Can't stop listening to this song, it's just brilliant, I've always loved Marillion and musically this is so different, beautifully arranged and shws off everyone's talebt without over playing. Saw them in Cambridge on Saturday and it's a treat to hear this live, works so well.👍
Jim, you actually turned me on to Marillion. You did the album Brave and I have never looked back since! They are my favorite band now thanks to you! Cheers!
Thoughtful and eloquent reaction as always. Thanks. This time next week I'll be at the gig! :-) Porcupine Tree and Marillion both releasing new material and touring... heaven. :-)
New material from three of my favourite bands in the space of a few weeks; Marillion, Porcupine Tree and Riverside. All absolutely spectacular, something to smile about at last.
Was in Manchester on Thursday night. So nice to get out and see live music again!!!! The were bloody fantastic. Did you know that they could not get any pandemic insurance of 150,000 pounds. So they asked the fans if we could help through the usual way we get our albums. We basically are their insurers. They got the pledges enough go do it. Marillion fans, best fans in the world. Glad you liked it. Very great live too. Album out early next year Covid permitting. Favourite line..... the world has had enough impation bags of blood... goosbumps for me.
Excellent, thanks Jim :) I’m seeing them in Birmingham tomorrow evening finger crossed :) Here’s what I make to be the lyrics :) Marillion - Be Hard On Yourself Lyrics by Steve Hogarth “H” i. The Tear In The Big Picture: Big ball of rocks and water Spinning round in space Blue green and made of magic Miracles on miracles on miracles with miracles inside Why would you kill it? Be hard on yourself You’ve been spoilt for years Be hard on yourself You’ll be glad you did You’ll be glad you did Something to pull the sheep across the field Bag of grass and straw How can it keep growing? How can it keep growing? Be hard on yourself You’ve been spoilt for years Be hard on yourself You’ll be glad you did You’ll be glad you did Run towards the things that scare ya I dare ya There’s a tear in the big picture Can’t burn it Got to fix it Heard you say life’s what you settle for Nobody told you Less can be more Strap in Get ready Foot down Push the button Blow it all up And be hard on yourself Strap in Get ready Foot down Push the button Blow it all up And be hard on yourself ii Lust for Luxury: Don’t talk to me of need Don’t talk to me of want Don’t talk to me of dreams The world has seen enough… impatient bags of blood Don’t talk to me of speed Acceleration never did you any good… good The monkey wants a new toy And that’s all that it knows Something to pull the sheep across the field The only way forward is to fall over Or you can learn to be hard on yourself The monkey wants a new toy And that’s all that it knows The monkey wants a new toy And that’s all that it knows Cause of death: Lust for luxury Cause of death: Lust for luxury Cause of death: Consumption iii You Can Learn The only way forward… is to fall over Or you can learn to be… Or you can learn to be… Hard on yourself You can do better You can do better But do it now We haven't got long We haven't got long To the end of the song Be hard on yourself Hard on yourself Be hard on yourself Hard on yourself We haven't got long To the end of the song Strap in Get ready Foot down Push the button Blow it all up Blow it all up Paint a picture, sing a song, plant some flowers in the park Get out and make it better You’ve got an hour before it's dark…
Remember hearing Kayleigh in 1985 and became a fan instantly. What truly sealed the deal was when Marillion opened for Rush in 1986, playing the entire Misplaced Childhood album. Absolutely blown away! Have followed Fish after the split in 1988 and respect both camps.
Thanks for your reaction video, Jim!! I am an absolute fan of Marillion. As fans we already got hold on this song for approx 4 weeks now. I listened to it multiple times and I indeed do like it. Although it didn't grow that much on me, so far. I think it's good, but not as good as other songs from the h era that I know from them. But seeing your reaction gives a whole new dimension to the song for me!! Thanks for letting me 'rediscover' this song through your eyes! I'm gonna listen to it more and more from now on!
Thanks for this Jim love seeing your reaction to Marillion....hope you listened a few times and felt your tiredness seep away and found yourself enriched by these masters of music and words.
Aww... Your poor baby. 🤗 They feel so miserable when sick and usually don't have the words to express themselves. I hope whatever bug has hit soon runs its course and the Newstead family can return to normal. The track is gorgeous. I really like this one.
last june i saw here in Lisbon, the Marillion weekend,3 nights of amazing music,but saturday they played the complete album an Hour before its dark,and it was probably the best concert ive seen.all was perfect.Long Live Marillion
Oh Jim Jim Jim my young lad I know u have done a few reactions to the epic band of Marillion but I implore you to keep your journey going your reviews are insightful and true as usual with marillion a few Listens in and wham it hits like an arrow to the heart as always keep up the content buddy
Thanks for this Jim! It’s an ace song. I saw them in Cardiff last week, awesome! You can see them live in Hammersmith on 27th Nov there’s a live stream taking place. I’ll be “there” from my living room this time.
I haven't heard much Marillion but I really liked this track. I really like the bass tone, the orchestrated keyboards, the piano and guitar parts, and yes, the drums sound great! I'm not that familiar with the singers voice but it has a unique quality that I like. I will have to start listening to them more. Thanks for your timely reaction. Todd
They are livestreaming the entire last night of their tour via their video website this Saturday 27th November details can be found on their you tube channel
Jim, I know you've got to do a variety of music on your channel, but given your reaction to what I've seen so far, I would strongly recommend your next Marillion albums be Clutching at Straws for the Fish era and Afraid of Sunlight for the Hogarth era. The former is truly a masterwork lyrically, compositionally and in production. It sounds very contemporary for 1987 given its full sound, live drums, and a keyboard palette that consists of lush synth analog/sampled strings, piano and only one "Moog-style" solo (no DX7!). It's also the most mature statement Fish ever made. To me, it's possibly my favorite album of the decade, remarkably timeless and possibly their "perfect" album in that all tracks are strong. It is personal and introspective yet very relatable. Afraid of Sunlight is expansive and deep in its lyrical intensity with Hogarth's strongest singing and possibly the best sounding album I've ever heard. A thundering monstrous rock sound with a delicate touch - you'll know when you hear it. Anyway, I felt compelled to weigh in on why here. Now seeing your reaction to this new track, I appreciate Be Hard On Yourself even more and I'm anticipating this new album will be a top 3 for the band. Super excited! Anyway, carry on,sir!
Your description of Afraid Of Sunlight is spot on! love that record. Agree with you about the lyrics on Clutching... as well, Fish lyrics are one of a kind.
Saw them play this live in Hull and Edinburgh and its pace and drive are incredible as are Ian's drums. Can't wait for the new album. Oh and that choir at the start makes the hairs on the back of my neck tingle every time. Wait till you hear the funky bass on track 7 of the album, "Care" ua-cam.com/video/r-XieCrXqWw/v-deo.html
This was my first listen, and first blush is that I like it a little more than what was on F.E.A.R, which I find pleasant but never really got into. Maybe they’re in a stage where texture and mood come first and melody or building a musical story are there but background. I need to listen more to see how the impression changes. I lost the through line there for a bit, but it came back.
Hi Jim, this song ties in seamlessly with the Fear album! The band Marillion is like a work of art, everyone sees something different in it. And I think that artistically there are only a few bands that are as innovative as Marillion. I especially like the beginning with the unusual atmospheric sound. Mark Kelly, with his beautiful ideas and sophisticated sounds, makes Marillion not so difficult to access. And it's true, I think the song also goes forward well with the heavier drums. I am sure that all new songs will have this class...
Different to what I’m used to by Marillion. Normally songs are are like rolling waves but this is more like a storm. I definitely have to hear this song a few times more and at different parts of the day. I’m not in the right mood to judge on it now. At this time of the day, late in the evening, I like a bit quieter, calmer music before I go to sleep.
Hi, i hope when you’ll hear the life and amplitude of the drums here that you could even more feel the frustration the band have been trough with the release of the original (not of their hands) mix of Fugazi. 🌝
Just simply one of the best bands around, there's no two ways about it. Not that it has any thing to do with Marillion, but have do you know Canadian artist Matthew Good or have you done anything by him? He is an amazing artist with a unique voice and just a killer songwriter. I implore you to seek out his latest few albums, they are fantastic. I guarantee you'll love them.
Marillion ... hmmmmm that pulls a blast from the past. Didn't they have some songs that were on the radio 20 years ago or so? Never listened to an album of theirs. Interesting. Not bad.
latest albums just bdon`t cut it for me. i bought everything upto F.E.A.R. that was it as what i heard after that didn`t really differ. it was like they switched tracks from previous albums ,changed lyrics and put songs in different order.. but damn everything before FEAR was brilliant!!
Are u going to do a Magnum song so I can see if I was right about them being a weird band with a retro keyboard player? I don’t know any of their songs but I remember hearing this kinda weird space travel alien keyboard rock guitar song by them
You're on a roll here as far as I'm concerned. Aqualung and Marillion. It's all downhill from here. (Shout out to other Birmingham attendees tomorrow night.)
Jim, please be VERY careful with the coffees. In 2011 I tended towards 5 shot espressos, multiple times a day often, and as a reward for same? Had a MASSIVE Hemorrhagic Stroke (NO relation to older folks strokes, not even the same animal). Anyway, just shy of 7 months in hospital, in and out of coma status, machines to make me breathe, machines for ALL of the body, etc. I have now graduated BACK to coffee, but it IS 10 years later. I drink one, single, a day. :) Thinking of you !
Oh Kim, I’m sorry to hear that. How awful for you. While I do drink coffee I don’t have more than 2 or 3 a day. If you’re referring to the Buy Me A Coffee thing, it’s basically a tip jar. It all towards finding the channel, so upgrades and more vinyl. Thanks for the concern. I appreciate it.
Only my second listen, so too soon to form a definitive opinion. My immediate reaction is that it is just about what I would have expected based on FEAR. It very much sounds like a follow up. One of the things I've always loved about Steve Hogarth's writing is his compassion, that and his ability to put the listener inside the story. I think he is less effective when he is preaching at me, and that seems to be more of a tendency here. One of the things about early Marillion is that the changes were often quite clunky whereas over the years they have become much smoother and more sophisticated. I'm not sure that really holds the attention over an extended piece like this. I liked FEAR at the time, but it hasn't lived long in my memory. That may be just an age thing? The sound is very dense and rich and I might have liked something sparser a little more. Ian Mosely is the star performer on this.
Artists will always want to put a mark on their world beyond simply entertaining fans for the brief span of years we are all given. Steve Hogarth has focused almost exclusively now, since the release of "Sounds That Can't Be Made" in 2012, on addressing political issues, not so much in the taking of one side or the other, but in pointing out the herd of elephants stomping around in the room. Most of the people act like they simply are not there, while all of Western Civilization is corroding and turning to dust daily before our very eyes. I suppose it is a good thing that Marillion wants to be more than the band playing on the deck of the Titanic, but the focus on the dreary issues of the day makes for a conspicuous lack of joy in their recent (nine years!) compositions. It took me a long time to truly love F.E.A.R, which had at least offered some relief from the preaching with "White Paper" and "The Leavers". Much of this almost-decade of musical output has lacked melodic focus, replacing it with a dense symphonic sound, now including even a bit of choir now and then. Personally I long for the era when Hogarth wrote about people dealing with falling in and out of love, or telling stories of obsession and its consequences, his magnificent voice was up front in the mix, and Rothery was given lots of room to create and play his incredibly moving guitar solos. I'd prefer if h would still put his arms around my soul, and take me dancing, rather than reproachfully wag his finger in my face for not trying hard enough to promote his views on gun ownership, immigration, or the environment. Marillion still possesses the sort of wonderful musicianship and and highly distinctive sound of a fantastic prog band like Yes and Genesis, so their current work still beats 99% of whatever else is being put out there by other musical artists, but this decade-long slide towards political relevance disquiets me. Everything we do has an "opportunity cost". You can't evaluate the new release solely upon its merit. You also have to consider what could have been if that five years of time and energy had been devoted to something more personal aimed at your heart rather than your brain. There is a sad impotency in pointing out problems without at the same time providing solutions and a clear pathway towards their implementation. "Trying harder" is neither a solution nor a pathway. A good argument could be made that people trying really hard to implement their own ideology-based political agendas is what put us in this fix in the first place.
There's also a sad impotency in criticising an artist on UA-cam for being artistic and developing their artistry in a way that "disquiets" you on a personal level. Music should challenge you and artists should feel free to express themselves and take their listeners on a journey with them. As you point out there are already many Marillion songs about love and loss and If humanity and compassion for his fellow man are political, then I'll have more of the same please.
"Music should challenge you" smacks of the sort of ideological viewpoint that insists that every endeavor of every human being should solely involve promotion of "The Cause", whatever that might be for whatever person promoting it. That is an ethos that always ends up with the production of crummy propaganda disguised as bad music. Agreeing that Marillion is better than 99% of artists today is overall quite a good critical opinion, I would think. Sometimes "compassion for your fellow man" is actually destruction of everything we hold dear, like taking one too many people onboard a lifeboat. Compassion without a viable plan to make people's lives better is a waste of emotional energy.
@@Yesquire0 compassion and humanity aren’t “causes”. . Musicians make music about things that move them, whether it be love, loss, heartbreak, injustice or compassion. It’s not up to musicians to make a viable plan but if more people are moved by the music enough to vote for politicians that can help the helpless, listen to the voiceless and aren’t in it for themselves and their wealthy donors then that’s a good thing.
What I will say is that we haven't heard this track in context of the album. You mentioned they're not offering a solution, but based on the snippet of the track Care they released, they've duplicated the lyric of the album title, like they did at the end of this track, so it seems to me that many of the tracks will be linked thematically, and it may offer the solutions you're asking for. Also, one of the tracks on the forthcoming album is apparently "a love letter to Leonard Cohen", so it should offer what you're looking for from H to some degree. Essentially though, you should never judge an album based on one song before you've heard it, especially from a band like Marillion.
I was (and spent the last 30 years) a bakery specialist, new product development, technical trouble shooting, process management. I am now a career and guardian to an autistic three year old who takes up most of my time.
I love some of the elements on the song and have great hopes for the album. Drums, keyboards more exciting than recent albums with so much drive. But I have to say a preachy lyric on consumerism by a band wanting us to pre order physical albums, go to concerts and buy merch is a bit rich.
Jim, Love your videos and reactions, but, by making a comment during the "Cause of death, lust for luxury" section you missed the very clever next line/punchline!! ("Cause of death - Consumption").
MY OPINION, ISH'S CAREER DIDN'T TAKE OFF AS HE THOUGHT, ON THE contrary IT STAGNED AND MARILLION'S TOO, THE BEST FOR BOTH WOULD BE THE RETURN OF FISH TO MARILLION.
Marillion are like a great bottle of wine, superficially it will do the job, but if you savour it you really will see depth and beauty!
Can't stop listening to this song, it's just brilliant, I've always loved Marillion and musically this is so different, beautifully arranged and shws off everyone's talebt without over playing. Saw them in Cambridge on Saturday and it's a treat to hear this live, works so well.👍
Jim, you actually turned me on to Marillion. You did the album Brave and I have never looked back since! They are my favorite band now thanks to you! Cheers!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
You nailed it! This song IS lush and gets better with every listen!
Thoughtful and eloquent reaction as always. Thanks. This time next week I'll be at the gig! :-)
Porcupine Tree and Marillion both releasing new material and touring... heaven. :-)
I'm missing Marillion, hopefully another time. Got tickets for Porcupine Tree next year, very exciting!
New material from three of my favourite bands in the space of a few weeks; Marillion, Porcupine Tree and Riverside. All absolutely spectacular, something to smile about at last.
Marillion is amazing!
Hello jim,
Beautiful piece of music and lyrics. Top musicians ! Thank you.
Was in Manchester on Thursday night. So nice to get out and see live music again!!!! The were bloody fantastic.
Did you know that they could not get any pandemic insurance of 150,000 pounds.
So they asked the fans if we could help through the usual way we get our albums.
We basically are their insurers.
They got the pledges enough go do it.
Marillion fans, best fans in the world.
Glad you liked it. Very great live too.
Album out early next year Covid permitting.
Favourite line..... the world has had enough impation bags of blood... goosbumps for me.
As the good prog songs always does this takes time to sink in and it's getting better all the time. I'm eagerly waiting for their up-coming album.
It gets better every time Pasi!
Interesting how that works. It’s like the mind isn’t ready yet.
Excellent, thanks Jim :)
I’m seeing them in Birmingham tomorrow evening finger crossed :)
Here’s what I make to be the lyrics :)
Marillion - Be Hard On Yourself
Lyrics by Steve Hogarth “H”
i. The Tear In The Big Picture:
Big ball of rocks and water
Spinning round in space
Blue green and made of magic
Miracles on miracles on miracles with miracles inside
Why would you kill it?
Be hard on yourself
You’ve been spoilt for years
Be hard on yourself
You’ll be glad you did
You’ll be glad you did
Something to pull the sheep across the field
Bag of grass and straw
How can it keep growing?
How can it keep growing?
Be hard on yourself
You’ve been spoilt for years
Be hard on yourself
You’ll be glad you did
You’ll be glad you did
Run towards the things that scare ya
I dare ya
There’s a tear in the big picture
Can’t burn it
Got to fix it
Heard you say life’s what you settle for
Nobody told you
Less can be more
Strap in
Get ready
Foot down
Push the button
Blow it all up
And be hard on yourself
Strap in
Get ready
Foot down
Push the button
Blow it all up
And be hard on yourself
ii Lust for Luxury:
Don’t talk to me of need
Don’t talk to me of want
Don’t talk to me of dreams
The world has seen enough… impatient bags of blood
Don’t talk to me of speed
Acceleration never did you any good… good
The monkey wants a new toy
And that’s all that it knows
Something to pull the sheep across the field
The only way forward is to fall over
Or you can learn to be hard on yourself
The monkey wants a new toy
And that’s all that it knows
The monkey wants a new toy
And that’s all that it knows
Cause of death: Lust for luxury
Cause of death: Lust for luxury
Cause of death: Consumption
iii You Can Learn
The only way forward… is to fall over
Or you can learn to be…
Or you can learn to be…
Hard on yourself
You can do better
You can do better
But do it now
We haven't got long
We haven't got long
To the end of the song
Be hard on yourself
Hard on yourself
Be hard on yourself
Hard on yourself
We haven't got long
To the end of the song
Strap in
Get ready
Foot down
Push the button
Blow it all up
Blow it all up
Paint a picture, sing a song, plant some flowers in the park
Get out and make it better
You’ve got an hour before it's dark…
Also my first chance to listen to a new Marillion song. Been a mega fan for a year at this point, was so excited when this came out 👍
Isn’t it lovely to play catch up, but then be part of it as it happens!
Remember hearing Kayleigh in 1985 and became a fan instantly. What truly sealed the deal was when Marillion opened for Rush in 1986, playing the entire Misplaced Childhood album. Absolutely blown away! Have followed Fish after the split in 1988 and respect both camps.
Cannot believe you've never seen marillion awsome band been following them since 80s saw them in Edinburgh they just keep getting better 👍
Cracking reaction Jim, what a fantastic track from them. I need to go and listen to this again, cheers 😁👍
Thanks for your reaction video, Jim!! I am an absolute fan of Marillion. As fans we already got hold on this song for approx 4 weeks now. I listened to it multiple times and I indeed do like it. Although it didn't grow that much on me, so far. I think it's good, but not as good as other songs from the h era that I know from them.
But seeing your reaction gives a whole new dimension to the song for me!! Thanks for letting me 'rediscover' this song through your eyes! I'm gonna listen to it more and more from now on!
Thanks for this Jim love seeing your reaction to Marillion....hope you listened a few times and felt your tiredness seep away and found yourself enriched by these masters of music and words.
Aww...
Your poor baby. 🤗
They feel so miserable when sick and usually don't have the words to express themselves. I hope whatever bug has hit soon runs its course and the Newstead family can return to normal.
The track is gorgeous. I really like this one.
last june i saw here in Lisbon, the Marillion weekend,3 nights of amazing music,but saturday they played the complete album an Hour before its dark,and it was probably the best concert ive seen.all was perfect.Long Live Marillion
Phantastic song….it is so different to all Iheard the Last time…very very good…
Oh Jim Jim Jim my young lad I know u have done a few reactions to the epic band of Marillion but I implore you to keep your journey going your reviews are insightful and true as usual with marillion a few Listens in and wham it hits like an arrow to the heart as always keep up the content buddy
Thanks for this Jim! It’s an ace song. I saw them in Cardiff last week, awesome!
You can see them live in Hammersmith on 27th Nov there’s a live stream taking place. I’ll be “there” from my living room this time.
Thank you Jim
Nice one Jim cracking review, will be seeing it performed live tomorrow night (Sunday) in Birmingham, can highly recommend them live.
I haven't heard much Marillion but I really liked this track. I really like the bass tone, the orchestrated keyboards, the piano and guitar parts, and yes, the drums sound great! I'm not that familiar with the singers voice but it has a unique quality that I like. I will have to start listening to them more. Thanks for your timely reaction. Todd
Truly awesome track! Can't wait for the new album. And their tour! :D
It is getting better and better ,starting on a very high level
They are livestreaming the entire last night of their tour via their video website this Saturday 27th November details can be found on their you tube channel
That map is brilliant artwork!
Feels a bit FEAR reject but is growing on me. Fugazi drums are great!
Glad you love it too. So looking forward to hearing it live in Birmingham tomorrow night. 🥰🥰🥰. So underrated is my favourite band.. xx
Thanks for your analysis Jim ... Thanks from Chile..!
Amazing track and your description is wonderful :)
Jim, I know you've got to do a variety of music on your channel, but given your reaction to what I've seen so far, I would strongly recommend your next Marillion albums be Clutching at Straws for the Fish era and Afraid of Sunlight for the Hogarth era. The former is truly a masterwork lyrically, compositionally and in production. It sounds very contemporary for 1987 given its full sound, live drums, and a keyboard palette that consists of lush synth analog/sampled strings, piano and only one "Moog-style" solo (no DX7!). It's also the most mature statement Fish ever made. To me, it's possibly my favorite album of the decade, remarkably timeless and possibly their "perfect" album in that all tracks are strong. It is personal and introspective yet very relatable. Afraid of Sunlight is expansive and deep in its lyrical intensity with Hogarth's strongest singing and possibly the best sounding album I've ever heard. A thundering monstrous rock sound with a delicate touch - you'll know when you hear it. Anyway, I felt compelled to weigh in on why here. Now seeing your reaction to this new track, I appreciate Be Hard On Yourself even more and I'm anticipating this new album will be a top 3 for the band. Super excited! Anyway, carry on,sir!
I'm going to hear all of them at some point, be good to do these together I guess!
Your description of Afraid Of Sunlight is spot on! love that record. Agree with you about the lyrics on Clutching... as well, Fish lyrics are one of a kind.
I first heard it on a free download as a reward for pre ordering the album. I found the sound harsh. This is so much better and it is growing on me.
Saw them play this live in Hull and Edinburgh and its pace and drive are incredible as are Ian's drums. Can't wait for the new album. Oh and that choir at the start makes the hairs on the back of my neck tingle every time. Wait till you hear the funky bass on track 7 of the album, "Care" ua-cam.com/video/r-XieCrXqWw/v-deo.html
great review , subscribed
Grandes…marillion🥰🥰
Jim Lg Jesus😃🤝
After so long time…a year😅…still awesome
Great reaction so pure .
This was my first listen, and first blush is that I like it a little more than what was on F.E.A.R, which I find pleasant but never really got into. Maybe they’re in a stage where texture and mood come first and melody or building a musical story are there but background. I need to listen more to see how the impression changes. I lost the through line there for a bit, but it came back.
Dig this new track.Can't wait to hear it tomorrow live:)
Hi Jim, this song ties in seamlessly with the Fear album! The band Marillion is like a work of art, everyone sees something different in it. And I think that artistically there are only a few bands that are as innovative as Marillion. I especially like the beginning with the unusual atmospheric sound. Mark Kelly, with his beautiful ideas and sophisticated sounds, makes Marillion not so difficult to access. And it's true, I think the song also goes forward well with the heavier drums.
I am sure that all new songs will have this class...
Different to what I’m used to by Marillion. Normally songs are are like rolling waves but this is more like a storm.
I definitely have to hear this song a few times more and at different parts of the day. I’m not in the right mood to judge on it now.
At this time of the day, late in the evening, I like a bit quieter, calmer music before I go to sleep.
Hi, i hope when you’ll hear the life and amplitude of the drums here that you could even more feel the frustration the band have been trough with the release of the original (not of their hands) mix of Fugazi. 🌝
Just simply one of the best bands around, there's no two ways about it.
Not that it has any thing to do with Marillion, but have do you know Canadian artist Matthew Good or have you done anything by him? He is an amazing artist with a unique voice and just a killer songwriter. I implore you to seek out his latest few albums, they are fantastic. I guarantee you'll love them.
Marillion ... hmmmmm that pulls a blast from the past. Didn't they have some songs that were on the radio 20 years ago or so? Never listened to an album of theirs. Interesting. Not bad.
Great song
Cool! A new find. Merci.
❤️❤️❤️
I think you're gonna love FEAR.
latest albums just bdon`t cut it for me. i bought everything upto F.E.A.R. that was it as what i heard after that didn`t really differ. it was like they switched tracks from previous albums ,changed lyrics and put songs in different order.. but damn everything before FEAR was brilliant!!
Glorious, ;cause of death, lust for luxury’ quite.
Are u going to do a Magnum song so I can see if I was right about them being a weird band with a retro keyboard player? I don’t know any of their songs but I remember hearing this kinda weird space travel alien keyboard rock guitar song by them
You're on a roll here as far as I'm concerned. Aqualung and Marillion. It's all downhill from here. (Shout out to other Birmingham attendees tomorrow night.)
You should listen to ELP Brain salad surgery on vinyl cuz that's a popular album for them
Jim, please be VERY careful with the coffees. In 2011 I tended towards 5 shot espressos, multiple times a day often, and as a reward for same? Had a MASSIVE Hemorrhagic Stroke (NO relation to older folks strokes, not even the same animal). Anyway, just shy of 7 months in hospital, in and out of coma status, machines to make me breathe, machines for ALL of the body, etc. I have now graduated BACK to coffee, but it IS 10 years later. I drink one, single, a day. :) Thinking of you !
Oh Kim, I’m sorry to hear that. How awful for you. While I do drink coffee I don’t have more than 2 or 3 a day. If you’re referring to the Buy Me A Coffee thing, it’s basically a tip jar. It all towards finding the channel, so upgrades and more vinyl. Thanks for the concern. I appreciate it.
Strongest material and sound since Afraid of Sunlight, IMO. Maybe even better.
Only my second listen, so too soon to form a definitive opinion. My immediate reaction is that it is just about what I would have expected based on FEAR. It very much sounds like a follow up. One of the things I've always loved about Steve Hogarth's writing is his compassion, that and his ability to put the listener inside the story. I think he is less effective when he is preaching at me, and that seems to be more of a tendency here. One of the things about early Marillion is that the changes were often quite clunky whereas over the years they have become much smoother and more sophisticated. I'm not sure that really holds the attention over an extended piece like this. I liked FEAR at the time, but it hasn't lived long in my memory. That may be just an age thing? The sound is very dense and rich and I might have liked something sparser a little more. Ian Mosely is the star performer on this.
Fugazi? Singer, for 7 years, in the 80's, was "Fish"... 1989 onwards? Singer IS Hogarth. Rest of the band is the same.
Artists will always want to put a mark on their world beyond simply entertaining fans for the brief span of years we are all given. Steve Hogarth has focused almost exclusively now, since the release of "Sounds That Can't Be Made" in 2012, on addressing political issues, not so much in the taking of one side or the other, but in pointing out the herd of elephants stomping around in the room. Most of the people act like they simply are not there, while all of Western Civilization is corroding and turning to dust daily before our very eyes.
I suppose it is a good thing that Marillion wants to be more than the band playing on the deck of the Titanic, but the focus on the dreary issues of the day makes for a conspicuous lack of joy in their recent (nine years!) compositions. It took me a long time to truly love F.E.A.R, which had at least offered some relief from the preaching with "White Paper" and "The Leavers". Much of this almost-decade of musical output has lacked melodic focus, replacing it with a dense symphonic sound, now including even a bit of choir now and then. Personally I long for the era when Hogarth wrote about people dealing with falling in and out of love, or telling stories of obsession and its consequences, his magnificent voice was up front in the mix, and Rothery was given lots of room to create and play his incredibly moving guitar solos. I'd prefer if h would still put his arms around my soul, and take me dancing, rather than reproachfully wag his finger in my face for not trying hard enough to promote his views on gun ownership, immigration, or the environment.
Marillion still possesses the sort of wonderful musicianship and and highly distinctive sound of a fantastic prog band like Yes and Genesis, so their current work still beats 99% of whatever else is being put out there by other musical artists, but this decade-long slide towards political relevance disquiets me. Everything we do has an "opportunity cost". You can't evaluate the new release solely upon its merit. You also have to consider what could have been if that five years of time and energy had been devoted to something more personal aimed at your heart rather than your brain.
There is a sad impotency in pointing out problems without at the same time providing solutions and a clear pathway towards their implementation. "Trying harder" is neither a solution nor a pathway. A good argument could be made that people trying really hard to implement their own ideology-based political agendas is what put us in this fix in the first place.
There's also a sad impotency in criticising an artist on UA-cam for being artistic and developing their artistry in a way that "disquiets" you on a personal level. Music should challenge you and artists should feel free to express themselves and take their listeners on a journey with them. As you point out there are already many Marillion songs about love and loss and If humanity and compassion for his fellow man are political, then I'll have more of the same please.
"Music should challenge you" smacks of the sort of ideological viewpoint that insists that every endeavor of every human being should solely involve promotion of "The Cause", whatever that might be for whatever person promoting it. That is an ethos that always ends up with the production of crummy propaganda disguised as bad music. Agreeing that Marillion is better than 99% of artists today is overall quite a good critical opinion, I would think. Sometimes "compassion for your fellow man" is actually destruction of everything we hold dear, like taking one too many people onboard a lifeboat. Compassion without a viable plan to make people's lives better is a waste of emotional energy.
@@Yesquire0 compassion and humanity aren’t “causes”. . Musicians make music about things that move them, whether it be love, loss, heartbreak, injustice or compassion. It’s not up to musicians to make a viable plan but if more people are moved by the music enough to vote for politicians that can help the helpless, listen to the voiceless and aren’t in it for themselves and their wealthy donors then that’s a good thing.
What I will say is that we haven't heard this track in context of the album. You mentioned they're not offering a solution, but based on the snippet of the track Care they released, they've duplicated the lyric of the album title, like they did at the end of this track, so it seems to me that many of the tracks will be linked thematically, and it may offer the solutions you're asking for. Also, one of the tracks on the forthcoming album is apparently "a love letter to Leonard Cohen", so it should offer what you're looking for from H to some degree.
Essentially though, you should never judge an album based on one song before you've heard it, especially from a band like Marillion.
@@edwardspencer-small7021 100 %
What’s your profession?
I was (and spent the last 30 years) a bakery specialist, new product development, technical trouble shooting, process management.
I am now a career and guardian to an autistic three year old who takes up most of my time.
Jim ...new Marillion single Murder Machines, video is brill and its only 5 mins
I know. Hopefully soon……
I love some of the elements on the song and have great hopes for the album. Drums, keyboards more exciting than recent albums with so much drive. But I have to say a preachy lyric on consumerism by a band wanting us to pre order physical albums, go to concerts and buy merch is a bit rich.
Jim,
Love your videos and reactions, but, by making a comment during the "Cause of death, lust for luxury" section you missed the very clever next line/punchline!! ("Cause of death - Consumption").
Yup, got that on the second listen.
Marillion- Grendel is my absolute favorite ❤️
Probably not your thing Jim but The War on Drugs is well worth a listen. Their last 3 albums are fantastic. Try Ocean between the waves.
I’ve heard of them, but never actually heard the music.
MY OPINION, ISH'S CAREER DIDN'T TAKE OFF AS HE THOUGHT, ON THE contrary IT STAGNED AND MARILLION'S TOO, THE BEST FOR BOTH WOULD BE THE RETURN OF FISH TO MARILLION.