BRAVE

After failing to reach a wider audience with the mainstream Holidays in Eden in 1991, Marillion took a brave step (pardon the pun) and went back to their progressive roots with Brave, the band's first true concept album since Misplaced Childhood (or Clutching at Straws if you're inclined to think of it as one). Instead of returning to their Genesis influences of earlier albums, Marillion took on a more Floydian feel with Brave. This is most noticeable with the many sound effects throughout the album and the depressing, moody, and deep atmospherics. The concept was based on a news story Hogarth heard on the radio about a girl who was taken into custody by police after she was found wandering around Severn Bridge (between South Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire, Wales). The girl had no idea who she was or how she got there. Hogarth developed the story around her and what might have led her to her present state on the bridge.

This was probably the most ambitious project in Marillion's recording history, taking nine months to write, record, and produce. I have to say, Marillion really did an exceptional job on this. Further, they managed to move their sound into new territory as it sounds really different from previous efforts. The concept and lyrics are also well written and Hogarth's delivery is fantastically done. The haunting atmospherics and sounds are remarkably well done. In fact, it has been said that Radiohead's OK Computer was partly influenced by Marillion's Brave.

Brave was a remarkable achievement during an era where this type of music was often frowned upon. Not quite as good as their masterpiece debut in my opinion, but definitely well deserving of five stars. Highly recommended!