Marbles is one of their true masterpieces. The scope in sound, the width and depth of their songwriting is just staggering. There is full on prog like this song but also more gentle songs and even some psychedelic pop. You however have to listen to the original 2 disc album which is the way the album is conceived and includes the cinematic epic Ocean Cloud.
Just noticed that while the double album is on Spotify, the order is incorrect (Genie - The Only Unforgivable Thing - Marbles II - Fantastic Place - Ocean Cloud). I wonder why that is?
JP the entire album "Misplaced childhood" was a true masterpiece that deserves your reaction, when you can, take a look, you will be amazed at the high quality of that conceptual work, all the sections are perfectly interconnected from start to finish. If you ever do, you should consider reacting to one side of the disc at a time, like a "Supper's Ready" or " The Gates of delirium "
Genesis, Rush and Marillion. The Holy Triumvirate. I loved this track instantly and Hogarth's performance live is something to behold. A very dark brooding opener from them. No other track on the album sounds like this one. Wait until you hear a song where the 2 Steve's take the musical centre stage! Please listen to the title track, Out of this World, Gazpacho and King from the "Afraid of Sunlight" album.
The beginning of The Invisible Man from Marbles illicits an immediate emotional response for me. It reminds me of the road trip driving to my best friend's house listening to Marbles as a new album. Genesis and Marillion were our favorite bands and we spent lots of time in the car together belting out our favorite songs. I am also sad because of his eventual suicide less than a year later due to depression. The Marbles (2004) and Brave (1994) albums are particularly emotional for me, the latter being about a young girl battling with depression and eventually taking her own life by jumping off a bridge, which is the manner in which my best friend took his life. They are still my favorite Hogarth-era Marillion albums. JP, if you ever do album reviews of Marillion, I highly recommend Marbles and Brave. Marbles is more of a theme than a story like Brave. The musicianship is top-notch and there's plenty to talk about. For a single song recommendation, I really would like to hear your reaction to This Strange Engine, the title track to a different album from Marillion. It is their "Supper's Ready" equivalent, IMO, and one of my favorites from them. Such an amazing build-up and climax. Looking forward to the day you review that one.
I have a fondness for the live version from 2011 ("Holidays in Eden Live") - Hogarth actually sings a part one octave higher than in the original, insane!
So: Marillion - The New Kings And: Easter Neverland The great escape Afraid of sunlight The Space Interior lulu (!) Ocean cloud Real tears for sale And so on, and so on :)
The Script album really hasn't aged very well. The other three of the Fish era hold up a lot better, especially the last two. Misplaced Childhood is one of the best concept albums of all time, in my opinion. Once Fish left and Steve Hogarth joined the band they kind of became a different band with a considerably different sound. There's a lot of fantastic music from their many, many albums. The albums Afraid of Sunlight, Brave, and Marbles are all exceptional.
Hi Justin. Your initial reaction to this song is more positive than mine was, when I first heard it in 2004. I also thought it drags along for too long. But after listening to a live version soon after, I suddenly understood the whole song and its structure. Today this is one of my favourites from them. You should definately check some others out, maybe some shorter ones, to get a better feel and understanding of the band. I would recommend: Afraid Of Sunlight The Party Three Minute Boy Fantastic Place Sounds That Can't Be Made Easter Real Tears For Sale Living With The Big Lie Made Again...and not really short NEVERLAND They are one of the pioneers of crowdfunding and they let their fans pay for their albums in advance. So they have almost complete artistic freedom and they are able to explore their musical boundaries. Their fans love it.
Frank Feddern I would like to add that they are a completely independent band for those who do not know and a have a huge live catalogue including downloads of recent tours. And they also have fan weekends when they play three nights of special material for fans.
I felt like you should’ve had the lights off listening to this, at least the beginning, that’s where I am now. And that’s a compliment to the song. I love when a mood can be created so clearly and effectively.
One of my favorite bands ever Marbles a great album to go all the way through Ocean Cloud one of my favorites of all time I'll disagree on length told a story that needed to be that long Just about right If you listen to more Marillion you will find Rothery to one of the great guitarists in the vein/style of Steve Hackett so much expressiveness in his playing I agree with the comment below ...Check out live vids of this song Ocean Cloud and Neverland....all from Marbles Also if you want a really timely song , check out 'Gaza " powerful stuff. I could go on,,,can't say enough about them
Omg I'm so happy right now! This is such an amazing song, from such an underrated band!! I hope you like this as much as I do, and I hope it can convince you to check out their latest album! Okey I'll start watching now :D
Marbles is such an amazing album, and I'm so happy to hear that you like it! :D I agree that the bass and the keyboards are awesome, but! As you listen to more songs, oh boy, Steve rothery on the guitar will absolutely blow you away. Take my word for it. And they give a way such an amazing live show. I've been to three of their concerts so far, and they make a veey good second after Genesis. Really, amazing. I hope you'll keep listening to them, this is such an amazing band, trust me :) I'm really really happy you arrived at Marillion :D
These songs are written to perform live and are tear jerkers. Wonderful stuff.when I first saw Marillion in 81 and believe you me Script was a towering live album to watch and enjoy. This band evolves ever album release but it’s live when they are unbeatable. Well done for not shedding a tear Jester!
Steve Hogarth likes to add double meanings and metaphors in his lyrics, and he is very good at it. You can see this song as the story of an actual invisible man, but he wrote it in response to the UK supporting the US during the war on Irak. This is also about living in a crazy violent world where you can’t do anything to change it. It’s the opener from a double concept-album about the meaning of life, I guess it’s normal to feel a bit lost and confused with this track all alone. The answer is in the last song "Neverland" (spoiler) where you go from "I have become the invisible man" to "At times like these any fool can see your love inside me". Steve Hogarth and Mark Kelly are huge Massive Attack fans. Andy Gangadeen one of the magical drummers in Massive attack is a good friend of Hogarth and was a member of his solo band. JP you still have to hear Rothery’s Gilmouresque guitar solos and talking about power notes from the singer don’t worry you will find many phenomenal ones in their discography. Tcho !
Hi Justin ! Verry happy you did it ! And I didn't expect it that soon. ;) Also, I didn't expect you would quote my comment and even say my name ! xD I'm relieved your only complaint was the "too much build up". For sure, this wasn't the easiest song to start with (please forgive me) and I'm happy you take it that good. But anyway, too late to go back, there's now plenty more to discover, easier, and maybe, you're right, more melodic and less "ambiant only" (you didn't hear anything about what Steve Rothery can do). I absolutely remember having goosebumps when the last part starts with H singing "But I aaam the invisible man" (especially this Maaaa aaa aaa aaann, with this rough high pitched tone voice coming from nowhere) when I've listen to it the first time. That wasn't my first Marillion attempt, I guess having already been familiar with their music helped. I personnaly started with the album Anoraknophobia. First song is almost like a pop rock single, straightforward and melodic. Second song was the begining of my love relationship with them : Quartz. There's a lot of albums, and songs sound very diferent, but always with the Marillion spirit. Buildup, harmonies, melodies. This is the best definition of "progressive" I can get, roller coaster music. My favorite band will still be Genesis, but Marillion is just behind, or at same level, in a different way. Quick list of songs I recommend : Easter, Splintering Heart, This Town / The Rakes Progress / 100 Nights, Living with the Big Lie, Runaway, The Great Escape, Gazpacho, Afraid Of Sunlight, King, Estonia, This Strange Engine (must), Interior Lulu (much better live), Quartz, If My Heart Were a Ball It Would Roll Uphill, Ocean Cloud (must), Somewhere Else (much better live), Real Tears for Sale, Sounds That Can't Be Made ... (and many more)
Pete Trewavas also plays bass in the band "Transatlantic"... and Roine Stolt plays guitar in "Transatlantic"... Roine Stolt is head of "The Flower Kings"... boom there you have it.. you have to do Flower Kings next :D
Hi Justin, I recently discovered you in UA-cam, since you reaction of “School” by Supertramp, where you showed good taste in music, trying to listen great details in a song, and I like a lot that; Now, with Marillion you are going to find great music in dozens of songs, albums and the beauty is that all are different, with a deeper meaning about real life; For millions of people around the world, fans or not, Marillion have changed their life, of course mine too. I will follow you bc you give a chance to any kind of music, band and style. Love your work. 👍
I’ve listened to all of The Fish Years of Marillion and a bit of Steve Hogarth Mostly Just Seasons End and Neverland, However this song I loved it first time I’ve heard it and It’s got soo much Emotion to it and I like it and same as you I was surprised
When you are a fan of a band, and familiar with the music, it can become difficult to see past your enthusiasm and anticipate what will catch the ear of the uninitiated or casual listener. This is not a track I would have chosen for someone unfamiliar with Marillion. It's a powerful and atmospheric live experience, but does drag a little in this format. I would have thought the band better served by shorter tracks: The Space, Splintering Heart, King, Out of This World, for example before attempting more epic selections. St Stephen's Basilica is in Budapest, as referenced earlier in the song. It's odd how you become increasingly invisible and irrelevant to the world as you get older. Until you pass away your final days in the hellish netherworld of a care home. It's where you find the Marillion fans who never forgave the band for the departure of Fish more than thirty years ago. They sit hunched in dark corners dribbling tea down the fronts of their cardigans, muttering vaguely about how music can only be called "progressive" if it sounds like it was written and recorded in 1972.
''it's music Jim, but not as we know it ''. When this album came out I listened to it so much I thought I was going to sicken myself, but I love it even more as the years pass. Side note: This album was album was financed by the fans, and because I joined that cause my name appears in the Deluxe Campaign Edition.
Marillion is incredibly diverse, we have all their albums on a stick in the car and there is no other band that I can listen album after album to, without getting bored.
I got a feeling you would absolutely dig Marillion - Neverland, in fact I can already picture you looking at the camera during that piece giving us the approval look ! Marillion - Neverland, a must!
@@JustJP Marillion - Misplaced Childhood is a concept album that is very much deserving of a full listen, even if you do it off cam, most definitely a top 10 album of all time for me. I rarely say it but that one is a masterpiece from beginning to end.
Hey Justin! Love your channel. I like what you said about starting at the beginning. First song, etc. Well, I have a request. You recently heard Chris Squire's solo album's first song. I recommend hearing Patrick Moraz's first band Mainhorse from 1972. They made only 1 album but it was fantastic and I believe it is right up your alley. All the songs are progressive but have many moods and different motifs. One song may be hard rocking, while the next is jazzy while the next bluesy. All remaining progressive with strong keys from Moraz. I recommend starting (you guessed it) with their FIRST song (appropriately titled) "Introduction". It is really something all lovers of progressive rock and rock in general would probably enjoy! Best wishes!
I was surprised as well. I've heard this band's name off on and on for a long time, but this is the first work I've heard by them. I think your analysis is spot on. It's a song that has no discernible structure in the traditional sense as in verse, chorus and seems to be creating itself as it evolves and develops. The opening REALLY reminded me of the tones of Peter Gabriel's UP album. Its protagonist seems to be aimlessly wandering until the character comes upon that anguished loneliness and everything that is at the heart of it. Very unusual piece. And rather painfully sad. Not something I'll be spinning frequently.
You really should give the song "Estonia" a listen. It's from Marillion's ninth studio album "This Strange Engine" from 1997. The song is about the cruise ferry disaster when the MS Estonia sank in the Baltic Sea on 28 September 1994, being a wet grave for 852 people. They just recently released a new album called "With Friends From The Orchestra" where they play some of their best songs together with a string quartet, a flutist and a french horn player. (They recorded it together live in the studio, so not the classical approach where everyone plays their part individually) And they made an absolutely wonderful version of "Estonia" for the album. There's also an official video of it on YT.
:)...Nice to see you enjoying great stuff...You're listening to those in the comments that know the groups intimately. Listen to the experts. I'm not a big Marillion fan but; I see some great comments from people that are; I can't wait to check out their suggestions...Thanks Justin and Thanks youtube... Not sure if you recognize that you create a forum for the obscure groups like VDGG, Camel, Marillion et al. ...That's a good thing.:) Prog is all about interesting sounds mixed with melodies created in free form...It lets you grasp the idea of the Artist. The bands create a soundscape as complex as the greatest works of art...It's a lifetime pursuit. It's all "Third Eye" music.
First. Off to work. Listen later. Many hours later. Good mellow vibe. Reminds me a bit of early Coldplay, especially the repetitive guitar riffs. Especially enjoyed section at about 10:20 with keyboards. Great guitar solo at 12:30, very Beatle-esque.
Modern Marillion are quite like more ambitious Coldplay - Genie is a good example. And a Beatles influence peeks through every now and then. I think "The Damage" is their version of "Sowing the Seeds of Love" - a Beatles pastiche alternating between a tension-laden verse and an all-out chorus.
Stunned by this one. I listened to the misplaced childhood some months ago and was very not impressed but this one was really brillant, just a little too slow at some moment for me.
I think you were pretty spot on with your assessment. Also starting with the opening song was a wise choice...I believe you'll really like it. I saw this tour and it was the 1st time I saw Marillion. I came away feeling that Steve Hogarth is amongst the Top 3 frontmen I have seen 'live'. I had to go backwards for '80s Marillion, though I did have and liked 'Missplaced Childhood' (which should be listened to start to fininsh). And for all the Fish fans, I did see him 'live', I believe before I saw Marrilion...He is Great. I do prefer Hogarth.
Your reaction of surprise having only heard Script before is just so fitting. Even though you're new to their music, it perfectly mirrors the public perception. After all these years, Marillion continue to be known for the stuff they did in the 80's. Few people realise that they've moved on, and if they do hear more recent Marillion, they're usually very surprised. I know this well, because it happened to me too. Marbles would be a good album to do in full. Some long-form epics, but also mixed with some shorter songs in less proggy styles (still good). While it's not exactly a concept album, certainly one that circles around a few connected themes. Do it soon please. You know it makes sense.
Hi Justin, I've been enjoying your reactions (especially Supertramp) and am glad you revisited Marillion. Please do "Chelsea Monday", I know you'll love it. Pretty please :)
With Fish, Marillion was a generic prog band. Good, but not brilliant. With Hogarth, Marillion became Marillion, with personality. A great band, with more diverse musical elements: electronic, pop, indie and progressive, obviously. The Rotery's guitar playing amazes me. Very emotional playing, just beautiful. Thanks for react to my favorite band. I can't wait for Neverland. Another suggestion is This Strange Engine from the album with the same title.
You get a Sub just because, lol. Seriously, this is one of those albums that came around at a the perfect time in my life. It holds a special place. That said, I'm biased haha. So happy to see that you liked this.
Also, as a lifelong fan, I'm so happy hear you talk about the bass. Pete Trewavas is such a musical soul, he indeed keeps the whole thing going with his lines. Check out the transition music in "Goodbye To All That" on their album 'Brave,' they're so good at the "build-up," musically speaking.
The Marbles Album is great, especialy when you gut the two disc set with ocean cloud. Remember how they confused an rock audience when on tour with deep purple, and they started their set with the invisible man - well I was there for marillion
Your on the major league of Marillion’s songs. Live, this song is amazing. From them, I suggest Incubus from Fugazi, This Strange Engine or the 3 first songs of Clutching At Straws.
I've been slowing getting into Marillion over the past year or so, but I was loathe to make the jump into the Hogarth era. I finally listened to the first two albums, Seasons End and Holiday in Eden. H certainly has the singing chops and there are quite a few really good songs. However, Fish had such a strong personality and interesting style in the early albums that I miss so far with H. I'm not going to give up though. I know there are some better albums to come. I liked this one for a first listen. It gives me hope.
I like Marillion. They have yet to overwhelm me, but have come close. I have followed them since 1984 or so and seen them live 3 or 4 times. Also Fish solo once. Some of their stuff just puts me to sleep. A nice floaty peaceful sleep.
Although I prefer the Fish-era, there is much to appreciate about the Hogarth-era. I really like many of their latter day stuff, and 'Invisible Man' is right up there with my favorites. Misplaced Childhood and Clutching at Straws are my two favorite Marillion albums. I really enjoy marillion.com a lot. It was the album which actually brought me back to the band after I'd given up on them after Holidays in Eden. Holidays in Eden had little to offer. Somewhere Else has lots of nice songs, but seems to put off a lot of people. (Just skip over the dreadfully embarrassing 'The Most Toys' nonsense.) . Great reaction, JP! Brew up a cuppa for me!
Agree with suggestions for Misplaced Childhood. You may also want to go back to their earlier album, Fugazi and check out "Incubus" , "Assassing", and the unexpectedly vicious "Punch and Judy"
If you liked this, try Gaza, This Strange Engine or The Great Escape. Always try the live versions too. On CD, Marillion are excellent but live, they are on a totally different planet
Thanks for your intelligent comments. Well worth digging deeper into Marillion - 19 studio albums and they are still writing intelligent, powerful music... with a line-up that has remained the same since Steve H replaced Fish in 1988!
Both eras with Fish or H are good, just different ; although I see a constant backbone of good taste and artistic approach in each and every album they produced. I only see an evolution from the far distant 80's till now, as they - like we do - get older each year. They never really repeat themselves and I like this. When a new Marillion comes up, you just never know what to expect, Sometimes thrown by what you listen to but at the end of the day, you'll love it. There are true gems in both periods and I encourage you to dig deep in their efforts. I'm sure you'll find things that will move you deep.
I'm a Genesis man, but Misplaced Childhood is probably my favourite album of all time, but after Fish split from the band both Fish and Marillion became a non-entity to me. I've always wondered if I could get back into Marillion but having heard this I don't feel like I'm missing much...
Hello, If you like misplaced childhood you should try a listen to this, you won’t be disapointed : Neverland : ua-cam.com/video/rWFuzjqJYpY/v-deo.html The Space : ua-cam.com/video/Nm_TcAAySbc/v-deo.html This strange engine : ua-cam.com/video/Acosk3NuLuQ/v-deo.html Season’s end : ua-cam.com/video/coSNn0cab1o/v-deo.html If you like, don’t hesitate to ask me if you want other titles to discover.
@@paulschirf9259 I think Afraid of Sunlight is the easily accessible h-era album - that and Anoraknophobia have a good mix of longer, thoughtful and somewhat lighthearted songs.
Oh you just dont know! Hogarth takes this band to another level! If and when you do listen to "Neverland", almost any live version is recommended. One of the few groups I listen to everyday their still active and relevant! Have a great day J.P.Oh and by the way you'd better check the Weather Report!!!
I love Marillion. Justin, as soon as you can, do a review of the album Misplaced Childhood, which is without a doubt a masterpiece album. Any Marillion fan will agree that this album is fantastic, the whole album. For everyone who loves the Peter Gabriel era, in Genesis, it's a delight. Hugs.
If you don't know this band already, you should definitely add some Magma on your song list. It's a french band from the 70's making their own-called music genre "Zeuhl", a kind of mix between jazz fusion/prog rock, vocal harmonies and orchestrated sections. Drummer Christian Vander created a special language, "Kobaian" just to feat his musical universe. Coltrane and Elvin Jones are his masters and he is a phenomenal drummer. I suggest you to start with the very first song of their very first album "Kobaia", 10 minutes of a pure musical escape (the live version on UA-cam, Magma - Epok 1 - Kobaia, is even better to appreciate their skills, almost like a trance song). The whole album is a concept about leaving planet Earth to go to Kobaia, a new planet to start a brand new humanity.
Finally watched your reaction. You made some good points. I like this song but it's not among my favourite Marillo tracks, at least not in the studio version which just sounds a bit too constrained and overproduced. Live, most noticeably, Hogarth's singing is much better, and I have heard a couple of stunning versions. Nonetheless: Although Marbles is a long album (talking about the 2CD edition, not the single disc which leaves off some of the best songs) and maybe filled with too many slow (and often long) songs, I think it would be worth doing a bit of a deep dive. The fact that "The Damage", "You're Gone" and "Neverland" (the big finale to end all big finales) can peacefully coexist on one record is pretty amazing. Marillion were big fans of Massive Attack, they were one of the bands influencing their style change over the millennium. The song "House" had the working title "The Massive Attack Song"! I've tended to interpret the lyric as an out-of-body experience or nightmare (which might make sense with the sudden ending). The line "I am perfectly sane" (which sort of continues the opening "The world's gone mad") ties into the album title itself and the scattered bits of the title track, where the narrator talks of losing his marbles and maybe going to a psychologist to find them again. It's a somewhat loose concept but a neat one nonetheless. In case you want to go all-into the album, this is how I'd group the songs: Marbles I / Genie Fantastic Place The Only Unforgivable Thing / Marbles II Ocean Cloud Marbles III / The Damage Don't Hurt Youself You're Gone / Angelina Drilling Holes Marbles IV / Neverland
OK first off I literally laughed out loud at your invisible intro Justin...lol...so...Im a big Marillion fan...they won me over in a live performance some years back. Marillion is subject to the same debate as Genesis (Gabriel vs Collins)..here we have Fish vs Hogarth..and the divide. Im personally in the Hogarth camp..I thought Fish was too similar to Gabriel back in the day. I just love Hogarth's voice and his melodic vocal stylings. That said, I couldn't see myself coming back to this one..it just sounded, to me, like he was struggling to find a melodic hook here, which never came. He moreso just mumbled lyrics in a whispery tone over the music.What puts me off even more is I know how capable this band is of achieving just that.I much prefer stronger melodies ( Season's End.....Easter...The King of Sunset Town...or...back in the Fish days "Sugar Mice in the Rain." On the plus side...very cool sonic textures used here..the beginning actually took me to early 80's Gabriel.Stick with these guys Justin, it will pay off. Cheers from Canada!!
This song is amazing imo, pretty difficult to get into, though. Maybe that's why you thought it felt too long. I think the length gives it space to grow in a more organic way... Go for Living With the big Lie (Steven wilson mix is brillian), Drilling Holes or Asylum Satelite. You'll love em!
A lot of Marillion stuff only started to make sense to me after four or five listens, so I'm not surprised a first listen would draw mixed reactions...
I`m sorry to nag you tonight (late nighttime in Norway), but i`m anxiously awaiting any first listen from ELP.... Probably said it before, but i would suggest maybe Knife-Edge, Take a Pebble (debut album) or Tarkus (Tarkus album), to start with. Funnily enough i have great confidence in your future love for ELP, so there`s no point in delaying this eternal high.. You`re welcome to the club!
Anyone listen to Fish's solo stuff? A Feast of Consequence is a good listen. It's a WW1 tribute. A good song to start with of that is Thistle Alley... Others are High Wood, Crucifix Corner and the title track
Ah..... yes!!!! At last ;-) Marbles is one the the three jewels from the Hogarth era (Brave and Afraid of sunlight are the 2 others). You should if you have the courage do the whole album (it's long), but worth the listen. I really recommend you Ocean clouds and Neverland from this album if you can't do the whole thing ;-)
I'm a Marillion man from the days of Fish as the lead singer... This isn't bad but doesn't convince me to go much further. In that vein, I have been listening to some of the early stuff from Fish's new album and it sounds great. He has come quite a way since Script For a Jesters Tear. HMMMM - Massive Attack - Go on, give us a "previously heard" reaction from them and tell us why you like it... you know you want to. It's always good to hear them.
Every time I listen to Marillion I get extremely hopeful about them, the beautiful melding of bass and keyboard is amazing. Parts of every Marillion song are the most beautiful thing you can ever hear. Amazing musicianship, but they are just slightly overdramatic for too long, it begins to lose impact for me. Still an amazing listen everytime.
Marillion have such a vast catalogue now that it's difficult to pick a typical song by them, this is far from their most melodic efforts but in places it represents their sound since Hogarth became their singer. For a more straight forward look at them I'd recommend Easter.
I agree with you about this track taking time to develop - the other two longer tracks on this album, "Ocean Cloud" (best Marillion song IMO) and "Neverland" do a better job at it. I noticed you haven't reacted to any Anathema - I think you would dig their sound from 2010 on.
I hear influence of Porcupine Tree in there. They've had a lot of personnel changes, right? I only got into the album Misplaced Childhood. Well actually personnel difference is only the change in vocalist (Fish).
Together with Pendragon the band I've seen live most. Probably because my wife likes them both as well ;-) I don't like everything they've done but this album was killer for me. Love this song a lot.
Great as most of their albums/songs are there's barely one of them that isn't even better live (and I've been fortunate enough to test this theory in person, especially at their conventions where they play 40-50 different songs over 3 nights) but they do at times go on a bit longer than they really need to - but this one doesn't feel that long to me, especially live, and is probably my favourite of their epics. Genie is a great more concise number from the same album, Easter, Afraid of Sunlight and The Great Escape are long-term fan favourites, or for something more upbeat Man of a Thousand Faces is a good fun one from them.
marillion had written very good songs : you can choose to react to these tracks from them : the kin of sunset town - the great escape - easter - happiness is the road - this strange engine - neverland
The Hogarth era Marillion goes for an emotional hit as its first priority. Some people don't like the discomfort of feeling anything. Some prog is full of technical virtuosity from the musicians who crank out jaw-dropping instrumental bits within songs that have zero emotional impact. I suppose a sense of wonder at the skills involved is an emotion of sorts, but a fairly shallow one, IMHO. This song depicts the emotional anguish of a man who lost his lover to another man. If you've never had that happen to you, then it might be difficult to connect with the song or understand its purpose. Despite having as its primary goal an appeal to the hearts of the listeners, Marillion is filled with a group of master musicians who play with restraint within a band whose focus is always the song and not the chance to show off some chops. Hogarth has the best male voice in the business right now, but for some odd reason all of the studio versions downplay his vocal skills, or maybe he just thrives on the presence of a live audience. If you choose to do another Marillion song among the dozens already suggested by other commenters, choose the live version rather than the studio one. Live is always much, much better. There is a virulent debate ongoing now, and since 1989, instigated by Fish lovers who insist that Fish leaving the band destroyed it completely. It's at least as bad an argument as the "Phil Collins destroyed Genesis" argument that has persisted now for over 40 years. It is probably an accurate assessment that the Fish era is pretty much a different band, based mainly upon Fish's compositional talents. I'm glad you've sampled something from the Hogarth era. Whether one era is better than the other is going to be a matter of personal taste. Fish lived an egotistical, dissolute drug and alcohol riddled personal life, and tended to honestly and brilliantly write about his feelings while living with those personal demons. Hogarth is a much gentler man and more prone to write about rejection from women and similar topics probably more in line with the life experiences of his fans. It's an odd dichotomy and one that might be expected to produce some pronounced feelings when fans of one era trash the tastes of the fans of the other. At least with the Hogarth era, you can still see the band perform live. You should start saving for your trip to Montreal in 2022 for your first Marillion Weekend experience.
It's funny, I just don't get Marillion since Fish left. Hogarth's voice puts me off, and I find the music very generic and amateurish. For a long time, I thought it was just because I loved the Fish era, and wanted them to be the same. But after so many years, I can put that aside, and listen more objectively, but I just can't get into it. As others have said, you definitely should listen to the Misplaced Childhood album next - probably the most iconic Fish-era album - but these days I actually prefer Clutching at Straws, although it's a bit more of a slow-burn album. Anyway, good review as always. Interesting how you ended up saying it went on a little too long... my thoughts exactly! :D
This choice (an excellent choice!) will start the "Marillion Civil War" again. lol I prefer the Fish years but think that "Season's End" was one of their best albums. I also liked "Brave" - everything else AF (After Fish) is bits'n'pieces for me. Not putting it down, just not my thing. Still happy to know that they are still out there though. They deserved to be bigger. Would recommend: "King Of Sunset Town".
Marillion write songs that twist your emotions on 2 fronts, emotional writing and lyrics that you have to listen to. Try Out of this World about Bluebird and Donald Campbell, you will sob at middle section.
I just wasn't able to get into this tune musically. I kept losing concentration and my mind would wander. Might be my mood, but even after my second listen, the song just dragged. Maybe this song requires lyrics in hand to truly appreciate it. Justin did you get a chance to see if you knew "American Pie" by Don McLean"? The song is a masterpiece. Besides being a great campfire song, the depth of the lyrics is relative to rock icon from the 50's and 60's and events. Also "Vincent" by DM is another masterpiece in my opinion.
Marbles is one of their true masterpieces. The scope in sound, the width and depth of their songwriting is just staggering. There is full on prog like this song but also more gentle songs and even some psychedelic pop. You however have to listen to the original 2 disc album which is the way the album is conceived and includes the cinematic epic Ocean Cloud.
Just noticed that while the double album is on Spotify, the order is incorrect (Genie - The Only Unforgivable Thing - Marbles II - Fantastic Place - Ocean Cloud). I wonder why that is?
Steve Hogarth is an amazing front man.
Probably the best live band ever
It’s a real treat to see them live.
Nice pick, more Marillion please. 👍👍👍
Marillion one of my favorite bands... Especially with STEVE HOGART
Never knowingly listened to Marillion before (put off by the name, for some reason). I liked this a lot, thanks for putting it up.
Happy to! Glad you liked it
JP the entire album "Misplaced childhood" was a true masterpiece that deserves your reaction, when you can, take a look, you will be amazed at the high quality of that conceptual work, all the sections are perfectly interconnected from start to finish. If you ever do, you should consider reacting to one side of the disc at a time, like a "Supper's Ready" or " The Gates of delirium "
Genesis, Rush and Marillion. The Holy Triumvirate. I loved this track instantly and Hogarth's performance live is something to behold. A very dark brooding opener from them. No other track on the album sounds like this one. Wait until you hear a song where the 2 Steve's take the musical centre stage! Please listen to the title track, Out of this World, Gazpacho and King from the "Afraid of Sunlight" album.
Never heard of this band but this video convinced me to take a listen to this whole album. Really good stuff from start to finish honestly.
That's awesome! Glad you liked this one
Welcome to the Marillion family
The beginning of The Invisible Man from Marbles illicits an immediate emotional response for me. It reminds me of the road trip driving to my best friend's house listening to Marbles as a new album. Genesis and Marillion were our favorite bands and we spent lots of time in the car together belting out our favorite songs. I am also sad because of his eventual suicide less than a year later due to depression. The Marbles (2004) and Brave (1994) albums are particularly emotional for me, the latter being about a young girl battling with depression and eventually taking her own life by jumping off a bridge, which is the manner in which my best friend took his life. They are still my favorite Hogarth-era Marillion albums.
JP, if you ever do album reviews of Marillion, I highly recommend Marbles and Brave. Marbles is more of a theme than a story like Brave. The musicianship is top-notch and there's plenty to talk about.
For a single song recommendation, I really would like to hear your reaction to This Strange Engine, the title track to a different album from Marillion. It is their "Supper's Ready" equivalent, IMO, and one of my favorites from them. Such an amazing build-up and climax. Looking forward to the day you review that one.
The soundtrack of my life!!!!!
the live version of this on" marbles on the road "dvd is seriously epic
This is one song you have to see the performance live to get the full effect of the song.
I have a fondness for the live version from 2011 ("Holidays in Eden Live") - Hogarth actually sings a part one octave higher than in the original, insane!
@@progmeup I’ll have to listen to that one today thanks for the tip.
So: Marillion - The New Kings
And:
Easter
Neverland
The great escape
Afraid of sunlight
The Space
Interior lulu (!)
Ocean cloud
Real tears for sale
And so on, and so on :)
And El dorado, Gaza, Trap the spark, Out of this world, Seasons end, Splintering heart
@@alexanderbleeser9784 all of the above. Plus a voice from the past. And many more I'm afraid
The Script album really hasn't aged very well. The other three of the Fish era hold up a lot better, especially the last two. Misplaced Childhood is one of the best concept albums of all time, in my opinion. Once Fish left and Steve Hogarth joined the band they kind of became a different band with a considerably different sound. There's a lot of fantastic music from their many, many albums. The albums Afraid of Sunlight, Brave, and Marbles are all exceptional.
Hi Justin. Your initial reaction to this song is more positive than mine was, when I first heard it in 2004. I also thought it drags along for too long. But after listening to a live version soon after, I suddenly understood the whole song and its structure. Today this is one of my favourites from them. You should definately check some others out, maybe some shorter ones, to get a better feel and understanding of the band.
I would recommend:
Afraid Of Sunlight
The Party
Three Minute Boy
Fantastic Place
Sounds That Can't Be Made
Easter
Real Tears For Sale
Living With The Big Lie
Made Again...and not really short
NEVERLAND
They are one of the pioneers of crowdfunding and they let their fans pay for their albums in advance. So they have almost complete artistic freedom and they are able to explore their musical boundaries. Their fans love it.
Frank Feddern I would like to add that they are a completely independent band for those who do not know and a have a huge live catalogue including downloads of recent tours. And they also have fan weekends when they play three nights of special material for fans.
Boom!!! You just gave JP the Greatest playlist of all time 🔥🔥🔥
I felt like you should’ve had the lights off listening to this, at least the beginning, that’s where I am now. And that’s a compliment to the song. I love when a mood can be created so clearly and effectively.
One of my favorite bands ever Marbles a great album to go all the way through Ocean Cloud one of my favorites of all time I'll disagree on length told a story that needed to be that long Just about right If you listen to more Marillion you will find Rothery to one of the great guitarists in the vein/style of Steve Hackett so much expressiveness in his playing I agree with the comment below ...Check out live vids of this song Ocean Cloud and Neverland....all from Marbles Also if you want a really timely song , check out 'Gaza " powerful stuff. I could go on,,,can't say enough about them
Omg I'm so happy right now! This is such an amazing song, from such an underrated band!! I hope you like this as much as I do, and I hope it can convince you to check out their latest album!
Okey I'll start watching now :D
Marbles is such an amazing album, and I'm so happy to hear that you like it! :D I agree that the bass and the keyboards are awesome, but! As you listen to more songs, oh boy, Steve rothery on the guitar will absolutely blow you away. Take my word for it. And they give a way such an amazing live show. I've been to three of their concerts so far, and they make a veey good second after Genesis. Really, amazing. I hope you'll keep listening to them, this is such an amazing band, trust me :) I'm really really happy you arrived at Marillion :D
Ty Thijs!
These songs are written to perform live and are tear jerkers. Wonderful stuff.when I first saw Marillion in 81 and believe you me Script was a towering live album to watch and enjoy. This band evolves ever album release but it’s live when they are unbeatable.
Well done for not shedding a tear Jester!
Steve Hogarth likes to add double meanings and metaphors in his lyrics, and he is very good at it. You can see this song as the story of an actual invisible man, but he wrote it in response to the UK supporting the US during the war on Irak. This is also about living in a crazy violent world where you can’t do anything to change it.
It’s the opener from a double concept-album about the meaning of life, I guess it’s normal to feel a bit lost and confused with this track all alone. The answer is in the last song "Neverland" (spoiler) where you go from "I have become the invisible man" to "At times like these any fool can see your love inside me".
Steve Hogarth and Mark Kelly are huge Massive Attack fans. Andy Gangadeen one of the magical drummers in Massive attack is a good friend of Hogarth and was a member of his solo band.
JP you still have to hear Rothery’s Gilmouresque guitar solos and talking about power notes from the singer don’t worry you will find many phenomenal ones in their discography.
Tcho !
Live version of "Afraid of Sunlight" has great vocals - "I'm already dead, it's a matter of time" - wow!
Hi Justin ! Verry happy you did it ! And I didn't expect it that soon. ;)
Also, I didn't expect you would quote my comment and even say my name ! xD
I'm relieved your only complaint was the "too much build up". For sure, this wasn't the easiest song to start with (please forgive me) and I'm happy you take it that good. But anyway, too late to go back, there's now plenty more to discover, easier, and maybe, you're right, more melodic and less "ambiant only" (you didn't hear anything about what Steve Rothery can do).
I absolutely remember having goosebumps when the last part starts with H singing "But I aaam the invisible man" (especially this Maaaa aaa aaa aaann, with this rough high pitched tone voice coming from nowhere) when I've listen to it the first time. That wasn't my first Marillion attempt, I guess having already been familiar with their music helped.
I personnaly started with the album Anoraknophobia. First song is almost like a pop rock single, straightforward and melodic. Second song was the begining of my love relationship with them : Quartz.
There's a lot of albums, and songs sound very diferent, but always with the Marillion spirit. Buildup, harmonies, melodies. This is the best definition of "progressive" I can get, roller coaster music. My favorite band will still be Genesis, but Marillion is just behind, or at same level, in a different way.
Quick list of songs I recommend :
Easter, Splintering Heart, This Town / The Rakes Progress / 100 Nights, Living with the Big Lie, Runaway, The Great Escape, Gazpacho, Afraid Of Sunlight, King, Estonia, This Strange Engine (must), Interior Lulu (much better live), Quartz, If My Heart Were a Ball It Would Roll Uphill, Ocean Cloud (must), Somewhere Else (much better live), Real Tears for Sale, Sounds That Can't Be Made ... (and many more)
Script was quite a juvenile effort compared to their later work. And yes, the Massive Attack reference is spot on.
Still, it can't be dismissed so easily. There is much to appreciate on "Script..."
Script is the best thing they ever did IMO
Pete Trewavas also plays bass in the band "Transatlantic"... and Roine Stolt plays guitar in "Transatlantic"... Roine Stolt is head of "The Flower Kings"... boom there you have it.. you have to do Flower Kings next :D
Yes!! Transatlantic & The Flower Kings
To me Brave is the H. era masterpiece album. So much great on that one.
Hi Justin,
I recently discovered you in UA-cam, since you reaction of “School” by Supertramp, where you showed good taste in music, trying to listen great details in a song, and I like a lot that; Now, with Marillion you are going to find great music in dozens of songs, albums and the beauty is that all are different, with a deeper meaning about real life; For millions of people around the world, fans or not, Marillion have changed their life, of course mine too. I will follow you bc you give a chance to any kind of music, band and style. Love your work. 👍
I’ve listened to all of The Fish Years of Marillion and a bit of Steve Hogarth Mostly Just Seasons End and Neverland, However this song I loved it first time I’ve heard it and It’s got soo much Emotion to it and I like it and same as you I was surprised
When you are a fan of a band, and familiar with the music, it can become difficult to see past your enthusiasm and anticipate what will catch the ear of the uninitiated or casual listener. This is not a track I would have chosen for someone unfamiliar with Marillion. It's a powerful and atmospheric live experience, but does drag a little in this format. I would have thought the band better served by shorter tracks: The Space, Splintering Heart, King, Out of This World, for example before attempting more epic selections. St Stephen's Basilica is in Budapest, as referenced earlier in the song. It's odd how you become increasingly invisible and irrelevant to the world as you get older. Until you pass away your final days in the hellish netherworld of a care home. It's where you find the Marillion fans who never forgave the band for the departure of Fish more than thirty years ago. They sit hunched in dark corners dribbling tea down the fronts of their cardigans, muttering vaguely about how music can only be called "progressive" if it sounds like it was written and recorded in 1972.
I love the smell of a good Fish-era trashing in the morning.
''it's music Jim, but not as we know it ''. When this album came out I listened to it so much I thought I was going to sicken myself, but I love it even more as the years pass. Side note: This album was album was financed by the fans, and because I joined that cause my name appears in the Deluxe Campaign Edition.
Great selection on of my favorites songs of all time. I was in the front row for this tour in nyc.
The last show in nyc they rearranged the opening to invisible man.
Marillion is incredibly diverse, we have all their albums on a stick in the car and there is no other band that I can listen album after album to, without getting bored.
Marillon live at Royal Albert hall video is Fantastic . I wonder if you ever wrote down any of my suggestions. Lol ✌️😎
I got a feeling you would absolutely dig Marillion - Neverland, in fact I can already picture you looking at the camera during that piece giving us the approval look !
Marillion - Neverland, a must!
I'll get there😄
@@JustJP Marillion - Misplaced Childhood is a concept album that is very much deserving of a full listen, even if you do it off cam, most definitely a top 10 album of all time for me. I rarely say it but that one is a masterpiece from beginning to end.
Hey Justin! Love your channel. I like what you said about starting at the beginning. First song, etc. Well, I have a request. You recently heard Chris Squire's solo album's first song. I recommend hearing Patrick Moraz's first band Mainhorse from 1972. They made only 1 album but it was fantastic and I believe it is right up your alley. All the songs are progressive but have many moods and different motifs. One song may be hard rocking, while the next is jazzy while the next bluesy. All remaining progressive with strong keys from Moraz. I recommend starting (you guessed it) with their FIRST song (appropriately titled) "Introduction". It is really something all lovers of progressive rock and rock in general would probably enjoy! Best wishes!
I was surprised as well. I've heard this band's name off on and on for a long time, but this is the first work I've heard by them. I think your analysis is spot on. It's a song that has no discernible structure in the traditional sense as in verse, chorus and seems to be creating itself as it evolves and develops. The opening REALLY reminded me of the tones of Peter Gabriel's UP album. Its protagonist seems to be aimlessly wandering until the character comes upon that anguished loneliness and everything that is at the heart of it. Very unusual piece. And rather painfully sad. Not something I'll be spinning frequently.
You really should give the song "Estonia" a listen. It's from Marillion's ninth studio album "This Strange Engine" from 1997.
The song is about the cruise ferry disaster when the MS Estonia sank in the Baltic Sea on 28 September 1994, being a wet grave for 852 people.
They just recently released a new album called "With Friends From The Orchestra" where they play some of their best songs together with a string quartet, a flutist and a french horn player. (They recorded it together live in the studio, so not the classical approach where everyone plays their part individually)
And they made an absolutely wonderful version of "Estonia" for the album. There's also an official video of it on YT.
Amazing as always. You will enjoy them live. The space and Go royal Albert hall, Neverland and This strange engine.
Wow, excellent choice! best track on Marble album
:)...Nice to see you enjoying great stuff...You're listening to those in the comments that know the groups intimately. Listen to the experts. I'm not a big Marillion fan but; I see some great comments from people that are; I can't wait to check out their suggestions...Thanks Justin and Thanks youtube...
Not sure if you recognize that you create a forum for the obscure groups like VDGG, Camel, Marillion et al. ...That's a good thing.:)
Prog is all about interesting sounds mixed with melodies created in free form...It lets you grasp the idea of the Artist. The bands create a soundscape as complex as the greatest works of art...It's a lifetime pursuit. It's all "Third Eye" music.
First. Off to work. Listen later.
Many hours later. Good mellow vibe. Reminds me a bit of early Coldplay, especially the repetitive guitar riffs.
Especially enjoyed section at about 10:20 with keyboards. Great guitar solo at 12:30, very Beatle-esque.
Modern Marillion are quite like more ambitious Coldplay - Genie is a good example. And a Beatles influence peeks through every now and then. I think "The Damage" is their version of "Sowing the Seeds of Love" - a Beatles pastiche alternating between a tension-laden verse and an all-out chorus.
Stunned by this one. I listened to the misplaced childhood some months ago and was very not impressed but this one was really brillant, just a little too slow at some moment for me.
Brilliant!
I think you were pretty spot on with your assessment. Also starting with the opening song was a wise choice...I believe you'll really like it. I saw this tour and it was the 1st time I saw Marillion. I came away feeling that Steve Hogarth is amongst the Top 3 frontmen I have seen 'live'. I had to go backwards for '80s Marillion, though I did have and liked 'Missplaced Childhood' (which should be listened to start to fininsh). And for all the Fish fans, I did see him 'live', I believe before I saw Marrilion...He is Great. I do prefer Hogarth.
Epic song of course.
Your reaction of surprise having only heard Script before is just so fitting. Even though you're new to their music, it perfectly mirrors the public perception. After all these years, Marillion continue to be known for the stuff they did in the 80's. Few people realise that they've moved on, and if they do hear more recent Marillion, they're usually very surprised. I know this well, because it happened to me too.
Marbles would be a good album to do in full. Some long-form epics, but also mixed with some shorter songs in less proggy styles (still good). While it's not exactly a concept album, certainly one that circles around a few connected themes. Do it soon please. You know it makes sense.
Now, please listen to to Neverland, The Great Escape and The Space!!!!!!
Masterpiece
Ok best reaction channel.
I love Marillion with Fish on the vocals. Misplaced Childhood and Clutching at Straws are my favourites!
Fish is a shit
Hi Justin, I've been enjoying your reactions (especially Supertramp) and am glad you revisited Marillion.
Please do "Chelsea Monday", I know you'll love it. Pretty please :)
With Fish, Marillion was a generic prog band. Good, but not brilliant. With Hogarth, Marillion became Marillion, with personality. A great band, with more diverse musical elements: electronic, pop, indie and progressive, obviously. The Rotery's guitar playing amazes me. Very emotional playing, just beautiful.
Thanks for react to my favorite band. I can't wait for Neverland. Another suggestion is This Strange Engine from the album with the same title.
This is so great! I would love to see you listen to some Weather Report, really unique band I think you would enjoy!
Focus Studios
Nice, made me think of playing jazz today and request Butterfly by Herbie Hancock. So I did. Thx.
Nice, Butterfly is a classic . That whole Thrust album is killer!
You get a Sub just because, lol. Seriously, this is one of those albums that came around at a the perfect time in my life. It holds a special place. That said, I'm biased haha. So happy to see that you liked this.
Also, as a lifelong fan, I'm so happy hear you talk about the bass. Pete Trewavas is such a musical soul, he indeed keeps the whole thing going with his lines. Check out the transition music in "Goodbye To All That" on their album 'Brave,' they're so good at the "build-up," musically speaking.
Thanks so much Sean!
The Marbles Album is great, especialy when you gut the two disc set with ocean cloud. Remember how they confused an rock audience when on tour with deep purple, and they started their set with the invisible man - well I was there for marillion
Your on the major league of Marillion’s songs. Live, this song is amazing. From them, I suggest Incubus from Fugazi, This Strange Engine or the 3 first songs of Clutching At Straws.
I love Marillion and this song. Your critique of the song lingering is definitely valid, but that makes it a great song to listen to when driving.
I've been slowing getting into Marillion over the past year or so, but I was loathe to make the jump into the Hogarth era. I finally listened to the first two albums, Seasons End and Holiday in Eden. H certainly has the singing chops and there are quite a few really good songs. However, Fish had such a strong personality and interesting style in the early albums that I miss so far with H. I'm not going to give up though. I know there are some better albums to come. I liked this one for a first listen. It gives me hope.
Marillion live are spectacular TBH. Just wondering JP, if you will do some live “critiques”. Marillion would be a perfect start 😀❤️
I like Marillion. They have yet to overwhelm me, but have come close. I have followed them since 1984 or so and seen them live 3 or 4 times. Also Fish solo once. Some of their stuff just puts me to sleep. A nice floaty peaceful sleep.
Subscribed because of Genesis and now Marillion my two favourite bands. Try This Strange Engine and Neverland. Great channel mate
Ty David!
Although I prefer the Fish-era, there is much to appreciate about the Hogarth-era. I really like many of their latter day stuff, and 'Invisible Man' is right up there with my favorites. Misplaced Childhood and Clutching at Straws are my two favorite Marillion albums. I really enjoy marillion.com a lot. It was the album which actually brought me back to the band after I'd given up on them after Holidays in Eden. Holidays in Eden had little to offer. Somewhere Else has lots of nice songs, but seems to put off a lot of people. (Just skip over the dreadfully embarrassing 'The Most Toys' nonsense.)
.
Great reaction, JP! Brew up a cuppa for me!
Agree with suggestions for Misplaced Childhood. You may also want to go back to their earlier album, Fugazi and check out "Incubus" , "Assassing", and the unexpectedly vicious "Punch and Judy"
great song from the later marillion years, try out this strange engine! love the channel
Ty!
Nice reaction Justin, if this had come out in the 70's it would have been very popular in some circles (if you know what I mean).
the songs on clutching at straws are also fantastic if you want to listen to classic marillion
If you liked this, try Gaza, This Strange Engine or The Great Escape. Always try the live versions too. On CD, Marillion are excellent but live, they are on a totally different planet
Interestingly, early Marillion did a side long epic track that felt like a rip off of Suppers Ready. It was called Grendel.
Thanks for your intelligent comments. Well worth digging deeper into Marillion - 19 studio albums and they are still writing intelligent, powerful music... with a line-up that has remained the same since Steve H replaced Fish in 1988!
Ty Andy!
Both eras with Fish or H are good, just different ; although I see a constant backbone of good taste and artistic approach in each and every album they produced. I only see an evolution from the far distant 80's till now, as they - like we do - get older each year. They never really repeat themselves and I like this. When a new Marillion comes up, you just never know what to expect, Sometimes thrown by what you listen to but at the end of the day, you'll love it. There are true gems in both periods and I encourage you to dig deep in their efforts. I'm sure you'll find things that will move you deep.
Ty Alex, I'll keep listening and looking!
I'm a Genesis man, but Misplaced Childhood is probably my favourite album of all time, but after Fish split from the band both Fish and Marillion became a non-entity to me. I've always wondered if I could get back into Marillion but having heard this I don't feel like I'm missing much...
toppledgod listen to Marbles and you will be hooked.
It needs time , you should know that if your into prog
Hello, If you like misplaced childhood you should try a listen to this, you won’t be disapointed :
Neverland :
ua-cam.com/video/rWFuzjqJYpY/v-deo.html
The Space :
ua-cam.com/video/Nm_TcAAySbc/v-deo.html
This strange engine :
ua-cam.com/video/Acosk3NuLuQ/v-deo.html
Season’s end :
ua-cam.com/video/coSNn0cab1o/v-deo.html
If you like, don’t hesitate to ask me if you want other titles to discover.
I'm not a major fan of Marbles. Brave is the Steve H. area release I'd recommend. Give it a try... please.
@@paulschirf9259 I think Afraid of Sunlight is the easily accessible h-era album - that and Anoraknophobia have a good mix of longer, thoughtful and somewhat lighthearted songs.
Marillion is classic.
You have to listen to Easter (album version). One of the greatest guitar solos ever.
Oh you just dont know! Hogarth takes this band to another level! If and when you do listen to "Neverland", almost any live version is recommended. One of the few groups I listen to everyday their still active and relevant! Have a great day J.P.Oh and by the way you'd better check the Weather Report!!!
Ty James! I haven't forgotten WR 😃
I love Marillion. Justin, as soon as you can, do a review of the album Misplaced Childhood, which is without a doubt a masterpiece album. Any Marillion fan will agree that this album is fantastic, the whole album. For everyone who loves the Peter Gabriel era, in Genesis, it's a delight. Hugs.
If you don't know this band already, you should definitely add some Magma on your song list. It's a french band from the 70's making their own-called music genre "Zeuhl", a kind of mix between jazz fusion/prog rock, vocal harmonies and orchestrated sections. Drummer Christian Vander created a special language, "Kobaian" just to feat his musical universe. Coltrane and Elvin Jones are his masters and he is a phenomenal drummer. I suggest you to start with the very first song of their very first album "Kobaia", 10 minutes of a pure musical escape (the live version on UA-cam, Magma - Epok 1 - Kobaia, is even better to appreciate their skills, almost like a trance song). The whole album is a concept about leaving planet Earth to go to Kobaia, a new planet to start a brand new humanity.
Sort of lost it with Marillion after the 3rd album; this gets me to want checking out more of their stuff...
Finally watched your reaction. You made some good points. I like this song but it's not among my favourite Marillo tracks, at least not in the studio version which just sounds a bit too constrained and overproduced. Live, most noticeably, Hogarth's singing is much better, and I have heard a couple of stunning versions.
Nonetheless: Although Marbles is a long album (talking about the 2CD edition, not the single disc which leaves off some of the best songs) and maybe filled with too many slow (and often long) songs, I think it would be worth doing a bit of a deep dive. The fact that "The Damage", "You're Gone" and "Neverland" (the big finale to end all big finales) can peacefully coexist on one record is pretty amazing.
Marillion were big fans of Massive Attack, they were one of the bands influencing their style change over the millennium. The song "House" had the working title "The Massive Attack Song"!
I've tended to interpret the lyric as an out-of-body experience or nightmare (which might make sense with the sudden ending).
The line "I am perfectly sane" (which sort of continues the opening "The world's gone mad") ties into the album title itself and the scattered bits of the title track, where the narrator talks of losing his marbles and maybe going to a psychologist to find them again. It's a somewhat loose concept but a neat one nonetheless.
In case you want to go all-into the album, this is how I'd group the songs:
Marbles I / Genie
Fantastic Place
The Only Unforgivable Thing / Marbles II
Ocean Cloud
Marbles III / The Damage
Don't Hurt Youself
You're Gone / Angelina
Drilling Holes
Marbles IV / Neverland
OK first off I literally laughed out loud at your invisible intro Justin...lol...so...Im a big Marillion fan...they won me over in a live performance some years back. Marillion is subject to the same debate as Genesis (Gabriel vs Collins)..here we have Fish vs Hogarth..and the divide. Im personally in the Hogarth camp..I thought Fish was too similar to Gabriel back in the day. I just love Hogarth's voice and his melodic vocal stylings. That said, I couldn't see myself coming back to this one..it just sounded, to me, like he was struggling to find a melodic hook here, which never came. He moreso just mumbled lyrics in a whispery tone over the music.What puts me off even more is I know how capable this band is of achieving just that.I much prefer stronger melodies ( Season's End.....Easter...The King of Sunset Town...or...back in the Fish days "Sugar Mice in the Rain." On the plus side...very cool sonic textures used here..the beginning actually took me to early 80's Gabriel.Stick with these guys Justin, it will pay off. Cheers from Canada!!
Haha thank you Steve
This song is amazing imo, pretty difficult to get into, though. Maybe that's why you thought it felt too long. I think the length gives it space to grow in a more organic way...
Go for Living With the big Lie (Steven wilson mix is brillian), Drilling Holes or Asylum Satelite. You'll love em!
A lot of Marillion stuff only started to make sense to me after four or five listens, so I'm not surprised a first listen would draw mixed reactions...
I`m sorry to nag you tonight (late nighttime in Norway), but i`m anxiously awaiting any first listen from ELP.... Probably said it before, but i would suggest maybe Knife-Edge, Take a Pebble (debut album) or Tarkus (Tarkus album), to start with. Funnily enough i have great confidence in your future love for ELP, so there`s no point in delaying this eternal high.. You`re welcome to the club!
No worries at all! I plan on getting to Pebble soon🙃 have a great night!
@@JustJP Thanks, you too!
Anyone listen to Fish's solo stuff?
A Feast of Consequence is a good listen. It's a WW1 tribute. A good song to start with of that is Thistle Alley... Others are High Wood, Crucifix Corner and the title track
Not paid much attention but his final (?) album Weltschmerz was praised so much I listened to it and quite liked it.
Ah..... yes!!!! At last ;-) Marbles is one the the three jewels from the Hogarth era (Brave and Afraid of sunlight are the 2 others). You should if you have the courage do the whole album (it's long), but worth the listen. I really recommend you Ocean clouds and Neverland from this album if you can't do the whole thing ;-)
The best songs of this album is "Neverland" and"Ocean Cloud"! 🎧
I agree.
I'm a Marillion man from the days of Fish as the lead singer... This isn't bad but doesn't convince me to go much further.
In that vein, I have been listening to some of the early stuff from Fish's new album and it sounds great. He has come quite a way since Script For a Jesters Tear.
HMMMM - Massive Attack - Go on, give us a "previously heard" reaction from them and tell us why you like it... you know you want to. It's always good to hear them.
Haha, I wouldn't know which song to pick from MA, they have so many great ones
Old marillian guy here never heard this before its real good
Every time I listen to Marillion I get extremely hopeful about them, the beautiful melding of bass and keyboard is amazing. Parts of every Marillion song are the most beautiful thing you can ever hear. Amazing musicianship, but they are just slightly overdramatic for too long, it begins to lose impact for me. Still an amazing listen everytime.
Marillion have such a vast catalogue now that it's difficult to pick a typical song by them, this is far from their most melodic efforts but in places it represents their sound since Hogarth became their singer. For a more straight forward look at them I'd recommend Easter.
I agree with you about this track taking time to develop - the other two longer tracks on this album, "Ocean Cloud" (best Marillion song IMO) and "Neverland" do a better job at it.
I noticed you haven't reacted to any Anathema - I think you would dig their sound from 2010 on.
I hear influence of Porcupine Tree in there. They've had a lot of personnel changes, right? I only got into the album Misplaced Childhood. Well actually personnel difference is only the change in vocalist (Fish).
I would say the other way around.
Together with Pendragon the band I've seen live most. Probably because my wife likes them both as well ;-) I don't like everything they've done but this album was killer for me. Love this song a lot.
From marillion. I recommend you listen out of this world, the great scape, the space.
Great as most of their albums/songs are there's barely one of them that isn't even better live (and I've been fortunate enough to test this theory in person, especially at their conventions where they play 40-50 different songs over 3 nights) but they do at times go on a bit longer than they really need to - but this one doesn't feel that long to me, especially live, and is probably my favourite of their epics. Genie is a great more concise number from the same album, Easter, Afraid of Sunlight and The Great Escape are long-term fan favourites, or for something more upbeat Man of a Thousand Faces is a good fun one from them.
marillion had written very good songs : you can choose to react to these tracks from them : the kin of sunset town - the great escape - easter - happiness is the road - this strange engine - neverland
A song about people in society who become invisible, marriage break up, older people, homeless etc.
Ahh true true
The Hogarth era Marillion goes for an emotional hit as its first priority. Some people don't like the discomfort of feeling anything. Some prog is full of technical virtuosity from the musicians who crank out jaw-dropping instrumental bits within songs that have zero emotional impact. I suppose a sense of wonder at the skills involved is an emotion of sorts, but a fairly shallow one, IMHO. This song depicts the emotional anguish of a man who lost his lover to another man. If you've never had that happen to you, then it might be difficult to connect with the song or understand its purpose.
Despite having as its primary goal an appeal to the hearts of the listeners, Marillion is filled with a group of master musicians who play with restraint within a band whose focus is always the song and not the chance to show off some chops. Hogarth has the best male voice in the business right now, but for some odd reason all of the studio versions downplay his vocal skills, or maybe he just thrives on the presence of a live audience. If you choose to do another Marillion song among the dozens already suggested by other commenters, choose the live version rather than the studio one. Live is always much, much better.
There is a virulent debate ongoing now, and since 1989, instigated by Fish lovers who insist that Fish leaving the band destroyed it completely. It's at least as bad an argument as the "Phil Collins destroyed Genesis" argument that has persisted now for over 40 years. It is probably an accurate assessment that the Fish era is pretty much a different band, based mainly upon Fish's compositional talents. I'm glad you've sampled something from the Hogarth era. Whether one era is better than the other is going to be a matter of personal taste. Fish lived an egotistical, dissolute drug and alcohol riddled personal life, and tended to honestly and brilliantly write about his feelings while living with those personal demons. Hogarth is a much gentler man and more prone to write about rejection from women and similar topics probably more in line with the life experiences of his fans. It's an odd dichotomy and one that might be expected to produce some pronounced feelings when fans of one era trash the tastes of the fans of the other.
At least with the Hogarth era, you can still see the band perform live. You should start saving for your trip to Montreal in 2022 for your first Marillion Weekend experience.
I love every song off of Marbles
It's funny, I just don't get Marillion since Fish left. Hogarth's voice puts me off, and I find the music very generic and amateurish. For a long time, I thought it was just because I loved the Fish era, and wanted them to be the same. But after so many years, I can put that aside, and listen more objectively, but I just can't get into it. As others have said, you definitely should listen to the Misplaced Childhood album next - probably the most iconic Fish-era album - but these days I actually prefer Clutching at Straws, although it's a bit more of a slow-burn album. Anyway, good review as always. Interesting how you ended up saying it went on a little too long... my thoughts exactly! :D
This choice (an excellent choice!) will start the "Marillion Civil War" again. lol I prefer the Fish years but think that "Season's End" was one of their best albums. I also liked "Brave" - everything else AF (After Fish) is bits'n'pieces for me. Not putting it down, just not my thing. Still happy to know that they are still out there though. They deserved to be bigger.
Would recommend: "King Of Sunset Town".
Marillion write songs that twist your emotions on 2 fronts, emotional writing and lyrics that you have to listen to. Try Out of this World about Bluebird and Donald Campbell, you will sob at middle section.
I just wasn't able to get into this tune musically. I kept losing concentration and my mind would wander. Might be my mood, but even after my second listen, the song just dragged. Maybe this song requires lyrics in hand to truly appreciate it.
Justin did you get a chance to see if you knew "American Pie" by Don McLean"? The song is a masterpiece. Besides being a great campfire song, the depth of the lyrics is relative to rock icon from the 50's and 60's and events. Also "Vincent" by DM is another masterpiece in my opinion.
DukesRocks : Big second on Vincent..top 10 greatest songs ever.
Marbles is the best post Fish record next to Brave of course.