MARKET SQUARE HEROES

"Market Square Heroes" is the debut release from Marillion. It is an EP containing three tracks; "Market Square Heroes," "Three Boats Down From the Candy," and "Grendel." The version I own, which was included on the Script For a Jester's Tear Deluxe Edition, also contains "Charting the Single," so I'll also include that in my review of this EP. Considering that this is the debut release from Marillion, it gives a strong indication of the greatness that will come with their studio LP's.

The title track opens the EP, and is one of the most upbeat, energetic songs the band has ever done. I've heard many other neo-prog bands emulate this kind of song, but none of them come close to capturing the infectious energy that "Market Square Heroes" exudes. I love Pete Trewavas' bass line paired with Mark Kelly's synths which drive the song. This song comes in two versions: The Battle Priest version and the Antichrist version. The latter is elongated and far more exciting and climactic during the bridge section than the former, though I've only heard it in a live context. The title track is my favorite song on the EP. "Three Boats Down From the Candy" is a good song with subdued verses and a climactic chorus. "Grendel" is the band's first proper epic and arguably the only epic they did with Derek Dick, or Fish, on vocals. This song frequently gets made fun of from the band themselves and H-era fans, but I enjoy it quite a bit. It does borrow ideas from their seventies prog influences, most notably the riff from "Apocalypse in 9/8" from "Supper's Ready." Despite the glaring derivations, "Grendel" ebbs and flows from section to section satisfyingly and ends with Steve Rothery's climactic guitar solo. "Charting the Single" is a simple song with scarce instrumentation. I like it, though it definitely sounds like a B-side.

Marillion were (and still are) a force to be reckoned with. While most neo-prog bands of the eighties and nineties were looking backward in time, Marillion were looking forward. It's not necessarily evident on this EP, but it would be on subsequent releases. As much as I want to give this album four stars, I think three is more appropriate. In other words, I wouldn't necessarily say that "Market Square Heroes" is an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection, unless of course you're a fan of Marillion or neo-prog in general. It's good, but non-essential.