Hi Barry. I am already over the moon over the impending release of this masterpiece no doubt. What an incredible review. How does this epic band that has already supplied me with my sublime soundtrack outdo themselves. Here is hoping that I receive it on March 4th. I think in the meantime I will attempt to reproduce this artwork on canvas. Thank you Barry and thank you Marillion
I've listened to it four times already. It's brilliant not only musically and sonically, but also thematically. The lyrics are very powerful. It's a masterpiece!!!
Loved your review - someone who really gets what is going on here - exceptional music! As a huge fan of the band myself I have not liked everything from the last 20 years that they have done but at their best Marillion are up there with the finest. Thanks also for not too many spoilers as I notice you reference a lot of lyrics that are already out there in the album trailer. Very excited to hear what I’m sure will be a truly great work by a band at their creative pinnacle! Cheers
Thank you for this review! The title and overall theme of the album gets uncomfortably close to recent events. Also, the music is largely excellent. Just finished my first complete listen and I think I might just be ready for another one …
I finally got the album and have had a chance to listen to it for a few times. It is an excellent album. It kind of reminds me of Pink Floyd's The Division Bell. Sonically the album is impressive and it is one I can see listening to constantly for a while. I really like "Reprogram The Gene" and "Care" mini epics. But for me my favorite has to be "Murder Machines". I love the lyrics and how powerful the song is. This album has some great little epics that are broken down into small 3 minute minuets. Would definitely recommend the album. Great review Barry.
Very thoughtful and helpful review. Just discovering this album now….it feels like a slightly optimistic cousin of FEAR….similar sounds but different messaging.
From the tracks I've already heard I think this album will be a master-piece. Can't wait to hear it....and maybe see them live (for the 7th time,to bring them level with Maximo Park as my "most watched").
After giving it a good blast this morning for the time .it's going to be an album like fear that will take a few listens ..there was a few moments in the album that jumped rite out and were musically great..I know they are going to play album completely live on the marillion weekend shoes and this is where this will become an epic like fear live ...so a few more listens and yes it will resonate as good as fear ..
Maybe I'm in the minority but I wasn't a fan of F.E.A.R, not because of its political messaging (which did come across a little bit preachy to me tbh) but because it felt very 'samey'. That is my main issue with the past few Marillion albums, they all seem to blend in to one another from a sound and style point of view. 'Marbles' is the last truly great Marillion album for me, but hopefully 'An Hour Before it's Dark' offers a little more musical diversity.
If you thought FEAR was preachy then this will drown you in holy water after a three week unending sermon. I listened twice today. I don't think I will ever revisit this. I've never been a fan of having someone lecture me after taking my money.
Political messages/preaching to me in music is usually an immediate turn off. There’s been enough of that shit for years now no matter where you turn and I get the sense most regular people are tired of it
I have always enjoyed Marillions sound. Marbles was their last great album. I have high hopes for this album due to their first track. But admittedly, I tire of bands veering towards the political. Songs about the environment feel cliche at this point. Seasons end was over 30y ago This could be a product of my age being in my late 50s. That being said, I am completely sold on this review and I am looking forward to listening to the album. But I will save myself the aggravation by not following the lyric notes.
^To be fair, they have been pretty unpolitical after Seasons End, with only a few tracks (the first two on Radiation and a handful on Somewhere Else) making some statements, before Gaza signaled that thematic turn.
No. Literature is part of my DNA. It forms the bedrock of who I am and the way I think. My discipline is English lit - my passion is music. I don't see them as mutually exclusive.
@@classicalbum As those great modern philosophers the cheeky girls said "You are a cheeky boy" ps: still cant forgive marillion for releasing Lavender as a single
@@keithf_ I agree - there is a deep connection between many forms of art. More importantly, and to address the point raised in the firts comment, I am unable to separate them in my own head.
For centuries, people have claimed to be able to read music, and nowadays, of course, it's possible to listen to talking books. All very confusing in this modern crazy world ! :-)
Thank goodness I'm not the only fan of this band that wants to still embrace them but is just weary of the sad upset artist lyrics. It's obvious his voice is going but I still could listen to him if the lyrics were better and he didn't seem to repeat himself over and over. The music is still strong although I hate the mixes over the last few releases. They sound to me so muddled. I guess we'll see what this one does for me.
I'm sure i'm going to be in a minority, but increasingly I have found their albums becoming little more than a tapestry of unrelated jams that H tries to place some words over. I know they speak so highly of producer Michael Hunter as being their "6th member" but for me, I don't think he holds a candle to Dave Meegan, whose albums stood head and shoulders above those by Hunter - of course there are odd tracks on Hunter-era albums that stand up well to those on Afraid of Sunlight and Marbles (amongst my best) but the quality-control to mu ears just doesn't seem there like it was in the earlier Hogarth albums. That all said, a mediocre Marillion is often still better than most, but i do get a sense that their creative light is either fading or they need a reset from a new producer
As a fan of Marillion, I must say that I find this album a drudge. Nothing grabs me. The promotion of modern authoritarianism through the likes of Thunberg and humans as bio weapons is all too predictable.
I'm guessing that you don't want it to be preachy, because it's not what you would be preaching yourself? You want this band to make mindless music? This band?!
Am I the only one who has grown tired of musicians and actors droning on about how awful and miserable the world is? When did Roger Waters join Marillion?
I consider Marillion one of my favorite bands but so far I've been turned off by the subject matter and lyrics, global warming garbage and c o v i d crap. I'll probably still give it a chance if not purely for musicality.
In my opinion, the last album they did that is worth a listen was Marbles. Played F.E.A.R once and don’t think I will bother with this. The preview track is pretty poor
@@freedomisslavery6840 Sounds That Can't Be Made has some good songs like the title track or the heart-wrenching The Sky Above the Rain. FEAR left me totally cold, though.
Playing FEAR once and only once is absolutely foolish. You do know who you're listening to, yes? A band that requires you to listen to each album at least 5 times before coming to any conclusions on either side. Disappointed to hear this tbh.
@@drink_with_the_dead I’ve been listening since the 80’s, have my name and face on their albums, pre paid so they could make the records, saw them 15 times live etc etc etc.
One Hell of an Album , the more I hear it the more I love it, a masterpiece
I adore this album. The more I listen to it, the more I dig on it, the more I love it. A masterpiece.
What a beautiful review! Really enjoyed it, cannot wait for the album to come out. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Now that the album is out, I'm watching. Listened all the way through during my afternoon walk. A beautiful work of musical art.
Love your rich descriptions and informed references. Very insightful and thoughtful. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Can’t wait to hear the entire album.
I'll be picking this up for sure. "F.E.A.R." is in my top five Marillion albums (has it really been SIX YEARS?!?). Thanks for the review!
I'm hoping it's a lot better than 'F.E.A.R.', but judging by what i've already heard i'm not optimistic!
As much as i try Fear is unlistenable
@@sean317 What confused me about F.E.A.R. was both the press, and the band themselves considered it a real return to form, when it patently wasn't!
Wonderful review as always. Somehow you always manage to get us into the mood of an album before we even listen to it and that’s remarkable. Thank you
Glad you enjoy it!
Marillion's music is profound and sublime. I can't wait to receive my copy. Excellent review!
Thank you
Hi Barry. I am already over the moon over the impending release of this masterpiece no doubt. What an incredible review. How does this epic band that has already supplied me with my sublime soundtrack outdo themselves. Here is hoping that I receive it on March 4th. I think in the meantime I will attempt to reproduce this artwork on canvas. Thank you Barry and thank you Marillion
Thank you kindly!
The artwork is gorgeous!
@@MrChippiechappie Nobody is forcing you to fucking listen to it...!
I've listened to it four times already. It's brilliant not only musically and sonically, but also thematically. The lyrics are very powerful. It's a masterpiece!!!
Loved your review - someone who really gets what is going on here - exceptional music! As a huge fan of the band myself I have not liked everything from the last 20 years that they have done but at their best Marillion are up there with the finest. Thanks also for not too many spoilers as I notice you reference a lot of lyrics that are already out there in the album trailer. Very excited to hear what I’m
sure will be a truly great work by a band at their creative pinnacle! Cheers
Well, that certainly kicked up my already high anticipation! great review and I can’t wait to hear it for myself
Great review…Counting down the days to this masterpiece.
Wow I have never heard a album review done so well ,your words reflect my thoughts perfectly. Great review
Glad you enjoyed it! Do check out my other videos
It's a Masterpiece. Confirmed
Marillion moves my soul.
Haven't heard of Marillion, but that made the video even more interesting. Excellent review.
Check out 'FEAR' and 'Marbles'
@@classicalbum and Brave and Afraid of Sunlight...
It's an interesting question, which one album would you give someone to get them into Marillion? 🤔
@@classicalbum Probably Clutching then seasons end
@@markallen8802 Clutching, Misplaced Childhood, Scripts, Fugazi are all masterpieces, Marbles has some jewels you don’t want to miss!
Thaks for this! I really can not wait for this one!
Thank you for this review!
The title and overall theme of the album gets uncomfortably close
to recent events.
Also, the music is largely excellent. Just finished my first complete listen
and I think I might just be ready for another one …
Great review i've not listened to any tracks from it yet as i have my vinyl coming on friday and will hear it all then cant wait
My physical copy is on its way.
Have the vinyl on pre order can’t wait.
I finally got the album and have had a chance to listen to it for a few times. It is an excellent album. It kind of reminds me of Pink Floyd's The Division Bell. Sonically the album is impressive and it is one I can see listening to constantly for a while. I really like "Reprogram The Gene" and "Care" mini epics. But for me my favorite has to be "Murder Machines". I love the lyrics and how powerful the song is. This album has some great little epics that are broken down into small 3 minute minuets. Would definitely recommend the album. Great review Barry.
Very thoughtful and helpful review. Just discovering this album now….it feels like a slightly optimistic cousin of FEAR….similar sounds but different messaging.
Fine review l must say... thank you!
Thanks for watching!
From the tracks I've already heard I think this album will be a master-piece. Can't wait to hear it....and maybe see them live (for the 7th time,to bring them level with Maximo Park as my "most watched").
Best band in the world
After giving it a good blast this morning for the time .it's going to be an album like fear that will take a few listens ..there was a few moments in the album that jumped rite out and were musically great..I know they are going to play album completely live on the marillion weekend shoes and this is where this will become an epic like fear live ...so a few more listens and yes it will resonate as good as fear ..
Maybe I'm in the minority but I wasn't a fan of F.E.A.R, not because of its political messaging (which did come across a little bit preachy to me tbh) but because it felt very 'samey'. That is my main issue with the past few Marillion albums, they all seem to blend in to one another from a sound and style point of view. 'Marbles' is the last truly great Marillion album for me, but hopefully 'An Hour Before it's Dark' offers a little more musical diversity.
I agree Marbles for me too, was last really good album.
On the spot comment! Still, I will always give Marillion my love, attention, and open credit! They marked my life in many ways!
If you thought FEAR was preachy then this will drown you in holy water after a three week unending sermon. I listened twice today. I don't think I will ever revisit this. I've never been a fan of having someone lecture me after taking my money.
Political messages/preaching to me in music is usually an immediate turn off. There’s been enough of that shit for years now no matter where you turn and I get the sense most regular people are tired of it
Hopefully there's more focus on songs and not sounds on this album. Love the tracks that are out, great review can't wait.
I love all that ambient, trippy stuff. I rather enjoy the atmospheres explored on this album and the last.
Absolutely brilliant
This chap should have his own radio show!
My wife says I'd look better on the radio :-)
Brilliant band loved them since I saw them in 83 at Southampton gaumont with fish and love the new hogarth era too
"New." Man's been "new" for 33 years!
@@jpdunphy1 OK smart arse
This entire album is absolutely magnificent
I have always enjoyed Marillions sound. Marbles was their last great album. I have high hopes for this album due to their first track. But admittedly, I tire of bands veering towards the political. Songs about the environment feel cliche at this point. Seasons end was over 30y ago This could be a product of my age being in my late 50s. That being said, I am completely sold on this review and I am looking forward to listening to the album. But I will save myself the aggravation by not following the lyric notes.
^To be fair, they have been pretty unpolitical after Seasons End, with only a few tracks (the first two on Radiation and a handful on Somewhere Else) making some statements, before Gaza signaled that thematic turn.
Didn't get the comment about Mark Kelly playing chicken with vehicles. What's that all about?
Kelly was hit by a car while out jogging a few years ago.
@@carlisonhart3554 OK. Never heard about that! Thanks for clearing that up. I thought there was some joke I wasn't getting.
I'm not sure it was a car, I think it was a bin wagon.
They were on tour and Mark ran in front of a lorry and ended up in hospital with broken ribs and bruising. Ricardo Romano had to fill in for keyboards
@@classicalbum when they played
in Essen Germany
can somebody get them to australia please i think their on a winner with this
I wonder if we will ever get a review without a literature reference
as someone once said "there was a young man from nantucket"
No. Literature is part of my DNA. It forms the bedrock of who I am and the way I think. My discipline is English lit - my passion is music. I don't see them as mutually exclusive.
@@classicalbum As those great modern philosophers the cheeky girls said "You are a cheeky boy"
ps: still cant forgive marillion for releasing Lavender as a single
@@TheD4VR0S
As someone never said ... separating music from books is like separating your pasta from your sauce ... it should never be attempted !
@@keithf_ I agree - there is a deep connection between many forms of art. More importantly, and to address the point raised in the firts comment, I am unable to separate them in my own head.
For centuries, people have claimed to be able to read music, and nowadays, of course, it's possible to listen to talking books.
All very confusing in this modern crazy world ! :-)
I like the album artwork but I thought it was a logo for a non binary bicycle cooperative.
Thank goodness I'm not the only fan of this band that wants to still embrace them but is just weary of the sad upset artist lyrics. It's obvious his voice is going but I still could listen to him if the lyrics were better and he didn't seem to repeat himself over and over. The music is still strong although I hate the mixes over the last few releases. They sound to me so muddled. I guess we'll see what this one does for me.
musically its a wonderful album but lyrically hogarth is showing an enormous amount of naivity - hard to listen too
I'm sure i'm going to be in a minority, but increasingly I have found their albums becoming little more than a tapestry of unrelated jams that H tries to place some words over. I know they speak so highly of producer Michael Hunter as being their "6th member" but for me, I don't think he holds a candle to Dave Meegan, whose albums stood head and shoulders above those by Hunter - of course there are odd tracks on Hunter-era albums that stand up well to those on Afraid of Sunlight and Marbles (amongst my best) but the quality-control to mu ears just doesn't seem there like it was in the earlier Hogarth albums. That all said, a mediocre Marillion is often still better than most, but i do get a sense that their creative light is either fading or they need a reset from a new producer
I agree. The past few albums have been creatively lacking to my ears.
I can guarantee you that they won't be changing producers. To each his own, but you're in the minority here.
As a fan of Marillion, I must say that I find this album a drudge. Nothing grabs me. The promotion of modern authoritarianism through the likes of Thunberg and humans as bio weapons is all too predictable.
I hope it’s not preachy
Hmmmm🤔
It's preachy. Marillion have been preachy since the days of Forgotten Sons. Get over it.
I'm guessing that you don't want it to be preachy, because it's not what you would be preaching yourself? You want this band to make mindless music? This band?!
@@MrChippiechappie well, their music is obviously not for you..perhaps Ted Nugent is more your style 😉
@@MrChippiechappie lol, ok.
Am I the only one who has grown tired of musicians and actors droning on about how awful and miserable the world is? When did Roger Waters join Marillion?
Maybe but they are making some of the most beautiful music ever made which enriches our lives so I will take that thankyou :-)
Marillion have often erred on the darker side of things. (See what I did there?) "Brave" isn't exactly uplifting, and that's from 1994.
Season's End has some dark moments
@@classicalbum Hooks In You?😀❤️
Some dark moments - not all dark. 'Hooks in You' was way too poppy for my taste as was the 'Holidays' album
I consider Marillion one of my favorite bands but so far I've been turned off by the subject matter and lyrics, global warming garbage and c o v i d crap. I'll probably still give it a chance if not purely for musicality.
Lololol..not the band for you bro.
An overlong review that would benefit from some judicious editing. The ad break actually came as a relief.
12 minutes is not remotely 'overlong' for an album review, don't be ridiculous.
@@freedomisslavery6840 Nobody told you, less can be more
What a ridiculous comment.
In my opinion, the last album they did that is worth a listen was Marbles. Played F.E.A.R once and don’t think I will bother with this. The preview track is pretty poor
I agree, they havn't come close to Marbles since IMO.
The New King is one of the best track ever
@@freedomisslavery6840 Sounds That Can't Be Made has some good songs like the title track or the heart-wrenching The Sky Above the Rain.
FEAR left me totally cold, though.
Playing FEAR once and only once is absolutely foolish. You do know who you're listening to, yes? A band that requires you to listen to each album at least 5 times before coming to any conclusions on either side. Disappointed to hear this tbh.
@@drink_with_the_dead I’ve been listening since the 80’s, have my name and face on their albums, pre paid so they could make the records, saw them 15 times live etc etc etc.