PA's Battle to Stardom A1: Marillion v. Mahavishnu

Could never really get into Marillion, though I tried.  MO easily for me.

I've listening to MO for 3 years, and didn't listen to much Marillion yet.

Mahavishnu because of all their Marillion owning powers.

tough choice. both are somewhat on the fringes of my interest in prog, so i don't feel strongly inclined in either direction. MO is technically better, but in terms of songwriting and sound, I think I like Marillion more (mostly where they sound similar to genesis, esp misplaced childhood), although i don't really like their lyrics. I guess i'll go with Marillion, but on another day I might easily go with MO.

Edited by listen - August 31 2008 at 04:14

Marillion. I like Mahavishnu Orchestra, but their are better fusion bands out there (Miles Davies circa Bitches Brew for one).

The Mahavishnu Orchestra takes my vote. *formats up*

Marillion
Albums owned: Script For A Jester's Tear (3), Clutching At Straws (4) (heard a couple of other bits and bobs)
General opinion of band: *** (3/5, good)

The Mahavishnu Orchestra
Albums owned: The Inner Mounting Flame (4), Birds Of Fire (5), Apocalypse (4)
General opinion of band: **** (4/5, excellent)

Essentially, I find Marillion a bit prone to weaknesses and moments that I don't like, which in turn reduces my enjoyment of the large swathes that I do like. TMO's musicianship is stunning every time, even if I'm sometimes picky about my instrumentals. I'd consider TMO one of the best and most emotive jazzy/musicianship-based bands that I've heard, while I wouldn't say that Marillion is one of the best songwriting-based ones.

marillion. one of my all-time favourites.

I cant vote since I HAVE NOT HEARD both bands full output.Hope ELP wins this contest

One blew me away; the other is okay.  Mahavishnu Orchestra for me.  They hardly compare, really.  I actually grew to like Marillion rather more, but it never had the effect on me that MO did.  They are so different -- one is more melodic rock, the other is something very different.

I have a suggestion for these polls since there are only two bands to choose from (especially worthwhile when one gets into the lesser-known bands). Provide links to music samples for those who don't know both or either, and make it a condition that people only vote after familiarising themselves with both (so people can vote based on the links to music).  I don't know how others feel, but the best thing about polls for me is discovering new to me music.  And a different poll question, rather than favourite, this time round might be interesting since otherwise it's, well, trodding the same kind of territory, and might elicit more thoughtful responses, as well as demand a certain level of familiarity with the music.  For instance: Which of these bands do you feel progressed rock more/ is more progressive? Maybe not that question for apples and oranges ones....

So here's a MO myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=53939978

And here's Marillion's official myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/marillion">http://www.myspace.com/marillion

Some youtube live videos (often feel that "live" performance are a great way to judge a band).

An MO one: YouTube - Mahavishnu Orchestra: One Word
Marillion: YouTube - Marillion : Neverland (Live)

Edited by Logan - August 31 2008 at 14:07

Logan wrote: One blew me away; the other is okay.  Mahavishnu Orchestra for me.  They hardly compare, really.  I actually grew to like Marillion rather more, but it never had the effect on me that MO did.  They are so different -- one is more melodic rock, the other is something very different. I have a suggestion for these polls since there are only two bands to choose from (especially worthwhile when one gets into the lesser-known bands). Provide links to music samples for those who don't know both or either, and make it a condition that people only vote after familiarising themselves with both (so people can vote based on the links to music).  I don't know how others feel, but the best thing about polls for me is discovering new to me music.  And a different poll question, rather than favourite, this time round might be interesting since otherwise it's, well, trodding the same kind of territory, and might elicit more thoughtful responses, as well as demand a certain level of familiarity with the music.  For instance: Which of these bands do you feel progressed rock more/ is more progressive? Maybe not that question for apples and oranges ones.... So here's a MO myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=53939978 And here's Marillion's official myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/marillion">http://www.myspace.com/marillion Some youtube live videos (often feel that "live" performance are a great way to judge a band). An MO one: YouTube - Mahavishnu Orchestra: One Word Marillion: YouTube - Marillion : Neverland (Live)

Thanks for the reply, Logan. I anticipated that you'd reply to this thread.

The link to band pages is a very good idea. I'll definitely at least link to the PA pages so that if someone is unfamiliar with a band they can just click the link and at least retrieve some information as quickly as possible.

Your question change is definitely a good thought as well... but since I selected 32 bands and randomly hooked them up this time (rather than spending time to rank them), I think the polls end up being much more of "apples vs. oranges"... It would make a question of "progressiveness" extremely hard to answer most of the time. I'm going to stick with the "prefer" question, but this certainly has sparked ideas for further non-related polls of mine in the future (not in tournament style).

I extremely appreciated your thoughts about half a year ago and this is no exception.


Edited by MovingPictures07 - August 31 2008 at 14:15