphone and I got to the stage where hearing him made me want to pull my hair out. I still collected all of the Marillion albums up until "Marbles" but from that time I haven't purchased a Marillion album although I've heard most of them.
For me they can't find another gear and Hogarth continues to irritate all kinds of hell out of me. I have tried to justify to myself that I should still enjoy a band that I once loved but justify all I might I can't get around the fact that I have grown to almost intensely dislike the band and the primary reason for that is Hogarth. I really enjoy "Edison's Children" which isn't Marillion but it due to the two Marillion band members making up the core it is related. If Hogarth joined Edison's Children then I would ditch that collaboration as well I guess.
For me the power has gone from the band - it left a while ago. Hogarth cries all the time - he doesn't have a range of emotion in his voice beyond angst and sadness. Hell, one of my favorite vocalists (one hated here on PA by many for reasons beyond me) being La Brie can do anger, pain, joy - the whole gamut of emotion whereas Hogarth is a one trick pony. Sorry all you fans out there but I can't do Marillion any longer, I can't continuously listen to all that angst any longer. 

You probably just need a break, Kingsnake.

I remember buying Radiation on the day of release and selling it back the very next day (Huge disappointement at the time)...didn't listen to them for some years then sometimes in 2005 the boys were in town and decided to go see them...was my first listen of the Marbles material and was strongly blown away...back on the train since then.

Retry the post-marbles albums in a few years...who knows.

Edited by Barbu - October 31 2016 at 21:59

Kingsnake wrote: I guess a lot of people are recent Marillion fans. I mean no harm with that but it explains a lot. Like my original post said, Marillion and I have gone a long way, and most of the stuff (including solo) was great. But for the last 5 or 10 years or so, they kinda let me down.

I first read about Marillion in Sounds music paper in 1982. On the strength of that article, and the release of Market Square Heroes, I trooped along to The Marquee in Soho, London to see them live. It was the beginning of a passionate musical love affair, and I have not missed many tours since, and have all of the band and solo albums. The last thing I could be described as is a recent Marillion fan

The music has, indeed, developed a great deal in recent years, and it is difficult to compare albums such as FEAR and STCBM to, for example, Afraid of Sunlight and This Strange Engine. The music, and band, have moved on, developing their sound and music. I regard that as being a truly progressive thing to do. Why should you mean any harm in your opinion? You are perfectly entitled to it, just as I am to mine.

I regard Marillion as being the finest band I have had the pleasure of hearing and seeing, and I regard us as being blessed that they are still making important music, and relevant music.

BTW, a five star rating does not necessarily compare the album to DSOTM and other "classics". It simply means that the reviewer regards it as being a masterpiece by the band in the context of that band, and the progressive rock scene in general. If we limited five star ratings to merely those albums universally recognised as being recognisable "archetypal" prog rock, a la Yes, Genesis, Floyd, then we simply would not have many such album ratings. Such is not the purpose of the ratings. DSOTM will always be above FEAR, because many more people have purchased it, listened to it, and had their lives affected by it. It is also beloved by collabs on the site. That is why the album ratings here are weighted, to give an accurate portrayal of the true value of an album's place in history.

FEAR will, IMO, be regarded in years to come as a very important Marillion album. will it ever hit the top 100 of all time prog rock albums? Nope, but that does not stop it being a masterpiece in some, including mine, eyes and ears.

Don't be quite so defensive. It is nice to have a decent debate on this thread. We haven't had that many in recent times, and your post has kicked one off.

Not have much to add, either.

Happiness is a great one imo, and a good starting rec for a h-marillion neophyte.

FEAR?

Best album since Happiness...

and absolutely not prog.

Wow. I thought the fanboys were in this thread, not outthere remixing albums.

I was just stating what I liked about Marillion. It just happens to be a remix album. So what? That album was a huge hit amongst some. It even was a dancefloor hit.

Also I compare the current Marillion to a Hogarth solo album for a reason. And I stated that reason above. Someone asked me why I consider the new Marillion album more as a Hogarthband album.

Also referring to me in third person instead of adressing me is plain rude.

I loved the Less is More tour. Hogarth was in topform, but the last two albums really dissapointed me.

Ice Scream Genius was also the worst album in the entire Marillion-catalogue, but that's my taste/opinion.

I really liked Marillion and even grew to love Hogarth. But I was always ashamed of playing it to others because deep down inside I knew I was pretending to like Hogarth's voice.

He sounds so off key and most of the time he annoys the hell outbof me. Especially on Neverland, wich is the worst vocal I ever heard. Thank god for Rothery's leadguitar.

But with the leadguitar all but gone and zero interesting drums, the flame really is gone.
To me, Marillion is a back up to a mediocre singer.