SOMEWHERE ELSE

Marillion had the unfathomable task of following up their magnum opus 'Marbles,' released in 2004. Fortunately, this has not been the first time. Marillion followed up 'Misplaced Childhood' with 'Clutching at Straws' (masterpiece), and 'Brave' with 'Afraid of Sunlight' (also a masterpiece). 'Somewhere Else' is the fourteenth studio album by Marillion, released on 9 April 2007. Unlike their previous two albums, Marillion did not ask their fans to pre-order 'Somewhere Else' before it was recorded because they didn't need the money. This left some fans disappointed as their was no special edition available. However, a deluxe edition was issued on 25 April 2011 containing a 36-page digibook with additional artwork designed by Carl Glover. The cover features a tower viewer, also known as coin-operated binoculars.

One major observation I have of 'Somewhere Else' that makes it stand out in the Marillion discography is that it's the mellowest Marillion album. When I say mellow, I don't necessarily say that as a critique of the album. Perhaps that's why it took me so long to fully grasp 'Somewhere Else.' It's not an immediate album like many other great Marillion albums. This is apparent from the first track, "The Other Half," to the final track, "Faith." The only heavy rock song on 'Somewhere Else' is "Most Toys," which unfortunately stands out like a sore thumb in the tracklist. Overall, 'Somewhere Else' has a distinct vibe that I generally enjoy. There are many Marillion fans who've maligned this album, but, similar to 'Radiation,' I think that 'Somewhere Else' is a solid release from the band and deserves more appreciation.

The opening track, "The Other Half," is, as the title suggests, a song of two halves. The first couple minutes are raucous and showcases Ian Mosley's powerful drumming skills. His cymbal-work washes over the listener, creating a beautiful wall of sound. The song then diminuendos into the second half which starts jazzy and then morphs into a gorgeous climax that features a Steve Rothery guitar solo. The next track, "See It Like a Baby," starts with inventive Ian Mosley drumming and a prominent Pete Trewavas arpeggiated bassline, which provides a formidable foundation for the verses. I love the open chords that Steve Rothery strums during the chorus. The only word I can think of to describe the chorus is "refreshing." Towards the end, Steve Rothery plays a lead guitar ostinato which Steve Hogarth mimics vocally and harmonizes over. Structurally, "See It Like a Baby" is incredibly simple as it switches between the verse and the chorus for the whole song. The sentiment of the song is captured in the title alone. As we grow older, it's easy to become desensitized to certain things. "See It Like a Baby" explains that trying to forget certain things ironically helps us truly remember them.

"Thank You Whoever You Are" is a piano-driven pop song with an interesting chord progression and a beautiful chorus. The aforementioned rock song of the album, "Most Toys," is one of my least favorite songs on 'Somewhere Else.' The title is based on the quote, "He who dies with the most toys wins." The lyrical refrain of "Most Toys" states that "he who dies with the most toys is still dead," meaning that life isn't a competition.

The title track is my favorite song on the album, and one of my favorite Marillion songs of all time. The accompaniment perfectly matches the sensitivity of Steve Hogarth's vocals. Hogarth's lyrics are painfully real and introspective. He refers to himself as "Mr. Taurus" as that is his zodiac sign and uses a Mr. Blue Sky-esque vocal effect, which may have been intentional. He poignantly describes his feelings of loneliness by stating "everyone I love lives somewhere else." The climax at the end is extremely powerful and emotional.

"A Voice from the Past" starts off subdued, but then gradually builds to an explosive climax. The lyrics are angry and cynical, which is a mood Hogarth would stick to on subsequent albums such as 2016s 'FEAR.' A song that always comes to mind when I hear "No Such Thing" is "Planet Caravan" by Black Sabbath. Both songs capture similar atmospheres, which is especially apparent with the vocal effects.

The album gets a bit rockier with the track "The Wound." The lyrics initially describe the wound as a physical thing. As the lyrics progress, it becomes apparent that the wound is causing emotional pain, and is used metaphorically. The groove towards the end of the track reminds me of songs from the following album, 'Happiness Is the Road,' particularly the track "Asylum Satellite 1." The next track, "The Last Century for Man," is one of my least favorite tracks on the album. I find the song uninspired and ultimately forgettable, musically and lyrically.

The closing track, "Faith," is a pastiche of the song "Blackbird" by The Beatles. If the fingerpicked acoustic guitar wasn't enough to convince you that fact, Marillion covered "Blackbird" on their acoustic live album 'Live at the Walls.' The band had been playing "Faith" years before the release of 'Somewhere Else.' Like "Most Toys," it's another song that sticks out like a sore thumb, as it's completely different from anything Marillion has ventured into musically. The unexpected tropical bridge seems like it was shoehorned in. Sam Morris plays French horn on this track towards the end, bringing the album to a melancholic end.

In conclusion, 'Somewhere Else' is a transitional Marillion album. It's the one that's sandwiched between 'Marbles' and 'Happiness Is the Road,' which are both among my favorite albums from Marillion. I respect the band for not trying to churn out another 'Marbles.' The band took elements from 'Marbles' and tried to write shorter, simpler songs. In the end, what we get on 'Somewhere Else' is a mixed bag of songs ranging from mediocre to exquisite, which makes for an interesting listen. On a great day, I would give 'Somewhere Else' four stars. Generally, I will give this three stars.