MARILLION

After the release of 'Afraid of Sunlight,' Marillion had a run of spotty albums in the late 90s and early 2000s. 'This Strange Engine' is definitely strange, as there are a couple tracks on this album that are among my favorite Marillion songs, and the rest I could take or leave, with not much in between.

The album opens with the acoustic number, "Man of a Thousand Faces." Despite the length, this song is quite accessible and pleasant to listen to. What makes this song great is the coda, which is the climax of the song. The repeating chord progression lays down a firm foundation as the instrumentation builds dynamically over the top of it, including a school choir. This song provides a powerful start to the album.

"Eighty Days" is a good but ultimately forgettable pop song that contains a synthesized trumpet solo from Mark Kelly, which always felt out of place for me. The title of the song is a reference to the Jules Verne novel, Around the World In Eighty Days. Lyrically, this song is dedicated to the fans of Marillion.

"Estonia" is one of my favorite Marillion songs of all time, and my favorite song on 'This Strange Engine.' The music sets the scene vividly, as it feels like you're floating in a body of water. The waves ebb and flow calmingly, but you're left with a sense of melancholy. This song, lyrically, is about the sinking of the MS Estonia. Apparently, Steve Hogarth was on a plane and talking with a bloke who was sitting next to him. As they were introducing themselves, the man said he was making a documentary of the aforementioned disaster. Hogarth asked why that was, and the man replied, saying that it was because he was on the ferry when it happened, and miraculously survived. The man told h of what happened to him moment-by-moment during the traumatic event in great detail. His story is what inspired the writing of "Estonia."

"Hope for the Future" is Marillion attempting to write samba, and it's one of the weaker moments on the album. This song is maligned by many Marillion fans as being one of their worst songs, and while I don't hate it, I can understand why it's criticized.

The album ends with the epic title track, clocking in at 15:41, with a hidden track at the end of Steve Hogarth hysterically laughing. "This Strange Engine" comprises numerous sections, which don't always flow well into each other, making it feel slightly incohesive in totality. Lyrically, this piece is all about h's childhood. I heard in Steve Hogarth's Corona Diaries Podcast that the story about the bees stinging him in the face was one of his earliest memories. At this point, Marillion had established their own sound, separate from the sound they established with Fish (Derek Dick) as their frontman in the 80s. However, there are many moments on this song, especially during the awesome Mark Kelly keyboard solo, where the band return to their earlier, more "traditional" prog sound. Steve Rothery's mystical guitar solo is iconic, which then leads into the final section. The last few minutes of the song crescendo into one of Steve Hogarth's heaviest vocal performances, where he almost reminds me of David Coverdale.

In conclusion, 'This Strange Engine' is a good album. It's not the best Marillion album, but it's not the worst. Therefore, it comfortably sits in the middle of my ranking of their discography. 8/10

Review Nº 711

'Classics' is a compilation album of Marillion that was released in 2009. This is a compilation album that comprises tracks from two studio albums in Fish's era, 'Misplaced Childhood' and 'Clutching At Straws', and three albums that belong to Hogarth's era, 'Seasons End', 'Holidays In Eden' and 'Afraid Of Sunlight'. But, it has also one track that wasn't previously released on any of their studio albums, 'I Will Walk On Water'. It appeared on 'Holidays In Eden' but only as a bonus track. It also appears on their compilation album 'A Singles Collection' but as a bonus track too.

'Classics' has fourteen tracks. The first track 'Kayleigh', the second track 'Lavender' and the third track 'Childhoods End?' are from their album 'Misplaced Childhood'. 'Kayleigh' was also released as the A side of the Marillon's first single 'Kayleigh' with 'Lady Nina' as the B side. This is maybe the most recognizable Marillion's tune. It's one of the most accessible tracks on that album with nice lyrics and beautiful soloing by Rothery. 'Lavender' was released as the A side of the single 'Lavender' with 'Freaks' as the B side. A 12' version was also released with 'Lavender Blue' as the A side and 'Freaks' and 'Lavender' as the B side. It features beautiful lyrics, vocals and some great musicianship. This is a short ballad. 'Childhoods End?' is a sweet song. Trewavas playing is great. The keyboards make an important part and the strumming playing of Rothery would become his trademark for years. The fourth track 'Incommunicado', the fifth track 'Warm Wet Circles', the sixth track 'Sugar Mice' and the seventh track 'Slainte Mhath' are from their album 'Clutching At Straws'. 'Incommunicado' was released as the A side of the single 'Incommunicado' with 'Going Under' as the B side. It's an upbeat rocker led by synthesizers and good chorus led by Fish. 'Warm Wet Circles' was released as a 7' single and 7' picture disc with 'Warm Wet Circles' as the A side and a live version of 'White Russian' as the B side. It's a nice track opened with soft guitar fills. It's an accessible track. 'Sugar Mice' was released on their second single 'Sugar Mice', released in 1987. It was the A side of that Marillion's single and the B side was 'Tux On'. It's a nice mellow track, emotional but with sad lyrics. 'Slainte Mhath' is a classic prog track. It's a song with one of the deepest lyrics of Marillion. It's sad, poetic and angry in a very Fish's style. It's a pure work of art. The final is just awe inspiring. The eight track 'Hooks In You' is from their album 'Seasons End'. It's lyrically and musically great, slow, dense and very melodic. Hogarth shows that, like Fish but in a different way, he could create progressive themes with passionate interpretations as Fish did. Here we have another well constructed guitar solo that fits the emotional aspect of the theme. This is a 7' mixed version. The ninth track 'Dry Land', the tenth track 'Cover My Eyes (Pain And Heaven)' and the eleventh track 'No One Can' are from their album 'Holidays In Eden'. 'Dry Land' is a highlight, a fantastic showcase of the talent of these musicians, demonstrating that without Fish they were capable of growing up without him. This is a compelling song, where Rothery's guitar solos are wonderful. 'Cover My Eyes (Pain And Heaven)' is one of the poppiest songs on that album. It's a dark number that has a strong chorus with a nice guitar effect and has a content to sing aloud. It's probably a song that will get stuck in your head. 'No One Can' was launched as a single. Without blemish from an instrumental and vocal point of view, it doesn't provoke a special interest on me, perhaps because it has a little varied stride and melody and is shamelessly oriented to be a commercial hit. The twelfth track 'I Will Walk On Water' is a non album's track. It isn't properly a great track. As a leftover track from the 'Holidays In Eden' sessions it doesn't represents one of their best moments. It's a tasteless hybrid track that sounds like everything and nothing at the same time. The thirteenth track 'Beautiful' is from their album 'Afraid Of Sunlight'. It was chosen to be released as a single. It's a melodic ballad which might not be to everyone's taste, since it's sentimental. It's a nice pop song with good melody and a simple naive text with few extremely broken treatments of the chosen meter. The fourteenth track 'Easter' is also from their album 'Seasons End'. It's one of their most beautiful ballads. The passionate guitar solo contributes significantly to the construction of the theme. Hogarth easily fits his vocals into the song arrangements, showing intimacy with the theme. Lyrically and musically it's great. This is a 12' edited version.

Conclusion: 'Classics' is another interesting compilation album of Marillion. With tracks that were taken from the last two studio albums of Marillion in Fish's era, 'Misplaced Childhood' and 'Clutching At Straws' and three of the first four albums of the band in Hogarth's era, 'Seasons End', 'Holidays In Eden' and 'Afraid Of Sunlight', only missing 'Brave', we can say this compilation album is, in a certain way, a view of both musical worlds of Marillion. But, we can't really say this is a very well balanced compilation album is terms of quality. If the two albums that belong to Fish's era are two great works, we can't say the same about all Hogart's albums. It's true that 'Seasons End' and 'Afraid Of Sunlight' are also two great works but 'Holidays In Eden' is clearly weaker. Anyway, this is a very honest compilation.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Like many Marillion fans, I have many Marillion live albums that span their entire career. From "Front Row Club" releases, official titles such as "Made Again" or "The Thieving Magpie", and a whole slew of racket releases across the years covering various Marillion Weekends and other significant events. With the possible exception of "Live at the Royal Albert Hall", which should surely stand out as a 5-star release, this "Distant Lights - Port Zelande" release may well be the finest of them all.

For a Marillion live album it is an unusual setlist. Focussed on the "Happiness is the Road" album which is rarely anyone's finest Marillion choice, it has a selection of songs that might typically not be chosen if one were to try to put together a favourites list. Even when it steps outside of the "Happiness..." tracks for the second half of the concert, the choices are odd. "Invisible Ink", and "The Sky Above the Rain" are again, songs which are on the rarer side. Thus, this is far from a greatest hits treat, but is all the better for it.

The opening moments of "Man from Planet Marzipan" immediately send chills down the spine, with some anticipation-building keyboard work that really drives excitement. This is followed up by the first half of "Happiness...", where every track played with real passion. Each instrument is crisp and clear, and Steve H performs well, with rarely a wobble. Other highlights include "Somewhere Else" which blasts in the later portion of the album and the always- wonderful "Real Tears for Sale". Amazing stuff.

The production and sound quality are excellent, the level of audience sound is spot on and though some of the chatting pieces become a little boring when listening to the album multiple times, they are not so bad as to detract from the overall whole.

I love all Marillion albums and have listened to each and every one many hundred times. During the period where "Happiness is the Road" was the latest release, it saw many spins on the CD player and I feel I know the songs very well indeed. I can say with surety, that the emotion I get from the songs sung here surpass that original recording. Even when this album is on in the background, while I am working, for example, it keeps reaching in and making me stop what I am doing to listen.

There is so much Marillion material to pick and choose from that any individual release these days has to have something special to warrant multiple listens, especially the live recordings. "Distant Lights - Port Zelande" has this important quality, allowing it to compete with many incredible albums when choosing to listen to the band.

An additional mention does have to go to its sister release, the "Distant Lights - Leicester" release that covers a completely different setlist with songs from the first four Hogarth albums. The two albums complement each other nicely, and the Leicester choices are again excellent (and extremely nostalgic played in that order). Really, you should put aside a full four hours and play the lot! Yet, if you only have time for one, "Port Zelande" is definitely it.

Seasons End, the first record with Hogarth. This might be a very dividing album for the fans, maybe it was. I prefer H vocals over Fish so, that was a good starting point. And yes, what a surprise, this is not annoying as previous albums (the first two sometimes are a bit tedious).

Musically, this sounds very cohesive, fresh and emotional; although it is not a concept album, sounds very balanced, the song list and order is well-chosen. Ups and downs of tension, big chorus, then back to calm songs.

For the first part of the album I was expecting something more, I don't know, I liked it, but it did not blow my mind like the second part...

"Berlin", "After Me", "Hooks in You" and "The Space". As I said, it's not conceptual, but this is how you have to write and construct an album, separated songs that sounds great combined. That sax in "Berlin" and the middle section of the song, the sweetness of "After Me" that later grows more and more, all the 80s rock vibes (sounds like Van Halen haha YEAH!) in "Hooks in You" and the great ending with "The Space", for me the best song and performance of Hogarth in this album, the string arrangements, the emotion of the song, what an ending. H rules!

Review Nº 699

"5 Album Set" is a compilation album of Marillion that was released in 2013. It's a special compilation, an economic package that has only albums that belong to Fish's era. It includes their debut studio album "Script For A Jester's Tear" from 1983, their second studio album "Fugazi" from 1984, their debut live album "Real To Reel" also from 1984, their third studio album "Misplaced Childhood" from 1985 and their fourth studio album "Clutching At Straws" from 1987.

"Script For A Jester's Tear": "Script For A Jester's Tear" and "Misplaced Childhood" are probably the two best studio albums of Marillion in Fish's era. Nobody can't deny the importance of "Script For A Jester's Tear", in those times, for progressive rock. In a certain way "Script For A Jester's Tear" was as important as "In The Court Of The Crimson King" was for the progressive rock music in the 70's. In the summer of 1982 the punk explosion was gone but remained some echoes, a parade of a new romantic musical movement. So, when the music world seemed to be at the mercy of the new romantics, "Script For A Jester's Tear" was a landmark and a breath of fresh air that progressive music so needed at the time. With "Script For A Jester's Tear" the world of progressive rock has raised again and no longer was the same.

"Fugazi": Perhaps "Fugazi" is the weakest album of Marillion in Fish's era. But saying this, it seems like a sacrilege. In reality, Marillion has no weak albums in that period of time, and so, "Fugazi" is still a great piece of music. As I wrote before when I reviewed that album, the album has two songs with musical quality below of the others, "Emerald Lies" and "She Chameleon". So, for that motif, "Fugazi" can't be considered a masterpiece, as happened with their preceding album "Script For A Jester's Tear" and their following album "Misplaced Childhood". But, "Fugazi" remains without any doubt a great album. "Fugazi" is an excellent album that can be recommended to all progressive rock fans. Just simply we mustn't compare it too much to the previous one, because there's music here for every progressive rock fan to love.

"Real To Reel": "Real To Reel" is a great debut live album. They were careful with the inclusion of two songs from their debut studio album, two songs from their second studio album, three on the CD version, a song from their historical debut EP and a song only released as a single. However, some of their best and most representative material of their beginning aren't present here, like "Script For A Jester's Tear", "The Web", "Fugazi" and especially "Grendel". By the other hand, despite the live performance be very competent, very few things distinguish the live tracks from the studio versions. Nevertheless, "Real To Reel" still is a great album with a magnificent live performance of some of their best and most representative songs comprising their earlier musical period, played with a fantastic and convicted energy.

"Misplaced Childhood": Besides be their most commercially successful album, "Misplaced Childhood" is one of the best studio albums in the progressive music. Even the former drummer of Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy said this was the best Marillion's album of all time. With "Misplaced Childhood", Marillion proved they weren't a clone of Genesis and with it they reached the status of be considered one of the best progressive rock bands ever. "Misplaced Childhood", put Marillion on the same quality level of Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Van Der Graaf Generator, Camel, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Rush and Dream Theater. It put them as one of the greatest and most influential prog bands of ever too. If you don't know the band yet and want to buy a Marillion's albums, this is the best.

"Clutching At Straws": "Clutching At Straws" is an excellent album, perhaps more mature than the other three previous studio albums. The lyrics and compositions are more emotional and dramatic as ever, in Fish's era. They found their identity and balance. It was the last definitive break out with Genesis' influences. But, somehow, "Clutching At Straws" isn't, in a certain way, a Marillion's album, but it's more a solo effort of Fish. Lyrically, the character was inspired by Fish. It has all to do with his personal life, his problems of the excess of alcohol and the abuse of drugs. Musically, it's also much close to the music that Fish would make on his solo works. It's a great addition to any prog collection and is a last amazing contribution of a great artist to a great band, too. With this album Fish left the band by the front door.

Conclusion: As I initially mentioned, "5 Album Set" is a compilation album that only covers albums that belong to the time when Fish was still in the band. It has the four studio albums released by Marillion with Fish, plus the debut live album of the band. As almost all we know, this four studio albums are all great and represent some of the best albums released by Marillion in their entire long career. But, I really think we can especially highlight two of them, "Script For A Jester's Tear" and "Misplaced Childhood". Both albums are masterpieces, two of the best albums ever released in the progressive music. Even the live album, "Real To Reel" is great too. I'm convinced that in Fish's era, Marillion don't have any weak work. So, "5 Album Set" is an excellent starting point and a cheapest way to have all these great works.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Adventurous and more mature record, after their masterpiece "Misplaced Childhood". For many fans this could be their best Fish-era album, for me, the previous album is their best one. You can see a great evolution since their first album, but sometimes less is better, and in this record, in my opinion, there is a lot going on and everything is not great. The first songs are a bit boring, I enjoyed the second part more, especially when "Incommunicado" starts, such a great song. It's a nice and interesting album but not at the level of the great masterpiece "Misplaced Childhood", which is a better written and balanced record.

Review Nº 695

'Essential Collection' is a compilation album of Marillion that was released in 1996. It has tracks from all their four studio albums, 'Script For A Jester's Tear' of 1983, 'Fugazi' of 1984, 'Misplaced Childhood' of 1985 and 'Clutching At Straws' of 1987. It has also a track from their debut EP 'Market Square Heroes' of 1982 and two tracks that were only released as singles. All these tracks were released by Marillion in the time when Fish was still a member of the band.

'Essential Collection' has nine tracks. 'Grendel' is from their debut EP 'Market Square Heroes'. It's an epic and complex song inspired by John Gardner's book 'Grendel'. This is an adaptation of the Anglo-Saxon poem 'Beowulf' by Marillion. This track is one of the best tracks from the band, and it's also one of their most progressive too. This composition is frequently compared (mostly unfavourably), with 'Supper's Ready' of Genesis. Curiously, this EP was produced by David Hitchcock, who also had produced the Genesis studio album 'Foxtrot', with 'Supper's Ready' on it. So, this happy or unhappy coincidence, forced a big comparison between both pieces. 'He Knows You Know' is from 'Script For A Jester's Tear'. It's a song that tells us about the abuse of drugs, and alludes particularly to intravenous drug use. This is the shortest song on the album but it still is a great track and represents also another great musical moment on the album. It's a powerful song with powerful lyrics too. The song begins with the guitar followed by Fish's voice and soon the keyboards appear also and then, the song reaches its great musical climax when the drum section enters on the scene. 'Jigsaw' is from 'Fugazi'. It's a bit slow rock song, very nice and I particularly like of it very much. This is a song about everything with Marillion, their music, their audience and the accusation of being a Genesis' clone, what really bothered them. This is a sensual song with beautiful lyrics that we want to sing as we take our morning shower and leaves us well prepared to begin our day's work. Definitely, I love this song. 'Punch And Judy' is also from 'Fugazi'. The lyrics of the song are an amusing subject about a married life, a marriage that gone bad. It's the shortest track on that album but still is a very good song. This is a wonderful song although not very typical of their music until now. However, it features everything that's great in Marillion's songs, catchy riffs and melodies and their typical sound so characteristic of Fish's era. 'Cinderella Search' was never released on any of their studio albums. It was released on their single 'Assassing', in 1984 and it was the B side of that Marillion's single. It was released from their second studio album 'Fugazi'. It remains as one of my preferred songs from the 'Fugazzi' sessions, though not featured on the original album. 'Kayleigh' is from 'Misplaced Childhood'. It was also released as the A side of Marillon's first single 'Kayleigh' and with 'Lady Nina' as the B side. It was also released as a single to the US market with 'Kayleigh' as the A side and 'Heart Of Lothian' as the B side. A 12' version was also released with the alternative mix and an extended version of 'Kayleigh' as the A side with an extended version of 'Lady Nina' as the B side. This is maybe the most recognizable Marillion's tune. It's also one of their most accessible tracks. 'Lavender' is also from 'Misplaced Childhood'. It was also released as the A side of the Marillon's second single 'Lavender', taken from that studio album, with 'Freaks' as the B side. A 12' version was also released with 'Lavender Blue' as the A side and 'Freaks' and 'Lavender' as the B side. It features beautiful lyrics, nice vocals and great musicianship. This is a ballad track, albeit short. 'Lady Nina' was never released on any of their studio albums too. It was released on their single 'Kayleigh' and it was the B side of that Marillion's single. It was released on their third studio album 'Misplaced Childhood'. It was also released as a separated single in U.S.A. It was the A side of that single. This is possibly one of the poppiest tracks of the band. The hook is huge, and even when the lyrics get flowery they still work in the context. 'Torch Song' is from 'Clutching At Straws'. It's one of the slower tracks on that album. It's a romantic ballad which shows how Fish has developed very good manners performing this kind of songs. Fish's vocals shine here and all the players are solid, as usual. Despite be a ballad, it's very beautiful, not spectacular, but good enough. This is a great prog rock song, really.

Conclusion: 'Essential Collection' is one of the many compilation albums released by Marillion. This is also another compilation album from them focused on their musical era with Fish. And as is usual, we are in presence of a good compilation album of the band. It's very short but it covers the all era of Marillion with Fish. Thus, we have one track from their debut work, their EP 'Market Square Heroes', four tracks from their four studio albums with Fish, one track per album, and two non-album's tracks, tracks that were only originally released as singles. Therefore, we can say that 'Essential Collection' is a very well representative compilation album of Marillion. All tracks chosen to be part of it are great and represent a good showcase for the band, which means that 'Essential Collection' is a good starting point to all people who are newbie with Marillion. So, this is a compilation album that deserves to be rated with 3 solid stars.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Review Nº 687

As we know, when Fish was in Marillion as a band's member, the group only released two live albums, "Real To Reel" in 1984 and "The Thieving Magpie ? La Gaza Ladra" in 1988. However, much live material that was recorded during the permanence of Fish in Marillion was recorded and was later released in several live albums and live compilations after Fish left Marillion. So, this is the case of "Early Stages: The Highlights", which is the subject of this my review of today.

"Early Stages: The Highlights" is a compilation of Marillion which was released in 2013. "Early Stages: The Highlights" is nothing more than a compilation of the "Early Stages: The Official Bootlegs 1982-1987", a box set containing six separated live albums of Marillion that was released in 2008. "Early Stages: The Official Bootlegs 1982-1987" contains live recordings that were previously only circulated as bootlegs or even material that was previously not available in this form. "Early Stages: The Highlights" is a smaller version and is ideal for those who don't have that six CD box set.

CD 1: Live at the Mayfair, Glasgow, 13th September 1982. Tracks: "Garden Party", "She Chameleon" and "Three Boats Down From The Candy". Live at the Marquee Club, London, 30th December 1982. Tracks: "Script For A Jester's Tear", "Chelsea Monday" and "Forgotten Sons". Live at the Reading Festival, 27th August 1983. Tracks: "Grendel", "Charting The Single" and "He Knows You Know".

CD 2: Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, 14th December 1984. Tracks: "Assassing", "Punch And Judy", "The Pseudo-Silk Kimono", "Kayleigh", "Bitter Suite", "Heart Of Lothian" and "Fugazi". Live at Wembley Arena, London, 5th November 1987. Tracks: "Slainte Mhath", "Sugar Mice", "Hotel Hobbies", "Warm Wet Circles", "That Time Of The Night" and "The Last Straw". Live at Fife Aid, St. Andrews, 23th July 1988. Track: "Market Square Heroes". The original studio tracks were originally released in different forms: "Grendel", "Three Boats Down From The Candy" and "Market Square Heroes" were originally recorded on their debut EP "Market Square Heroes", of 1982. "Charting The Single" was originally recorded as the B side of their single "He Knows You Know", of 1983. "Garden Party", "He Knows You Know", "Forgotten Sons", "Chelsea Monday" and "Script For A Jester's Tear" were originally recorded on their debut studio album "Script For A Jester's Tear", of 1983. "She Chameleon", "Assassing", "Punch And Judy", and "Fugazi" were originally recorded on their second studio album "Fugazi", of 1984. "Pseudo-Silk Kimono", "Kayleigh", "Bitter Suite" and "Heart Of Lothian" were originally recorded on their third studio album "Misplaced Childhood", of 1985. "Slainte Mhath", "Sugar Mice", "Hotel Hobbies", "Warm Wet Circles", "That Time Of The Night" and "The Last Straw" were originally recorded on their fourth studio album "Clutching At Straws", of 1987.

So, from "Market Square Heroes" we have the three tracks. It's an excellent debut work from the band. "Market Square Heroes" soon became an important landmark to the prog rock music. Especially "Grendel" that is one of their best tracks and their great epic. From "Script For A Jester's Tear" we have five tracks. It's an amazing work and represented a landmark and a breath of fresh air that progressive rock music needed so much at the time. We can say that since "Script For A Jester's Tear" the world of progressive rock has raised again and no longer was the same. From "Fugazi" we have four tracks. It's another great work and remains an album highly recommended to all prog rock fans. It isn't as good as the debut but has some amazing moments too. But, it simply mustn't be compared with the previous one. From "Misplaced Childhood" we have four tracks. It's their crown of glory. With that album Marillion reached the status of be one of the best prog rock bands. From "Clutching At Straws" we have six tracks. It's another excellent work. Probably it's a more mature work than the three previous works. Perhaps the lyrics and compositions are more emotional and dramatic as ever on Fish's era. Finally, we have also a track that was only released as a single, "Charting The Single".

Conclusion: While Fish was in the band, Marillion recorded four extraordinary albums and each of them is presented in some fashion across this compilation. Through these never before heard tracks, through "Early Stages: The Highlights", we find early interpretations of the works we would come to find on "Script For A Jester's Tear", "Fugazi", "Misplaced Childhood" and "Clutching At Straws", not forgetting their great debut work, the EP "Market Square Heroes". Facts like these make of this compilation a great journey into the bands beginnings and time with Fish in the live sense because when it came down to the official releases we would only get "The Thieving Magpie". But that album was more focused on "Misplaced Childhood" and "Clutching At Straws" the most and left far too much off for the heavy duty fans. And that's where these shows now come into play as an incredible find. But is even better if fans, instead of "Early Stages: The Highlights", spend a bit more money and they buy "Early Stages: The Official Bootlegs 1982-1987".

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

"The Singles '82?88'" is a compilation album by UK progressive rock act Marillion. The compilation was released through EMI Records in 2000. It compiles the material from all singles (including all B-side tracks from the various versions of the singles) released in the period 1982-1988 with lead vocalist Fish on front, before his departure from Marillion in October 1988 (although the "Freaks" single was released in November 1988 one month after Fish had left). 12 individual CD singles featuring the Mark Wilkinson cover artwork from the original vinyl singles. The box-set was re-issued in October 2009 with all 12 singles compiled on a three-CD box-set. Both issues feature exactly the same tracks.

While all material on the compilation is well worth your time, as it´s quality neo-progressive rock from the 80s, it´s not a given that alternate mixes, re-recordings, extented versions of tracks, and radio edits of some tracks are interesting to the more casual listener. The most relevant A- and B side single tracks from that time have already been compiled and released on the "B-Sides Themselves" (January 1988, EMI Records) compilation album. So "The Singles '82?88'" is what I´d characterize as a hardcore fan item. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

"Freaks" is a single release by UK progressive rock act Marillion. The single was released through EMI Records in November 1988. It was released to promote the forthcoming release of the double-live album "The Thieving Magpie" (November 1988, EMI Records. The single was released in several versions, one of which features both the regular single A- and B-side tracks "Freaks" and "Kayleigh" (live versions) and live versions of "Childhoods End?" and "White Feather". "Freaks" was released one month after lead vocalist Fish had officially left Marillion in October 1988, and it´s the last Marillion single to feature his vocal contributions.

All four tracks from the single are available on "The Thieving Magpie", so it´s a bit redundant if you own the live album, but that´s the case with many of Marillion´s singles, which really didn´t provide the listener with much exclusive material. Judged on the quality of the material alone, this is a 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating, but because of the redundancy of the release, a 3.5 star (70%) rating will do. This one is for the hardcore collectors.