Back with what is now their 14th album entitled " Somewhere Else ", Marillion are back with an album that is beautifully soulful, powerful and peppered with moments of sheer brilliance. This latest album, released April 9th (Mark Kelly's birthday), will be sure to fall on welcome ears and could well be the catalyst for recognition further a field. Something the band has been long over due!
This middle aged quintet have lost none of their magic over the groups 23 year history, in fact like a fine wine they have nothing but improved with age. With Steve Hogarth firmly in the helm as lead singer, this will mark his 10th album with the band after the exit of Fish in 1988, Marillion's original lead singer. As Marillion have now had their own record label, "Intact Imprint", in place for some time it has meant the band has been able to create some consistently well formulated music.
The album opens with a track called "The Other Half" setting the listener up for an hour of unadulterated bliss. A great musical arrangement , the guitar of Steve Rothery coupled with the drumming of Ian Mosley give the track a Zen like mystical twang and sets the listener on an emotional roller coaster ride.
"See It Like A Baby", is a truly harmonic track, Steve Hogarth's voice pulses and pierces the air with all the familiarity of a Crowed House number. A popular track on the bands Myspace site, it has already racked up over 10,000 plays in the short time it has been available. It seems to be a far more commercial track and definite single fodder.
"Thank you Whoever You Are" is a slower song and again Steve Hogarth shows a good vocal range and use of lyrics across the track. Evident are the gravely undertones of Bon Jovi and Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame over laced by the melodic sounds of Richard Marx and Neil Finn. Handled well in true Marillion style "Thank you whoever you are" reminds the listener that this album has all the qualities that "Marbles" or "Anoraknophobia" had, plus much more.
The first 3 tracks show just how ranging Marillion's songs are for evoking strong melodies and powerful emotions. Most Toys, a far rockier track with 80's styling gives way to " Somewhere Else", and " A Voice from the past ", both slower piano inspired tracks dealing with life, love and its trials and tribulations.
The final track on the album is entitled "Faith" - No not a George Michael cover, but one of Marillion's finest pieces of work ever. An acoustic number which sounds like a union between the musical goliaths of Simon & Garfunkel, Neil young and Eva Cassidy. Its elegance, and emotiveness tugs at your heart strings and in all honesty leaves you with goose bumps and that warm feeling inside. Another "Neverland".
Marrillion will be breaking out with a massive two month UK and European tour in April and fans should not miss out on a chance to see such a talented group in action.
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Words By: Matt Clutton