MARBLES

Been wanting to get some Neo-progressive albums in my collection and what better band to start my neo-prog collection than with the great Marillion. I will say I've always loved the Fish-era of Marillion as they make 80s pop sound better by progging it up big time. But i wanted to get the harder albums in my collection first so i decided to get the big comeback album and that was the 2-disc version of Marbles. It was hard as butt to find the 2-disc since every store has the other version luckily i finally went and got this on their website and well i will say it took me some tries to get used to it. The first disc kinda made me scratch my head a little bit as some of the songs were just not what i expected. The Invisible Man and Ocean Cloud without a doubt are the best songs on the first disc with some great progressive elements from bands like Yes, Genesis, and Pink Floyd. Marbles 1 and 2 are also great even though there very short but well songs like Genie and Fantastic kinda miffed me a bit as well there were times when it sounded too pop or mellow. The Only Forgivable Thing has some hope to it as it has some great moments by Stever Rothery with his amazing melodic solo skills. Disc 2 took me by surprise by how heavy some of the songs are which is a good thing. songs like Your Gone, Angelina, Drilling Holes, Don't Hurt Yourself have some great compositions in them with some great guitar work by Steve. HOWEVER none those can master the greatness of Neverland. I dunno what to say it just seems like the way that the emotion is brought out in the entire 12 minutes is just fabulous great way to end the album. Each member does a great job as well with Stever Hograth is well not like Fish but he does have a great voice and well even though he didn't use in much in some of the songs of disc 1 he did amazing things in the epics and on disc 2 so yea he is much better than what i was expecting. Steve Rothery man what a great player as much as i love metal guitarist and shredding i also love melodic players and this guy can really bring some emotion into the songs like Ocean Cloud and Neverland. Pete Trewavas i've been a fan of from his work with Transatlantic and many people have said he doesn't do much with Marillion well i disagree i think Pete does an amazing job supplying the rhythm section of the band with his great chops. Ian Moseley at times kinda made me scratched my head in why he wasn't playing but however that was on some of the bad songs on the other ones he really used his great techniques to bring out the rhythm section. Mark Kelly does a good job on making some trippy sound effects and nice background synths to really add some flavour in most of these two CDs. So if you wanna kinda get to know Marillion punish yourself in a way and get Marbles before you start with the 80s version of them that way you'll expect something more when you get albums like Script and Misplaced. But anyway i would definitely suggest getting the 2 disc version because even though some of the songs on disc 1 kinda made me eehhhhhhhhh Ocean Cloud is still worth it cause it rocks!!!!!!!!!!!