MARKET SQUARE HEROES

Wel... there are lots of things I could say about this first Marillion's recording. The first thing I'd like to remember is: "man, this is an EP, not a LP, and that's the way we must see it" So, this said, let's review it as an EP...

Extraordinary... when I think Genesis started with "From Genesis to Revelation", and Yes with the homonimous album, I only can say this is the best starting I could never have dreamt for a progressive band. The sound is really striking, and here we even find some things we will never find again in any Marillion's recording.

Let's see track to track:

1. Market square heroes: Ironically, maybe the only weak track of the EP. When we first listened to it, it was very annoying. I have heard the "B'sides themselves" and "Real to reel" versions first, and this song had nothing of the strenght of these two. So, I was shocked. But later, I listened to it again, and I realize two things: the first, that the strenght of this version is a little hidden in its "simplicity". There is not still a fast keyboard sequence, of the voice of Fish saying "antichrist" like his life is leaving him up, but there is some kind of celtic warmth that runs through all the song. Maybe if I have listened to this version first, I would have appreciated it more. The second thing, is that 'Market' is a 'work in progress'. It sounds like a song a little incomplete, unended. I think that's the reason for the adding of the final verses in the re-recorded 12" version of 'Punch and Judy'. But, as a whole, this is a good song to listen (but maybe the weakest of this album)

2. Three boats down from the candy: Excelent. Great melodic song. My body shivers when I listen to it. uuu... Nothing more to say.

3. Grendel: The eternal fight: Is it or is it not a Marillion's Supper's Ready? I think it is not. This song pays for itself. It has things we will never see again in other Marillion's works: it is almost savage in its ways. This is something Genesis never had. When I heard neo-progressive rock bands, I liked them very much, but I miss something bands like Pink Floyd had in their startings. I don't know how to name it, maybe "savagery" would be a name. Grendel has it. It has striking guitars, striking keyboards, striking lyrics, striking everything.

With this EP Marillion showed a 'celtic' air that was never resumed. Was it good or bad? I don't know. But this one is a must-have and almost (only almost) a masterpiece.