BRAVE

I can't believe it's been 16 years since the release of "Brave". Marillion have always been to me exactly the same as any prog fan I suppose: one of the best prog band in the 80's and the leaders of the neo-prog movement. I have to admit I am a "Fish-type-of-fan", although it was with Hogarth when the Marillion sound evolved to a greater extent. No heretic opinion here: "Brave" is their best album with Hogarth and maybe one of the best 90's albums. The concept is solid and the emotional fluctuations throughout the album are magnificent. After the rather weak and directionless "Holidays In Eden", "Brave" came out of nowhere. The turning of style towards more esoteric and personal lyrics and music (which sometimes serves as a film soundtrack) are since identical elements of Marillion, which influenced great bands of today (Gazpacho immediately come to mind). "Brave" is a prog rock milestone. Favourite tracks: "Living With The Big Lie", "Runaway", "The Great Escape".