HAPPINESS IS THE ROAD

After the controversial "Somewhere Else" Marillion decide to return with a double album: "Happiness Is The Road" it seems that they are two separate and distinct album (each with its own title ) and stylistic differences between the two discs are fairly obvious.

The first disc, "Essence", a kind of introspective concept album, is characterized by a series of songs dominated by piano and keyboards and is pervaded by a melancholic atmosphere and dreaming, with songs that often are a pop-rock refined, and remember a few things from bands like Coldplay and Sigur Ros, and where are also found passages ambient and electronic, along with sweet melodies and solar, one of the best pieces we can mention "Trap This Spark" with a strong emotional charge, and the the title track, a suite than ten minutes that represents an album, which overall is very relaxing, but it always denotes class and enviable imagination.

The second album, "The Hard Shoulder " opens with "Thunder Rock", a piece that immediately sounds different, than the previous album, morecloser to prog and blues, futuristic environments, and neo -prog, including references to Traffic David Bowie and Pink Floyd, tend to continue with a more energetic rock and impact compared to "Essence". deserve to be mentioned also the beautiful, "Whatever Is Wrong With You", "Real Tears For Sale"

Overall, "Happiness Is The Road" is an album honest, no big surprises for the band's style, very compact and balanced, and not particularly brilliant episodes.

Given the long duration of the album, it might be a bit ' boring but the danger is averted, thanks to the fact that Marillion are a band with an unmistakable touch and be able to give life to the performances, that exude emotions to every single note.

It is among the best of their discography, but it certainly deserves to be heard with the heart.