MARBLES

I really liked Brave and Afraid Of Sunlight, but i believe this overpasses them. It usually happens to me that when the harder to get into an album the better becomes with time. I had some mixed feellings at the begining, but they where slowly clearing up with each listen.

Definitively CD 1 is the best but the slight flaws on the CD 2 don´t affect my apreciation of this fantastic release, wich remains in my top ten of all time.

There´s no better way to start than with "The Invisible Man", a very dark atmosphed song with an intelligent touch of Mr. Rothery. The" Marbles" songs work perfectly as a conection for the rest of the tracks, making it feel almost like a concept album. "Genie" is the weakest on this CD, but is not real bad. There comes "Fantastic Place" , a melancolic ballad in the classic Mr. h almost crying singing style. Stunning! "The Only Unforgivable Thing" keeps the mood of the record, very enjoyable. And what a way to end the first part of Marbles: "Ocean Cloud", an epic masterpiece with different passages, obscure and powerful, one of the best and most progressive songs in all Marillion history.

Second CD is a little bit more accesible, with some pop moments in the way of Anoraknophobia or Holidays In Eden, but it really stands on its own. Songs like "Don´t Hurt Yourself" and "You´re Gone" bring the more comercial side of the band, but not bad tunes at all. "The Damage" is probably the one i like the less on the whole album, while "Drilling Holes" has a clear Beatlesque style. "Angelina" and "Neverland" are the best on this second part and make the full CD 2 almost reach CD 1´s level.

The mixure of styles, yet cohesive; the darkness of its atmosphere, yet hearted, and the strong structure of the whole album brings a brilliant piece of work that will be hardly surpassed by future releases of the band (or many bands).

A MUST for Marillion and Neo Prog fans and a very enjoyable listening for most Prog aficionados.

Viva el Prog!

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