| |
So yet another release from this band with a highly impressive
production so far,(15) studio releases since (1983) (once
again don't expect the progressive rock style of the early
era of the singer Fish). This time it is a double-CD, which
means more than 100 minutes of "Marillion" music that overtakes
you as you listen.***
The band has undergone a remarkable historical development.
After a formidable success starting with several drop-winners
and major commercial success with "Fish" singing at the mike
to a revised band style, so radically a change to current
singer "Steve Hogart" (1989). Personally, I thought the band
was even better after the change (ie, less pretentious, but
without losing the feeling) but apparently the record buyers
& (Fans) didn't feel the same. But they never gave up
and continued to give out several very good cds. For example,
"Afraid of Sunlight" and "This Strange Engine" from 1995 and
1997 is in my opinion, incredibly good. After a few more mediocre
cds then came the sensational release "Marbles" in 2004. This
cd (or cds since it was released in an expanded double-CD
version) is in my opinion a masterpiece and perhaps one of
the best records ever made in this genre (often called neo-prog).
After that, came the releases of "Somewhere Else" in (2007)
and it was (perhaps predictably) not as good even if the others
in my opinion were very high class.***
So what direction have the band taken with this new double-CD?
Without revealing too much of my conclusion, I can say that
they have once again taken a major step forward.***
It is impossible for me to go through and find just about
every single song (of 20) on this cd, so I will try to spare
you. I must emphasize that it struck me when I heard what
I believe makes this record work so great. This music has
some similarities with "Marbles" in the sense that the songs
merge in a kind of coherent mass of moving and sometimes seamless
flow. Maybe not as clearly as my favorite, "Invisible Man"
on "Marbles" but still in that same way. "And I like that!"
A disc with a lots of songs mostly would be boring .Then I
like it when the band does not necessarily have to run at
full speed with a tempo that is quite dull . Here, sometimes
is a very layback attitude that allowed the musicians to take
a break and only piano or keyboards play while the others
charges up for continued participation later. And what is
so wonderful with this cd is the fact that at times is so
simple in its melody loop. It is almost unbelievable what
this minimalist band plays occasionally. Very simple basses,
wonderful guitar playing and singing, yet so incredibly melodic
and inspiring. Take track two, "This Train Is My Life",an
amazingly simple composition but still quite brilliant and
it did not take many listens before I was completely sold.
A melody loop that spins in the my head several days afterwards
. A masterpiece worth of a hefty solo success, but it teaches
well, unfortunately, it never happens. The song in question
is growing especially in the secondary chorus passage just
before it calms down and you hear tågrassel. Typical Marillion
to switch on in this way.***
If this initial track the signature of the more typical
"Marillion" sound, will continue to be quite different. The
(1st) disc "Essence" is instead filled with wonderful sentiments
and harmonies, and here one begins to notice something that
is typical of the rest of the cd: The wonderful references
to the more progressive trends of 60's music. I can not help
but think of the (Beatles) and their "Lonely Hearts Club"
records several times during listening. "Essence" is an example
where, in any case, I almost think I heard John Lennon as
lead singer in a follow-up to a kind of "Beatles Goes Progressive"
(the "Beatles" were the first prog rock band!) If
you listen more carefully you find more details from this
great record. For example, the song "This Train Is My Life"
where we hear very clear mellotron & flutes reminding me of
the "Strawberry Fields Forever".
Actually not only Beatles influences,but several points
that are clear references to Motown and the Everly Brothers
and similar music. Very lovely song turning to tambourine
fixed rhythm (especially in the song "Nothing Fills The Hole").
Even the song "Woke Up" having a typical 60s sound in a way
that it just simply "Diggar" (again, we hear again a little
Beatles-inspired string section). Elegant packed with more
typical "Marillion",completely irresistible. Perhaps I' am
nostalgic here, but maybe we can be sometimes. The simple
fact is that 60's was a revolution for the music and the proud
sounds leading up to today and it will certainly continue
to make waves. In today's popular music we also notice it
clearly in "Duffy" and other musicians).***
Marillion is also its own path in other ways. Suddenly
in the middle of all this, an instrumental song-piece ( "Liquidity")
majestic piece of music, so incredibly beautiful. A simple
melody loop on a piano in the background of various keyboards,
guitars,sensitive drums and touch of Mellotron, Brilliant!
I must say that Mark Kelly, is doing an excellent job on the
piano. Another extremely beautiful song is "Trap The Kick"
in which Hogarth voice celebrates real triumphs.
"Happiness is the Road" which is a another highlight,
this 10-minute composition starts with "Hogarth"-vibrato
an irresistible half-reggae, which grows after each listening.Great
percussion by (Ian Mosley) what a drum-sound! Catchy choruses,fine
singing along with good support from the keyboards and mellotron.
So far, I have actually just commented on (disc-1), so
you are wondering about (disc-2). In general, there are no
weak songs on here either as the band got it right for a double
CD. Favorites here are the songs "The Man From The Planet
Marzipan" 10-minute stunner & "Asylum Satellite". The
latter is an incredibly beautiful tempo song with fine sentiments,
very similar to what the the Canadian group "Saga"
did with their "Chapters Songs". One can also say
that guitarist (Rothery) is better addressed here on (Disc
2) in which he allowed to hit the mark on the music. Another
song with a dominant mood is "Whatever Is Wrong," it has a
geniune hard rock feel to it, maybe they will release it as
a single. It recalls the style similar German group "RPWL".***
What are we to give the final verdict on "Marillion's"
new release which spins endlessly on my walkman. Yes, it is
"10 of 10" . All you "Artrock"-buffs and
especially those with aspirations of the fantastic 60s music,this
is a masterpiece! Buy this double-CD despite "Marillion"
being so generous (or shall we say controversial) to put this
cd "FREE" for download on their official web site.
Masterpieces such as this should be owned both physically
and in digital form. I can only conclude with the words "Happiness
is ... .. Marillion"!
|
