AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT

"Afraid of Sunlight" is a two faced album... Here we can find songs with a great charge of melancholy, like Out of This World, King and Beyond You. And another songs, like Gazpacho, Beautiful and Cannibal Surf Babe are more possitive songs, with a happy feeling. This thing gives a great variety and contrasts to this album. In this aspect is similar to "Brave", but short songs oriented. Most of Marillion albums don't have so strong diversity (although all albums from the Hogarth era are very variated), and this is one of the things I like most of "Afraid of Sunlight".

But the most important thing: of course, the songs!

Gazpacho: the best Pete Trewava's bass lines I've heard. The lyrics are really good too, with a passionate vision of the boxer Jake LaMotta. Catchy and beautiful chorus, great instrumental developement in the bridge with an adecuated change of mood, good guitar solo... Yes, this is the perfect Marillion's song.

Cannibal Surf Babe: the strangest song from the album. A Beach Boys oriented tune. Maybe doesn't fit very well with the rest of the songs, but It's a funny track with funny lyrics. And its quality can't not be denied too... Not a bad song, but a little out of place. Nevertheless, this strange ending in french strangely remerbers my to "Brave"...

Beautiful: the best Marillion's ballad. Very commercial, but great. Maybe the most beautiful lyrics by Mr.H. And his singing here comes directly from the heart... I can't understand why a song like this didn't became a hit in the radio stations... Awesome guitar tune at the beginning too.

Afraid of Sunrise: soft track, with a good variation fo the Afraid of Sunlight's melody... Pretty good, and a nice interlude between Beautiful and Out of this World. Not the best of the album, but still a good transition song.

Out of this World: a Marillion's live classic. Very interesting song, with a kind of depressive feeling that fits very well with the lyrics. The dissonant guitar chords of the beginning are a strange beginning, but when you hear the whole song and understand the lyrics, they make sense... Very good Mark Kelly work in this song, and a typical Marillion's trademark ending.

Afraid of Sunlight: very, very beautiful. The beginning, united with the end of Out of This World is just anthologic. Great Chorus, marvellous instrumental interlude... One of the highlights of the album.

Beyond You: I just love this song. The lyrics are sad and romantic at the same time. When the verses break in the part of... "I'm not much of a Man, but I know how a man..." is just incredible. Awesome track, but underrated.

King: one of the most powerful Marillion's song. Epic feeling, great piano interlude, desperate lyrics... Another killer track from this album and one of the best from Marillion too.

Conclusion: what more can I say? Although I love Marillion, I consider that they are a little irregular in their albums. For that, "Afraid of Sunlight" is one of the best Marillion album in my opinion from the Steve Hogarth's era, because I like every track included here. And Gazpacho, Beautiful, Out of this World, Afraid of Sunlight, Beyond You and King are just amazing songs. 8 songs, 6 of which are great, and the other 2 are pretty enjoyable too. Four solid stars!

My rating: ****1/2, rounded down to four.

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