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MARILLION

Neo-Prog • United Kingdom


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Marillion picture
Marillion biography
Formed in 1979 in Aylesbury, UK (as Silmarillion, after the Tolkien novel) - Still active as of 2019

Pioneers of the second wave of progressive rock

The Early Years

After some early line-up changes, the first recognisable incarnation of the band was complete by 1982, with FISH (real name Derek William Dick), a charismatic Scottish frontman vocalist, Steve ROTHERY on guitars, Peter Trewavas on bass, Mark Kelly on keyboards, and Mick Pointer on drums.

The band built their reputation the old-fashioned way by gigging extensively, but their profile was also raised by some clever manipulation of the music press, especially journals such as Sounds, in which Fish often interviewed his proposition that the band were "prog with attitude", a new force for the post-punk era.

This profile landed them a record deal with EMI records, and, in 1982, they released an EP Market Square Heroes, which, it is fair to say, had more than a passing resemblance to the Genesis classic, The Knife. Also appearing was a monster prog track called Grendel.

However, it was the release in 1983 of their debut long player, Script For A Jester's Tear, which brought them to the wider attention of the rock world. The album spawned hit singles in Garden Party and He Knows You Know, was critically well received, and reached number 7 in the UK album charts.

The band's progress and workload were relentless after this point. They proved themselves to be somewhat merciless in the pursuit of musical and commercial success by ditching Pointer, who was felt to be sub-standard, and replacing him eventually with, after what the band described as their "Spinal Tap" period for drumming, Ian Mosley, formerly of The Steve Hackett Band. Pointer went on to jointly form Arena, a classic neo outfit who still record today, and still tours his Script era version of Marillion. The difference Mosley made, though, both live and in the studio, was palpable.

The line-up released three more albums; Fugazi, Misplaced Childhood, and, finally Clutching At Straws.

Misplaced Childhood was a massive hit, reaching number 1 in the UK charts in 1985, and responsible for huge hit singles in Kayleigh, Lavender, and Heart of Lothian. By this time, Fish had ditched his trademark face paint, - the music and his sheer personality were a tour de force in them...
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MARILLION discography


Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums

MARILLION top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.25 | 2215 ratings
Script for a Jester's Tear
1983
4.00 | 1519 ratings
Fugazi
1984
4.27 | 2394 ratings
Misplaced Childhood
1985
4.19 | 1517 ratings
Clutching at Straws
1987
3.77 | 1010 ratings
Seasons End
1989
3.15 | 771 ratings
Holidays in Eden
1991
3.98 | 1195 ratings
Brave
1994
3.82 | 810 ratings
Afraid Of Sunlight
1995
3.46 | 662 ratings
This Strange Engine
1997
2.77 | 593 ratings
Radiation
1998
3.11 | 558 ratings
Marillion.com
1999
3.39 | 636 ratings
Anoraknophobia
2001
4.11 | 1218 ratings
Marbles
2004
3.06 | 603 ratings
Somewhere Else
2007
3.36 | 638 ratings
Happiness Is The Road
2008
2.78 | 404 ratings
Less Is More
2009
3.63 | 710 ratings
Sounds That Can't Be Made
2012
3.74 | 454 ratings
F E A R (F*** Everyone And Run)
2016
4.00 | 243 ratings
An Hour Before It's Dark
2022

MARILLION Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.88 | 358 ratings
Real to Reel
1984
3.88 | 356 ratings
The Thieving Magpie - La Gazza Ladra
1988
2.24 | 36 ratings
Live at the Borderline
1992
3.21 | 43 ratings
Live in Glasgow
1993
3.51 | 55 ratings
Live in Caracas
1993
4.12 | 113 ratings
Live From Loreley
1995
3.43 | 162 ratings
Made Again
1996
3.67 | 75 ratings
Live At The Walls
1998
3.63 | 45 ratings
Piston Broke
1998
3.08 | 31 ratings
Marillionrochester
1998
3.17 | 43 ratings
Zodiac
1999
3.79 | 90 ratings
Anorak in the UK Live
2002
4.07 | 56 ratings
Brave Live 2002
2003
3.39 | 17 ratings
Christmas In The Chapel
2003
4.50 | 57 ratings
Curtain Call - A Live Archive 1983 - 1988
2004
4.17 | 112 ratings
Marbles Live
2005
3.97 | 60 ratings
Marbles By The Sea
2005
3.69 | 48 ratings
Popular Music
2005
3.42 | 17 ratings
Bootleg Bingo
2005
3.65 | 44 ratings
Smoke
2006
3.79 | 51 ratings
Mirrors
2006
4.24 | 57 ratings
Family
2007
3.94 | 46 ratings
Friends
2007
3.64 | 38 ratings
Somewhere in London
2007
4.54 | 113 ratings
Early Stages: The Official Bootlegs 1982-1987
2008
4.63 | 125 ratings
Recital of the Script
2009
4.45 | 122 ratings
Live From Loreley
2009
4.09 | 35 ratings
Happiness Is Cologne
2009
3.64 | 31 ratings
High Voltage
2010
4.03 | 52 ratings
The Official Bootleg Box Set Vol. 2
2010
3.66 | 51 ratings
Tumbling Down The Years
2010
4.00 | 52 ratings
size matters
2010
3.82 | 30 ratings
Live In Montréal // Saturday
2010
3.81 | 28 ratings
Live In Montréal // Sunday
2010
3.74 | 27 ratings
Live In Montréal // Friday
2011
3.71 | 32 ratings
holidays in eden live
2011
4.14 | 57 ratings
Live From Cadogan Hall
2011
3.80 | 25 ratings
Afraid of Sunlight Live
2011
3.60 | 24 ratings
This Strange Engine Live
2011
3.71 | 26 ratings
Seasons End Live
2011
3.66 | 28 ratings
A-Z Live 2011
2012
3.87 | 43 ratings
Sounds Live
2012
3.67 | 23 ratings
The Glow Must Go On
2012
3.59 | 30 ratings
Clocks Already Ticking
2013
3.95 | 41 ratings
Brave Live 2013
2013
3.63 | 8 ratings
Best of Montréal
2013
3.50 | 6 ratings
Best of Leamington
2013
3.92 | 13 ratings
Live At The Forum
2014
3.94 | 32 ratings
Sunday Night Above the Rain
2014
3.60 | 10 ratings
A Monstrously Festive(al) Christmas
2015
4.45 | 20 ratings
Waves and Numb3rs
2016
3.91 | 31 ratings
Marbles in the Park
2016
4.36 | 22 ratings
Singles Night
2016
4.00 | 8 ratings
The Gold - Best of Convention 2017
2017
3.86 | 7 ratings
Live In Chile
2017
4.77 | 34 ratings
All One Tonight - Live at the Royal Albert Hall
2018
4.20 | 10 ratings
marillion.cl/viernes.noche
2019
3.80 | 10 ratings
marillion.cl/dotcom
2019
4.00 | 8 ratings
marillion.cl/en.marquee
2019
4.13 | 19 ratings
With Friends at St. David's
2021
4.65 | 8 ratings
Distant Lights - Port Zelande
2022
4.60 | 5 ratings
Distant Lights - Leicester
2022
0.00 | 0 ratings
An Hour Before It's Dark Live In Port Zelande 2023
2023

MARILLION Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

4.38 | 186 ratings
Recital of the Script
1983
3.45 | 37 ratings
Video
1984
2.68 | 35 ratings
1982-86 The Videos
1986
3.74 | 35 ratings
A Singles Collection
1992
4.68 | 69 ratings
Brave Live 2002
2002
2.87 | 17 ratings
Shot In The Dark
2002
4.58 | 19 ratings
A Piss-up in a Brewery
2002
3.18 | 48 ratings
The EMI Singles Collection
2002
3.69 | 62 ratings
From Stoke Row To Ipanema - A Year In The Life (DVD)
2003
3.93 | 22 ratings
Christmas In The Chapel
2003
4.22 | 18 ratings
Before First Light (Afraid of Sunlight Live 2003)
2003
4.47 | 160 ratings
Live from Loreley
2004
4.01 | 84 ratings
Marbles On The Road
2004
2.80 | 58 ratings
Brave - The Film
2004
4.19 | 31 ratings
Wish You Were Here
2005
4.30 | 10 ratings
Colours And Sound
2006
4.21 | 61 ratings
Somewhere In London
2007
4.33 | 21 ratings
Bootleg Butlins
2007
3.73 | 13 ratings
Thank You Whoever You Are / Most Toys
2007
3.57 | 18 ratings
Something Else
2007
4.43 | 14 ratings
This Strange Convention
2009
4.67 | 6 ratings
M Tube: An Introduction To Marillion On DVD
2010
4.49 | 58 ratings
Out Of Season
2010
4.13 | 52 ratings
Live At Cadogan Hall
2011
4.61 | 28 ratings
Live In Montréal
2011
4.46 | 29 ratings
Holidays in Zelande
2012
4.08 | 35 ratings
Brave Live 2013
2013
4.80 | 15 ratings
A Sunday Night Above The Rain
2014
4.32 | 19 ratings
Breaking Records
2015
4.23 | 21 ratings
Out Of The Box
2016
4.74 | 19 ratings
Marbles in the Park
2016
4.84 | 37 ratings
All One Tonight
2018

MARILLION Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.51 | 237 ratings
B'Sides Themselves
1988
0.00 | 0 ratings
B'Sides Themselves
1988
2.96 | 88 ratings
A Singles Collection - Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other
1992
1.71 | 12 ratings
Marillion Music Collection
1993
4.11 | 18 ratings
The Originals
1995
2.88 | 46 ratings
Kayleigh
1996
3.78 | 11 ratings
The Best of Marillion
1996
3.12 | 6 ratings
Essential Collection
1996
3.41 | 60 ratings
The Best of Both Worlds
1997
4.08 | 105 ratings
Real to Reel - Brief Encounter
1997
3.09 | 13 ratings
Kayleigh - The Essential Collection
1998
2.21 | 64 ratings
Marillion and the Positive Light - Tales from the Engine Room
1998
4.03 | 55 ratings
The singles '82 - 88'
2000
3.20 | 11 ratings
Refracted! - From dusk 'till dot, Volume 1
2001
3.38 | 8 ratings
Another DAT at the Office
2001
3.10 | 10 ratings
Fall Out
2002
3.18 | 19 ratings
marillion.co.uk
2002
3.18 | 9 ratings
AWOL: A Marillion Solo Projects Sampler
2002
3.55 | 34 ratings
The singles '89- 95'
2002
4.00 | 8 ratings
The Best Of Marillion (EMI Compilation)
2003
3.24 | 6 ratings
Warm Wet Circles
2003
3.29 | 12 ratings
marillion.co.uk (2005 Version)
2005
3.27 | 7 ratings
Classics
2009
4.50 | 2 ratings
Keep The Noise Down
2010
4.19 | 12 ratings
Misplaced Childhood / Script For A Jester's Tear
2011
3.88 | 8 ratings
4 Albums
2011
3.67 | 6 ratings
Greatest Hits On CD & DVD
2012
4.21 | 19 ratings
Marillion.Best.Live
2012
3.92 | 13 ratings
Sounds That Can't Be Made Special Edition
2013
3.96 | 5 ratings
5 Album Set
2013
4.17 | 19 ratings
Early Stages : The Highlights
2013
2.38 | 7 ratings
Best Sounds
2014
4.29 | 26 ratings
A Sunday Night Above the Rain
2014
2.92 | 13 ratings
A Collection Of Recycled Gifts
2014
4.90 | 39 ratings
Misplaced Childhood
2017
4.72 | 28 ratings
Brave (Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition)
2018
4.80 | 32 ratings
Clutching At Straws
2018
4.11 | 44 ratings
With Friends from the Orchestra
2019
4.67 | 24 ratings
Afraid Of Sunlight (Limited Deluxe Edition)
2019
4.95 | 30 ratings
Script For A Jester's Tear (2020 Limited Deluxe Edition)
2020
4.87 | 27 ratings
Fugazi (2021 Limited Deluxe Edition)
2021
4.21 | 10 ratings
Holidays in Eden (2022 Limited Deluxe Edition)
2022
4.18 | 9 ratings
Seasons End deluxe edition
2023

MARILLION Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

3.91 | 134 ratings
Market Square Heroes
1982
3.74 | 59 ratings
Garden Party
1983
3.90 | 56 ratings
He Knows You Know
1983
3.91 | 55 ratings
Punch and Judy
1984
3.53 | 72 ratings
Assassing
1984
3.58 | 74 ratings
Kayleigh
1985
4.11 | 9 ratings
The Story So Far...
1985
3.79 | 68 ratings
Lavender
1985
3.50 | 65 ratings
Heart of Lothian
1985
2.72 | 78 ratings
Brief Encounter
1986
3.55 | 19 ratings
Garden Party Live
1986
3.68 | 37 ratings
Lady Nina
1986
4.01 | 48 ratings
Sugar Mice
1987
3.49 | 44 ratings
Incommunicado
1987
3.98 | 46 ratings
Warm Wet Circles
1987
3.00 | 24 ratings
Incommunicado & Sugar Mice - Video
1987
3.65 | 36 ratings
Freaks
1988
3.59 | 29 ratings
Uninvited Guest
1989
4.14 | 36 ratings
Easter
1989
3.17 | 30 ratings
hooks in you
1989
3.09 | 27 ratings
No One Can
1991
2.50 | 21 ratings
Cover My Eyes (Pain and Heaven)
1991
2.89 | 19 ratings
Dry Land
1991
2.75 | 8 ratings
No One Can
1992
3.59 | 27 ratings
Sympathy
1992
3.43 | 27 ratings
Sympathy
1992
3.50 | 16 ratings
No One Can
1992
4.10 | 10 ratings
The Hollow Man
1994
4.00 | 12 ratings
The Hollow Man
1994
3.69 | 13 ratings
Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury
1994
3.92 | 12 ratings
Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury
1994
3.73 | 26 ratings
Beautiful
1995
2.95 | 24 ratings
Beautiful
1995
4.06 | 24 ratings
The Making of Brave
1995
4.03 | 22 ratings
Man of a Thousand Faces
1997
3.70 | 20 ratings
Eighty Days
1997
2.98 | 22 ratings
These Chains (Single)
1998
3.00 | 8 ratings
Marillion & the Web Christmas 1998
1998
0.00 | 0 ratings
Marillion & The Web Christmas 1998 Happy Christmas Everybody!
1998
3.25 | 4 ratings
Rich
1999
3.42 | 12 ratings
Marillion.Christmas
1999
2.79 | 16 ratings
Marillion.co.uk
2000
3.70 | 10 ratings
Crash Course - An Introduction to Marillion
2001
2.73 | 17 ratings
A Verry Barry Christmas
2001
4.06 | 16 ratings
Between You And Me / Map Of The World
2001
3.86 | 19 ratings
Christmas 2000: A Piss-Up In A Brewery
2001
3.24 | 6 ratings
Front Row Club Issue 7
2002
4.13 | 6 ratings
Le Spectrum, Montréal, Canada, 6 September 1997 (Front Row Club 008)
2002
3.80 | 5 ratings
Christmas 2002: Santa And His Elvis
2002
4.00 | 1 ratings
Ludwigshalle, Dieburg, Germany 9 November 1998 - Front Row Club 1
2002
3.50 | 2 ratings
Caught in the Net - The Making of Marillion.com
2002
4.05 | 10 ratings
Say Cheese, Christmas With Marillion
2003
4.00 | 1 ratings
View From The Balcony (A Front Row Club Sampler)
2003
3.00 | 9 ratings
Christmas 2004: Baubles
2004
2.14 | 11 ratings
Remixomatosis
2004
3.50 | 2 ratings
The Damage (Live)
2004
4.20 | 5 ratings
Christmas 2005 : Merry Xmas To Our Flock
2005
2.49 | 12 ratings
A Handful Of Marbles
2005
3.33 | 3 ratings
Unzipped - The Making Of Anoraknophobia
2006
3.75 | 4 ratings
Christmas 2006: The Jingle Book
2006
3.00 | 2 ratings
See It Like a Baby
2007
4.00 | 4 ratings
Somewhere Elf - Christmas 2007
2007
2.70 | 14 ratings
Thank You Whoever You Are
2007
3.19 | 12 ratings
Thank You Whoever You Are / Most Toys
2007
4.00 | 6 ratings
ABC, Glasgow, Scotland. 9 November 2008
2008
3.75 | 4 ratings
The Basement, Newcastle, UK. 10 November 2008
2008
4.20 | 5 ratings
Colston Hall, Bristol, UK. 11 November 2008
2008
4.50 | 2 ratings
LMUSU, Leeds, UK. 13 November 2008
2008
4.50 | 2 ratings
Academy, Manchester, UK. 14 November 2008
2008
4.50 | 4 ratings
Opera House, Bournemouth, UK. 15 November 2008
2008
4.00 | 10 ratings
The Forum, London, UK. 19 November 2008
2008
4.50 | 2 ratings
JBs, Dudley, UK. 17 November 2008
2008
4.33 | 3 ratings
Rock City, Nottingham, UK. 18 November 2008
2008
2.42 | 3 ratings
De Waerdse Temple, Heerhugowaard, Netherlands. 21 November
2008
5.00 | 2 ratings
013, Tilburg, Netherlands. 23 November 2008
2008
5.00 | 2 ratings
Vereeniging, Nijmegen, Netherlands. 24 November 2008
2008
4.27 | 6 ratings
E-Werk, Cologne, Germany. 26 November 2008
2008
5.00 | 2 ratings
Le Splendid, Lille, France. 27 November 2008
2008
3.40 | 10 ratings
Christmas 2008: Pudding On The Ritz
2008
3.00 | 1 ratings
Whatever Is Wrong with You
2008
4.04 | 5 ratings
Happiness on the Road - Concorde 2 Brighton - 28 January 2009
2009
4.00 | 2 ratings
Christmas 2009: Snow De Cologne
2009
3.17 | 5 ratings
Crash Course
2009
4.00 | 2 ratings
Christmas 2010: Ding, Dong Loreley On High...
2010
4.00 | 2 ratings
Christmas 2011: Live At The German Space Day 2004
2011
3.33 | 3 ratings
Christmas 2012: Sleighed Again
2012
4.60 | 5 ratings
North American Tour 2012: Irwing Plaza, New York City, USA - 12 June 2012
2012
4.40 | 5 ratings
North American Tour 2012: Irwing Plaza, New York City, USA - 13 June 2012
2012
4.33 | 6 ratings
Crash Course
2013
3.39 | 12 ratings
The Carol Of The Bells
2013
4.00 | 2 ratings
Christmas 2013: Proggin' Around The Christmas Tree
2013
4.00 | 5 ratings
Christmas 2014: Chile For The Time Of Year
2014
3.00 | 1 ratings
Glass Half Full - The Making of Marbles
2015
4.00 | 3 ratings
The New Kings
2016
0.00 | 0 ratings
Festivities, Elation And Rejoicing! Christmas 2016
2016
0.00 | 0 ratings
Christmas At The Club (Christmas 2017)
2017
3.85 | 13 ratings
Living In F E A R
2017
3.00 | 2 ratings
A Star in the East Live in Japan 2018 (Xmas 2018)
2018
3.00 | 1 ratings
Unsound
2018
3.00 | 2 ratings
Mr Taurus - The Making of Somewhere Else
2019
3.00 | 2 ratings
Satellite Navigation - The Making of Happiness Is the Road
2019
3.00 | 1 ratings
Christmas 2020
2020
4.46 | 19 ratings
Be Hard on Yourself
2021
3.95 | 16 ratings
Murder Machines
2022

MARILLION Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Recital of the Script by MARILLION album cover Live, 2009
4.63 | 125 ratings

BUY
Recital of the Script
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by VianaProghead
Prog Reviewer

5 stars Review Nš 750

According to the live albums of Marillion added to Progarchives, "Recital Of The Script" is the twenty sixth live album of Marillion. It represents one of the live performances of Marillion in Fish's era. Despite it was recorded from a live show performed at the Hammersmith Odeon, in London, in 1983, it was only released in 2009. The recordings were taken from one of the final live shows of their live tour made by the band to promote their debut studio album "Script For A Jester's Tear". It comprises songs from that album as well as the all tracks included on their famous debut EP "Market Square Heroes", and also the B side of their single "He Knows You Know", released to promote "Script For A Jester's Tear".

"Recital Of The Script" is an important live album for Marillion. It's also an interesting live document because it features the former drummer member of the band Mick Pointer, in one of the rare live documents from him with Marillion. He left Marillion to found the band Arena, where he still is their current drummer. So, the line up on "Recital Of The Script" is Fish (vocals), Steve Rothery (guitars), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Pete Trewavas (bass) and Mick Pointer (drums).

"Recital Of The Script" is a live album with ten tracks. The first track "Script For A Jester's Tear" was originally released on their debut album "Script For a Jester's Tear". The second track "Garden Party" was also originally released on "Script For a Jester's Tear". The third track "Three Boats Down From The Candy" was originally released on their debut EP "Market Square Heroes". It was also originally released as the B side of their debut single "Market Square Heroes". It was also released on their single "Punch And Judy". The fourth track "The Web" was originally released on "Script For a Jester's Tear". The fifth track "Charting The Single" was originally released on their single "He Knows You Know". The sixth track "Chelsea Monday" was originally released on "Script For a Jester's Tear". The seventh track "He Knows You Know" was also originally released on "Script For a Jester's Tear". The eighth track "Forgotten Sons" was also originally released on "Script For a Jester's Tear". The ninth track "Market Square Heroes" was originally released on "Market Square Heroes". It was also originally released as the A side of their debut single "Market Square Heroes". It was also released as the B side of their single "Punch And Judy". The tenth and last track "Grendel" was originally released on "Market Square Heroes". It was the B side of the EP "Market Square Heroes".

As I mentioned above, from the early days, when Mick Pointer was still in Marillion on drums, these recordings were compiled on this "Recital Of The Script" CD and also on a DVD, with all the material from the first album and from their debut EP. Here it's one of the pinnacles of the best symphonic progressive rock with compositions at their height and in the same line and quality of many of the great classic prog bands such as Genesis or Yes. Here is the multicoloured sound of Mark Kelly's keys, the plucking of the shy Steve Rothery, and above all, the portentous vocal and imaginative display of that entertainer that is Fish. With some of the best material ever composed by Marillion like "Forgotten Sons", with its changes of time and its impossible structure, the almost twenty minutes of "Grendel", with the front man characterized as the warrior from the Danish poem "Beowulf", the wonderful lyricism of "Script For A Jester's Tear", the inimitable guitar solos of "Chelsea Monday" and "The Web", the melancholy of "He Knows You Know", the jumping keyboards of "Garden Party", and finally the communion with the public. All this shows perfectly well that Marillion is one of those bands with an entourage of fans that would follow them to the end of the world if necessary. Marillion with Fish gave to us a few hours of music that will never be sufficiently valued, even when they are only on a CD or a DVD.

Conclusion: "Recital Of The Script" is really a great live album. In my humble opinion, "Recital Of The Script" is with "Live From Loreley" the two best live documents from the band comprising Fish's era. I prefer these two albums to "Real To Reel" and "The Thieving Magpie ? La Gazza Ladra". It's true that both are also two great live albums, but they aren't, for me, as good and cohesive as "Recital Of The Script" and "Live From Loreley" are. Of course I don't know yet their fifteenth live album "Curtain Call A Live Archive 1983 ? 1988". However, I don't think that it can be better because it's a box set with 6 CD's comprising live performances from three different stages in different times. So, therefore, I can't believe that it can be so cohesive and so good than these two albums are, despite it can be considered as the ultimate Fish's era Marillion live experience. Returning to "Recital Of The Script", it's a great value live album from Marillion in Fish's era, because besides being a great live album, it's the most high quality live recording from their original line up, a rare live document with Mick Pointer. And finally, it's also particularly a must have for all Marillion's fans of their first musical era. As a conclusion, we can even say that "Recital Of The Script" is the perfect companion to "Live From Loreley". I really think that both albums are two indispensable live documents from Marillion in Fish's era.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

 This Strange Engine by MARILLION album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.46 | 662 ratings

BUY
This Strange Engine
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by Hector Enrique
Prog Reviewer

3 stars After two works of deep and dark reflections such as "Brave" and "Afraid of Sunlight", Marillion breathes less choppy and more relaxed with "This Strange Engine", their ninth album.

An irregular proposal, which combines moments of great harmonic freshness as with the opening "A Man of a Thousand Faces" or the expressive "80 Days" showing a decidedly eloquent Steve Hogarth, with others of solemn melancholy as with the peaceful "Memory Of Water", and contrasted with the insipidity of "An Accidental Man" and the inexplicably failed "Hope For The Future" of Caribbean rhythms, a misstep as was "Cannibal Surf Babe" on "Afraid of Sunlight".

But the album's lack of cohesion did not prevent the Englishmen from delivering a couple of sublime pieces: the emotional and breezy "Estonia", referring to the tragedy of the ferry of the same name in the icy Baltic Sea in September 1994 and featuring the interesting string nuance of Tim Perkins' balalaika (a kind of lute of Russian origin) and, above all, Hogarth's extensive and heartfelt tribute to his father in the confessional "This Strange Engine", with Mark Kelly in the leading role and very uninhibited on keyboards (with a circumstantial Wakemanian air), Steve Rothery's sustained guitar solos, Phil Todd's dramatic saxophone and an instrumental development with tension surges and silent pauses in the progressive style that end with an unbridled vocal discharge by Hogarth. Surely the best moment of the album and a more than acceptable closure. The change from the giant multinational record label EMI and its extensive networks to one with more frugal resources such as Castle Communications, added to a proposal whose consistency falters in some passages, prevented "This Strange Engine" from having a great repercussion and recognition at the time.

3 stars

 Afraid Of Sunlight by MARILLION album cover Studio Album, 1995
3.82 | 810 ratings

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Afraid Of Sunlight
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by Hector Enrique
Prog Reviewer

3 stars "Afraid of Sunlight", Marillion's eighth album, continues the path traced by "Brave", but taking their proposal to an even more introspective level. Without being a full-fledged concept album, the subject matter reflects in several passages on how difficult it is to deal with the demands and challenges that come with fame, accompanying the stories with an instrumentation that favours dark and suffocating atmospheres, something that generated friction and the subsequent break-up with their record label at the time (EMI), who were expecting a more agile and less bitter work.

Beyond the opening "Gazpacho" referring to the controversial case of O.J. Simpson case, and the satirical "Cannibal Surf Babe", an unfortunate piece in Beach Boys mode that deals with eternal youthful souls, the album dives into the depths of the psyche without haste and with few individual displays in favour of a group instrumental solidity, guided by Steve Hogarth's apt verses, as in the peaceful and inspiring "Beautiful", one of the band's most heartfelt ballads, or in the fearful "Afraid of Sunlight" and the desolate "Out of this World", both impregnated with an overwhelming melancholy. A depth that at times can also border on exasperation due to the excessively weary tone of the aching "Afraid of Sunrise" and "Beyond You".

The album concludes with its most outstanding piece, "King", which deals with the tragic end of Kurt Cobain with a dramatism that grows until it reaches the instrumental climax with Steve Rothery's powerful solo, one of the guitarist's rare licences, accompanied by Ian Mosley's very good percussion and with the band in full swing. A closing song where the Englishmen show all the intensity they are capable of transmitting when they set their minds to it.

"Afraid of Sunlight" is serious and complex in its subject matter, careful and neat in its production, and perhaps lacking a little more energetic forcefulness in its musical development to consider it an excellent work, a point that I don't think it reached.

3/3.5 stars.

 Brave by MARILLION album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.98 | 1195 ratings

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Brave
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by Hector Enrique
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Pressed by the questions about the very accessible "Holidays in Eden", Marillion were facing dark clouds on the horizon of their post-Fish era. And it took three long years to finally find the formula that put them back in an expectant position in the progressive scene: "Brave", their seventh album. A profound reflection on the failed suicide attempt of a teenager troubled by her meaningless life, a real event that Hogarth masterfully recreates from fiction, supported by the substantial instrumental contribution of the band.

Laden with melancholy and shadows from Mark Kelly's opening dramatic synth chords mixed with the fluttering of water in "Bridge", the album painfully transitions through the hopelessness of "Living with the Big Lie", the instrumental intensity of "Run Away" guided by Steve Rothery's guitar arpeggios and solos and Kelly's keyboards, and the transporting hypnotic whispers and psychedelic musicality of "iii. The Opium" and "iv. The Slide", sections of the extended "Goodbye to All That".

And after some more hard-rocking passages like "Hard as Love" and the sensationalist "Paper Lies", the introspective mode of "Brave", the album's title piece, showcases Hogarth's heartfelt vocal performance before giving way to the orchestrated "The Great Escape", summing up the feel of the whole work with the singer again at the helm until the final, watery sounds that give a circular effect reminiscent of the beginnings of "Bridge".

But as nothing is over until it's over, Marillion don't let the gloom take over the story completely, and it's when finally the acoustic and rhythmic "Made Again" emerges peacefully to convey the message that, despite everything, there is always hope. A beautiful closing track.

The conceptual "Brave", one of the best works of the Hogarth era, gave a new impetus to Marillion's career going forward.

Very good.

4 stars

 Holidays in Eden by MARILLION album cover Studio Album, 1991
3.15 | 771 ratings

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Holidays in Eden
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by Hector Enrique
Prog Reviewer

3 stars While the songs on "Season's End", the first Marillion album without Fish, were already ready before Steve Hogarth's arrival, "Holidays in Eden", the sixth album, is the first one where the singer really had a relevant participation in the definition of the band's new musical approach. A proposal of more linear and less intricate tonalities, on the way to finding their own identity and taking distance from their recent history. That is precisely what "Holidays in Eden" conveys, flying in winds closer to pop, turning at times into a work with little flavour and tinged with some flashes of greater elaboration.

Hogarth, who decisively tries to take charge of the situation although he is somewhat impostured, is accompanied by the calm keyboards of Mark Kelly and by the neat arpeggiated guitars and solos of the very correct Steve Rothery, generating an atmosphere of lightness and persistent accessibility throughout the album, getting closer to the commercial radio waves rather than to the canons of the progressive world, as is the case of the lively "Cover my Eyes", and the light "No One Can" and "Dry Land". Even the expectant title track with its catchy chorus fails to get off the ground.

Beyond the feeling that "Holidays in Eden" doesn't take any major risks, there are nevertheless some valuable passages: the opening, sorrowful "Splintering Heart", the acoustic chords of the melodic "Waiting to Happen", and the concluding "100 Nights" with an emotive guitar solo by Rothery backed by Ian Mosley's drums. Tracks that are enough for the album to scrape a pass mark, but not much more than that.

A new and definitive stage was underway for Marillion, and the hitherto little known Hogarth clearly assumed the musical leadership from "Holidays in Eden" onwards.

2.5/3 stars

 Live From Loreley by MARILLION album cover Live, 2009
4.45 | 122 ratings

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Live From Loreley
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by VianaProghead
Prog Reviewer

5 stars Review Nš 742

"Live From Loreley" is one of the many live albums from Marillion and that was released in 2009. It was recorded from a live concert performed at the Freilichtbuhne (Open-Air Stage), Loreley, St. Goarshausen, Germany, in 1987. The recordings of the album were taken during the supporting tour of their fourth studio album "Clutching At Straws", before an audience of about 18,000. Featuring Fish on vocals, and it was one his last live performances as a member of Marillion, it comprises songs of all four Marillion's studio albums from Fish's era, "Script For A Jester's Tear" released in 1983, "Fugazi" released in 1984, "Misplaced Childhood" released in 1985 and "Clutching At Straws" released in 1987. It comprises also the title track song of their debut EP and work, "Market Square Heroes" which was released in 1982.

The line up on "Live From Loreley" was the usual at the time for them: Fish (vocals), Steve Rothery (guitars), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Pete Trewavas (bass) and Ian Mosley (drums). It had also the participation of Cori Josias (backing vocals).

First of all I must say that my review is about the 2009 double audio CD version, which for the first time includes the entire live show. So, my version of "Live From Loreley" has eighteenth tracks. The album is divided into 2 Discs. Disc 1 has seven tracks: The first track "Slainte Mhath" was released on "Clutching At Straws". The second track "Assassing" was released on "Fugazi". The third track "Script For A Jester's Tear" was released on "Script For A Jester's Tear". The fourth track "White Russian" was released on "Clutching At Straws". The fifth track "Incubus" was released on "Fugazi". The sixth track "Sugar Mice" was released on "Clutching At Straws". The seventh track "Fugazi" was released on "Fugazi". Disc 2 has eleven tracks: The first track "Hotel Hobbies" was released on "Clutching At Straws". The second track "Warm Wet Circles" was also released on "Clutching At Straws". The third track "That Time Of The Night (The Short Straw)" was also released on "Clutching At Straws". The fourth track "Kayleigh" was released on "Misplaced Childhood". The fifth track "Lavender" was also released on "Misplaced Childhood". The sixth track "Bitter Suite (Medley)" was also released on "Misplaced Childhood". The seventh track "Heart Of Lothian" was also released on "Misplaced Childhood". The eighth track "The Last Straw" was released on "Clutching At Straws". The ninth track "Incommunicado" was also released on "Clutching At Straws". The tenth track "Garden Party" was released on "Script For A Jester's Tear". The eleventh track "Market Square Heroes" was released on their debut EP "Market Square Heroes" and it was the first song of its A side. It was also released as the A side of their debut single with the same name "Market Square Heroes". It was also released as the first song of the B side of their single "Punch And Judy".

"Live From Loreley" belongs to those days where prog bands like Marillion were among the highlights and played at Loreley. At the time, Marillion was then promoting their fourth studio album "Clutching At Straws" and still with Fish on vocals. At the time, they were at the commercial peak of their career. "Live From Loreley" has since been available on video and DVD, but the sound technically revised audio CD comes with more four additional tracks "White Russian", "Fugazi", "Garden Party" and "Market Square Heroes". But, even the revision cannot hide the fact that the concert on Loreley was primarily a very emotional live event, celebrated frenetically by 18,000 fans. Marillion always was a very successful live band because Marillion looked better lives, especially with Fish on vocals. The successful set list of the almost two hours of performance makes up for it, because whoever buys a live album shouldn't count on the intended perfection of the studio. And "Live From Loreley" really doesn't sound "reworked". Marillion brought what their fans wanted to the stage back then, a very successful mixture of classics and the current album at the time, which presented everything in a rocking way. Unfortunately, the booklet is a bit thin and only contains new liner notes by the master Derek William Dick. There could have been more, really. But, it will be always a great memory of the band in Fish's era.

Conclusion: "Live From Loreley" is a great live album. The live performance is fantastic and the choice of the tracks to be performed live is irreproachable, comprising all of their four studio albums, at the time. I prefer "Live From Loreley" to "Real To Reel" and "The Thieving Magpie ? La Gazza Ladra". It's true that "Real To Reel" is an excellent live album with a competent live performance but with little to distinguish the live tracks from the studio versions and where the vocal performance of Fish isn't as great as it should be. "The Thieving Magpie ? La Gazza Ladra" is also an excellent live album but has, for me, the inconvenient to be a live compilation recorded at different times and places, what takes away to its cohesion. So, "Live From Loreley" is with "Recital Of The Script" probably the best musical live testimonies from the band, comprising the Fish's era. Particularly, "Live From Loreley" is, without any doubt, an essential purchase because is an important live document that represents the end of an era and the born of another, into Marillion's career.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

 An Hour Before It's Dark by MARILLION album cover Studio Album, 2022
4.00 | 243 ratings

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An Hour Before It's Dark
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by Magog2112

4 stars As I was starting to delve into the world of progressive rock, my dad recommended me to listen to an album called 'Misplaced Childhood' by some band named Marillion. Reluctantly, I listened to the album. From the first note of "Pseudo Silk Kimono," I was hooked and became a Marillion fan in 2018. That means that 'An Hour Before It's Dark' was the first Marillion album I listened to on the day of release. Not only that, but I pre-ordered the album. I received a special edition, signed digipack. This included the CD, a booklet full of magnificent artwork, and a making of DVD. But my favorite thing about pre-ordering the album was that when it arrived, I searched through all the names of the people who pre-ordered the album (because Marillion are cool like that) and contemplated mine once I spotted it. Even though it was minuscule, I felt like I contributed to the album in some way and was "credited." That was a very special moment for me.

'An Hour Before It's Dark' is the 20th studio album from Marillion, released on 4 March 2022. The band have expressed before that they didn't want 'An Hour Before It's Dark' to be another COVID record, which would date the album. However, Steve Hogarth has also said that it was nearly impossible for the affects of the pandemic to not creep into his lyrics, given its relevance to his personal life and the world as a whole.

'An Hour Before It's Dark' contains seven tracks, four of which are suites. The first suite and opening track, "Be Hard On Yourself," consists of three sections: i. The Tear in the Big Picture, ii. Lust for Luxury, and iii. You Can Learn. The second suite, "Reprogram the Gene," also consists of three sections: i. Invincible, ii. Trouble-Free Life, and iii. A Cure for Us? The penultimate track, "Sierra Leone," consists of five sections: i. Chance in a Million, ii. The White Sand, iii. The Diamond, iv. The Blue Warm Air, and v. More Than a Treasure. The closing track, "Care," consists of four sections: i. Maintenance Drugs, ii. An Hour Before It's Dark, iii. Every Cell, and iv. Angels on Earth.

Before I heard 'An Hour Before It's Dark,' I wasn't sure what to expect. The previous record, 'FEAR,' was a massive disappointment for me and is probably my least favorite Marillion record. Nevertheless, 'FEAR' was released six years before the release of 'An Hour Before It's Dark.' Not only has a decent amount of time passed, but a lot has happened within those six years. The tracklist of this album reflects that of 'FEAR' due to the multipart suite format, which was worrisome. However, all of my doubts dissipated the moment I heard the opening track, "Be Hard On Yourself."

Finally, we're back into the heaviness and grandiosity that was last seen on 'Sounds That Can't Be Made.' The urgency of the lyrics are reflected in the accompaniment well. "Be Hard On Yourself" is more cohesive than any of the suites from 'FEAR.' The following track, "Reprogram the Gene," is my least favorite song on 'An Hour Before It's Dark." In my opinion, the music doesn't flow well. This is especially apparent when hearing the abrupt shift between "Invincible" and "Trouble-Free Life." I also dislike the constant references to Greta Thunberg, or Greta "T," which take me out of the music slightly.

"Only a Kiss" is a 40-second instrumental prelude to "Murder Machines." I like the espionage atmosphere created in this brief interlude which bleeds seamlessly into "Murder Machines." This is a beautifully crafted rock song with a melancholic undertone. The Choir Noir and the In Praise of Folly String Quartet are featured on the ethereal "The Crow and the Nightingale." This song sounds enormous with the vast instrumentation, almost like it could be used in a soundtrack. Steve Rothery's guitar solo on "The Crow and the Nightingale" is one of his absolute best.

"Sierra Leone" is an extended piece that's driven by Mark Kelly's piano and acts as a foil to the climactic track that preceded it. Ten minutes might be a bit long for a mellow piece such as this, but I do enjoy parts of it. The 15-minute closing track, "Care," is similar to "The Leavers" in the sense that everything leading up to the final section (in this case, "Angels on Earth") is somewhat forgettable, but the final section is excellent.

In conclusion, Marillion prove that they still have a lot of creativity left in them with the release of 'An Hour Before It's Dark.' Despite the heavy subject matter that's explored on this album, the music is surprisingly upbeat. For a band that has been around as long as Marillion, I am truly astonished with how they can continue to release wonderful music that moves me. I am also pleased to hear that Marillion didn't continue going down the 'FEAR' path and produced something that was different, while still containing elements of past works. There are some minor criticisms I have that are found throughout the album, such as lack of cohesiveness in most of the suites. The biased side of me wants to rate 'An Hour Before It's Dark' five stars. However, I must give this album four stars, for reasons previously mentioned.

 F E A R (F*** Everyone And Run) by MARILLION album cover Studio Album, 2016
3.74 | 454 ratings

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F E A R (F*** Everyone And Run)
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by Magog2112

1 stars I could vitriolically review this egregious album blow-by-blow, but I'll refrain as I'm not into sadomasochism. All I will say is that 'FEAR' is my absolute least favorite album from Marillion. I don't understand the hype that this album has received. Every song meanders aimlessly and stagnantly, ultimately going nowhere. Many of these songs should've been heavily revised or scrapped entirely. Marillion are also great at writing melodies, and the melodies on this album are extremely poor for their standards. In addition, I don't feel that 'FEAR' showcases the incredible musicianship of Marillion, as no musician is given a chance to shine throughout it's bloated 70-minute duration. I detest the title of the album. Steve Hogarth claims that they didn't choose the title for shock value; that's BS. I hate to malign an album from one of my favorite bands, but nothing can change the fact that 'FEAR' is appalling. I have no choice but to rate this album one star. F this album and run.
 Sounds That Can't Be Made by MARILLION album cover Studio Album, 2012
3.63 | 710 ratings

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Sounds That Can't Be Made
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by Magog2112

5 stars 'Sounds That Can't Be Made' is the 17th studio album by Marillion, released on 17 September 2012. The album opens with the epic, 17-minute "Gaza." This is one of the heaviest songs by Marillion, not only musically, but lyrically too. "Gaza" is among the most overtly political Marillion songs, along with "Forgotten Sons" (from 'Script for a Jester's Tear') and "The King of Sunset Town" (from 'Seasons End'). The lyrics are told from the perspective of a boy growing up in the Gaza Strip. Steve Hogarth apparently had a lyric for "Gaza," but was hesitant to use it. He didn't want to be perceived as a privileged British man talking about world issues. After many conversations with Palestinians living in the refugee camps of Gaza and the West Bank, Hogarth gained the confidence to use the original lyrics for "Gaza." I will refrain from sharing my two cents on the ongoing issue, as this is not the time or place to be doing so. However, I used to have some issues with "Gaza" that hindered my ability to fully enjoy it. As time passes, I enjoy the song more, as it truly is a beautiful piece filled with breathtaking moments.

The first minute of "Gaza" is ambient, and then the band enter. Steve Rothery plays an interesting guitar riff in 7/4. The music conveys a sense of foreboding. The music shifts to an ethereal bit with Steve Hogarth's pretty falsetto vocals. The music returns to the original guitar riff, this time with copious distortion. Ian Mosley's drumming is powerful during this section. As this opening section dissipates, the music settles in a more traditional Marillion sound. Then, Ian Mosley plays a heavy drumbeat, indicating the impending heaviness. Pete Trewavas enters with possibly his heaviest, most distorted bass riff ever recorded. Mark Kelly's synth tones has a similar timbre to that of a trumpet. Once this section ends, Pete Trewavas plays slap bass subtly while Steve Rothery plays atmospheric guitar melodies. The band slowly crescendos to another melodic section. After this, Mark Kelly plays a beautiful chord progression on piano that accompanies Steve Hogarth's vocals as he sings "it just ain't right..." Then, the whole band enters as Steve Rothery plays an emotional guitar solo. The coda ends the song on a sombre, yet intense note. The ending acapella lyric, "someday surely someone must help us," finishes the mammoth track strongly.

The title track is one of my favorite songs on 'Sounds That Can't Be Made.' I like the backing vocals on this song. Mark Kelly's synth tones add a futuristic element to the music. He also plays a keyboard solo that transitions into the grandiose coda; one of the album's many high points. I love the lyric, "only love can stop you from merely existing." "Pour My Love" doesn't sound like any other Marillion song. It's a great, soothing pop song. The following track, "Power," starts with great atmosphere. Pete Trewavas' bassline stands out right away. The chorus contains a gorgeous melody sung by Steve Hogarth. As the title suggests, the song is about power and the ways that it can be abused.

In my opinion, "Montreal" is one of the most underrated Marillion songs. It's the second of the three epics on 'Sounds That Can't Be Made.' Some people don't like Hogarth's lyrics and their conversational tone, as if they're taken from a journal entry. The song also feels like it was written stream of consciousness. However, all of these aspects of "Montreal" are part of why I love it and view it as a stunning centerpiece of 'Sounds That Can't Be Made.' I love the section containing the lyrics, "Welcome back to Montreal," as it makes me feel like I'm home. Marillion return to progressive territory during the 7/4 section with the lyrics, "We were invited to the circus..." The concluding section is nothing short of moving. The music gradually crescendos into an overwhelming climax as Steve Hogarth sings, "Je t'aime my darling." The last two sections are structurally similar to the last couple sections of "The Invisible Man" from 'Marbles.' I like how the lyrics convey the positive side of touring, which isn't talked about much.

"Invisible Ink" is a brilliant foil to "Montreal," and like "Pour My Love," is a wonderful pop song with infectious melodies. I like the little touch of xylophone and how it plays the same melody that Steve Hogarth sings during the chorus. The heavy opening riff of "Lucky Man" reminds me of 'Abbey Road' by the Beatles, particularly the songs "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" or the Abbey Road medley. "Lucky Man" is a catchy rock song that starkly transitions into the final track, "The Sky Above the Rain."

"The Sky Above the Rain" is the third and final epic of 'Sounds That Can't Be Made.' This is another Marillion song that I consider to be extremely underrated. Steve Hogarth's heartbreaking vocals and Mark Kelly's piano accompaniment together are exquisite. On the surface, "The Sky Above the Rain" is a melancholic ballad, but hidden beneath the tears are glimmers of hope. Steve Rothery's lead guitar embellishments and soloing complements the atmosphere of the song perfectly. The uplifting 6/4 coda ends 'Sounds That Can't Be Made' with optimism.

In conclusion, 'Sounds That Can't Be Made' is one of the most accessible and mature Marillion albums. I didn't know that these were sounds that could be made, but I'm glad they were. Thank you, Marillion.

 Less Is More by MARILLION album cover Studio Album, 2009
2.78 | 404 ratings

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Less Is More
Marillion Neo-Prog

Review by Magog2112

3 stars 'Less Is More' is an acoustic album from Marillion, released on 2 October 2009. It contains rearranged songs dating back to 1989 as well as a previously unreleased song entitled "It's Not Your Fault" and a hidden live track, "Cannibal Surf Babe." Marillion have performed numerous acoustic live sets long before the release of 'Less Is More,' including 'Live at the Walls' (1998) and the concert DVD 'A Piss-Up In a Brewery' (2002). Perhaps the positive reception of their acoustic gigs galvanized Marillion to release an acoustic studio album. The less-is-more approach to these arrangements does not only apply to the stripped down instrumentation, but also the duration of the songs. Each song on 'Less Is More' are shorter than their studio counterparts. Marillion started incorporating more percussion instruments on the previous album, 'Happiness Is the Road,' and they continue that on 'Less Is More.' The diverse, timbral palette that is utilized on 'Less Is More' makes it stand out in their discography.

Before I heard a note of 'Less Is More,' I was surprised and simultaneously disappointed after contemplating the bizarre tracklist. Of all the reinterpretations included on 'Less Is More,' there are no songs from 'Marbles' or 'Somewhere Else,' and only one song was taken from 'Happiness Is the Road.' I find it odd that Marillion chose to omit all songs, with the exception of one, from their three previous albums. Especially considering that there are three songs from 'Anoraknophobia' included on 'Less Is More,' and that it one of my least favorite Marillion albums. Typically, when a notable band does an acoustic album like this, they choose songs that are fan favorites. It's safe to say that Marillion did not use this method, which in some ways I respect.

The first two tracks of 'Less Is More' are "Go!" and "Interior Lulu," which are both taken from 'Marillion.com.' 'Marillion.com' is my least favorite Marillion album. Nevertheless, I was curious to see what changes the band would make to the arrangements of these two songs, especially the latter. I actually enjoy the track "Go!" as it is. The 'Less Is More' version of "Go!" is arranged as a lullaby, though the difference between this and the original version are not drastic. "Interior Lulu" is one of my least favorite epics, let alone songs, from Marillion. Unfortunately, this new version hasn't changed my mind of the song.

"Out of This World" (from 'Afraid of Sunlight') is probably in my top three Marillion songs. While the 'Less Is More' version is good, it doesn't enhance my enjoyment of the song. Many elements of what made the original version of "Out of This World" exquisite isn't captured here. The ragtime feel of "The Space" (from 'Seasons End') is performed on 'Less Is More' similarly to the performance on 'Live at the Walls.' I was curious to hear Marillion's interpretation of "Hard as Love" (from 'Brave') as that is a heavy rock song. The 'Less Is More' version is in a major key, making it sound happy. If you know the album 'Brave' and the lyrics of "Hard as Love" in particular, it's strange to hear the juxtaposition of the accompaniment and the lyrics.

The next two tracks were taken from 2001s 'Anoraknophobia.' The new chord progression of "Quartz" completely changes the vibe of the song from how Marillion fans are used to hearing it. Especially during the rap, which is melancholic and significantly slower than the original. The new version of "If My Heart Were a Ball It Would Roll Uphill" is jazzy, which is a genre Marillion tend to stray away from, but I think it works in this context. The unreleased song, "It's Not Your Fault," features just piano and Steve Hogarth's vocals. The chord progression is sorrowful. Unfortunately, "It's Not Your Fault" is my least favorite song on the album. I find it to be uninspired.

"Memory of Water" (from 'This Strange Engine') has a folk element due to the interwoven, arpeggiated acoustic guitars. I wish that Marillion utilized more of this style with the other songs on 'Less Is More.' This may be my favorite rendition of the whole album for its sheer beauty. "This Is the 21st Century" (from 'Anoraknophobia') underwent a massive transformation from the original version, which was dependent on Steve Rothery's electric guitar pedal effects and Ian Mosley's modern-sounding drumbeat. Now, 'Less Is More' allows the listener to hear the essence of "This Is the 21st Century" without all the fancy ornamentation. The chorus inventively switches from a simple meter to a compound meter in this version. The final hidden track, "Cannibal Surf Babe," ends the album on an enthusiastic note and works well as an acoustic piece.

In conclusion, 'Less Is More' is a good album to put on as background music, but not an album that I would attentively listen to. The music is dull. However, that seemed to be intentional. Most songs of the tracklist don't augment my enjoyment of the original versions of these songs, nor do they provide anything new. That's why I don't return to this album frequently.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to Lazland (w/ Quinino help) for the last updates

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