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The Marillion Round Table |
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Eetu Pellonpaa 
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Honorary Collaborator Joined: June 17 2005 Location: Finland Status: Offline Points: 4828 |
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 Posted: October 23 2009 at 14:02 |
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I arranged myself an interesting way of getting to know this band. They are a famous name, but so far I have not heard any of their music (!), or at least knew that they are the performers if the band's music had been playing. They have a gig here in Helsinki soon, and as I had some money + a vacant day then, I thought let's give them a "personal face to face change" to convince me that their music is good!
 I'm optimistic about this, ears and mind open. Thought first if I should listen a little first, but then I would ruin this concept.
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lazland
Prog Reviewer 
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13636 |
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Posted: October 25 2009 at 15:01 |
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As I sit at the PC, having completed my completely boring, but very necessary, admin for the business, I have completed my second listen to L=M, and now This Strange Engine is absolutely blasting out of the speakers, to a ridiculous degree.
Whatever else L=M has done, it has inspired me to listen to, and really enjoy, some of the band's music which I haven't listened to in some time. On the way to work tomorrow, Anoracknophobia & Marillion.com are poised on the MP3 player. Let's all be honest with each other, this band simply do not do bad music. Very happy tonight with my musical and spiritual inspiration  |
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
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progkidjoel
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Joined: March 02 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 19643 |
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Posted: October 26 2009 at 03:31 |
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I thought L=M was a good effort, but the thing I can't stand about it is the fact that the lyrics rarely suit the new music, and this really drags down the whole experience for me. If it was an album of all new tracks, I think I'd enjoy it a lot more, but as it stands, I can't really get into it. TSE is still the band's best album for me. Title track is the best thing they've EVER released 
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akajazzman
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Joined: January 13 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Status: Offline Points: 124 |
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Posted: October 30 2009 at 22:58 |
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I'm a moderate fan, and have albums from both periods. As big huge Prog fan, I still have to say that I prefer the post-Fish period the most. Brave and Marbles are just two examples of Marillion CDs that I just LOVE. Play them all the time. Sure they may not be as Prog as the Fish era, but similar to Porcupine Tree, they bring progressive music, or music somewhat influenced by Prog, into the modern era. I realize Marillion are a pretty big band in UK. But its frustrating that they're not held in higher regard among the masses. They should be considered as current and cool as a Porcupine Tree, Coldplay, or Radiohead, yet the silly album covers of the 80s hold them back. I have friends who won't take them serious because they assume Marillion are some wannabe missed the boat Genesis tribute band. Yet those of us in the know, know just what a dynamic and vibrant band they continue to be. I for one am glad Marillion is still around and still with the times.
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lazland
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Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13636 |
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Posted: October 31 2009 at 09:30 |
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Hey akajazzman, welcome to the forum and this great thread especially. The quote above is one of the best summaries of this band that I have ever seen. I don't worry too much about it any more, though, given that those in the know number many people, and the band are still thriving as a cottage industry of their own |
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
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akajazzman
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Joined: January 13 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Status: Offline Points: 124 |
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Posted: October 31 2009 at 13:42 |
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Hey thanks Lazland! I stumbled across ProgArchives earlier this year, after I had really started getting back into Prog big time (never let it get away completely, but after 30 years of exploring most other genres, I've decided Prog is the best for me). I was amazed at the quality of writing and insight the users of this board bring to the discussion. After years of reading the regular magazines, books, etc, and seeing how the average writer/critic usually just doesn't get it, I land here and its like Wow. The writing is often as good/better than the "pros" and always more insightful and clued into the real value of Prog. But back to Marillion. Back in the 80s, I had a couple of their 80s albums, and they were great. But one thing I wanted to "discover" on my latest Prog sojourn, in addition to collecting tons of classic prog that I missed the first/second time around, and neo Prog, was bands that were making more modern updated Progressive Rock. Stuff like Mars Volta, Anathema, The Dear Hunter, Tool, Porcupine Tree, Radiohead, Coheed and So when I got my first post Fish Marillion I really wasn’t expecting/hoping for much beyond some enjoyable neo-Prog! “Afraid of the Sunlight” was the first one I got, and loved it. But I thought it was a fluke or something. Nope. Sure some they can be a little inconsistent, but what 30 year old band isn’t? Moreover, I think Marbles is my favorite of all the Marillion albums. And its like 4 years old! I just love that. That they’re still going so strong. Sure its not classic or neo Prog Rock, but it does a different service. They’ve shown people that a Prog band can stay current and keep pace in quality with any young upstart, and still not “sell out” their roots or core fans. For example, Brave still has many of the milestone conceptual and structural elements of a great Prog album. Yeah, discovering that Marillion are not only still going, but going strong, and showing the kids how it can really be done, has got to be one of the most exciting discoveries of my year’s re-focus on Prog. |
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progkidjoel
Prog Reviewer
Joined: March 02 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 19643 |
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Posted: November 01 2009 at 03:15 |
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Evening gents!
Thought I'd post this amazing short video of Pete ripping it up on bass. Absolutely great! |
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13636 |
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Posted: November 01 2009 at 14:14 |
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Thanks Joel - amazing on bass as ever.
Looking at Akajazzman's last post, I think we should have a serious discussion about Marbles, which is long overdue. I am clear. The single CD represents, to me, the ultimate prog work of the last 20 years. To see it performed live merely strengthens that view, merely look at Hogarth acting out Invisible Man & Neverland to see that there is not a great deal of difference between this and Gabriel in the 70's. Fantastic Place has, to these ears, one of the most glorious and urgent guitar solos ever written, and the whole work is a seamless whole of intense, beautiful music. Thoughts everyone? |
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progkidjoel
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Joined: March 02 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 19643 |
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Posted: November 01 2009 at 23:46 |
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Marbles is probably my favourite Marillion album with Brave and This Strange Engine now... The thing I can't believe about MARBLES is the perfection of the flow of the concept! Its truly brilliant, and even though the tracks are incredibly diverse, they all keep the same atmosphere and vibe throughout.
I'd rank Ocean Cloud as the second best thing the band has ever done, only slightly behind This Strange Engine. Angelina is my favourite track from the whole package, but they're all magical. For some reason, Fantastic Place doesn't seem to click with me as much as it does with some other listeners/lovers of the album, although its still... Fantastic  
I also love the MARBLES interludes, and the way they all differ, yet all add massive significance to the album. Lazland, you said you only have the single CD edition? I can't more than recommend grabbing a copy of the 2CD. You get 4 more tracks, all of which are pure brilliance. It seems like a more complete package to me, and I'd say its definitely a worthy investment. I can see why its rated higher than BRAVE currently, but I also think that it owes to it's easier listenability, IE, its much better introduction material to the band. At its core, I think its perfection owes to the comparative simpleness - It's easier to pick up, and appreciate right from the first listen, whereas Brave takes quite a while to get into or understand. Just my two cents  And I agree that its about time we had this chat
-Joel |
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lazland
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Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13636 |
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Posted: November 02 2009 at 11:37 |
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Thanks Joel, and you are quite right. Why did I never get the 2 CD version? Probably sheer laziness, but a great big
 to myself for this.I will remedy this by the end of the year, as priorities this month are Transatlantic & Hackett's new albums. You are absolutely spot on in your reasoning for the higher rating for Marbles over Brave. Both are supreme examples of the best of modern prog, but Brave is certainly a mighty difficult listen until, finally, after a lot of listens, something just clicks into place and you marvel at the genius of it all. However, in terms of pure emotion, Marbles definitely has it all. From dark and moody Angelina, to bright and incredible Fantastic place, via two of the finest epics ever to hit my player, Invisible Man & Neverland. The glue holding it all together is, to these ears, Rothery - he has never played better than on this album, and I absolutely do not say this to denigrate the others, they all play superbly, but the solos on this simply take the breath away. |
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
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progkidjoel
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Joined: March 02 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 19643 |
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Posted: November 03 2009 at 04:48 |
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I definitely agree Lazland - One thing that I find Marbles doesn't share with Brave is also the diversity of moods and emotions... I can wack on Marbles no matter how I'm feeling, although I only really feel like listening to Brave 1/5 times.
The solos are indeed brilliant - The one thing I love about Rothery is how he can play such brilliant melodies and harmonies, and can rip it up with a truly inspiring solo. The way he plays is so incredibly difficult to describe. Its just perfect! The vocals are also probably at their peak for me. Another thing I'd like to add is some massive appreciation for The Invisible Man - Its only a 12 minute track, but it has one of the best developed concepts I've ever imagined. It really does feel like an album compressed, but at the same time, it seems like it runs for WAY more than 12 minutes! |
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kenmartree
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Joined: October 14 2007 Location: oregon Status: Offline Points: 356 |
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Posted: November 09 2009 at 09:17 |
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yes about time we had this marbles discussion. I think that in addition to being a easier listen than Brave, as you have mentioned, the subject matter is a tad more....uplifting.
At the time I got the 1 disc version, I didn't even realize the double existed. My way of remeding the situation was to buy the somewhere in london dvd, Live these songs come to life even more through H's acting out the story. He is so expressive that he can use the subtle as well as dramatic to great effectiveness, for example in Ocean Cloud when he sings, " the years have been unkind, but kind enough." the facial expression speaks volumes about the attitude of the character H is protraying.
the 3 epics are my favorites but the whole albums flows together in a way that listening to only a few songs feels incomplete, only a very few albums do this for me, the best being The Lamb.
Joel, Just a hunch but I think possibly your age may effect your emotional ' click' with Fantastic Place could be due to your age. I don't intend this as a slight, in fact I've been very impressed by your wisdom beyond your years. However I think Fantastic Place speaks to an emotion of escape and release that comes from years of struggle in relationship and making it in the world that you get after a couple of decades in those worlds. H and I are less than a month apart in age, so we experience life's changes in perspective together.
I could go on and on about Marbles, I think it is their masterpiece even more than Brave.
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lazland
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Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13636 |
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Posted: November 10 2009 at 14:04 |
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Hi Kenmartree. I'm not far off that age myself, and you are definitely spot on as regards Fantastic Place. Whilst we marvel, rightly, at that sublime Rothery solo in the middle, the sheer intensity and emotion of Hogarth's lyrics cannot be emphasised enough - the sense of sheer abandon, release, and when he speaks of the "world upon your shoulder", I think we can all empathise.
This is where Marbles, Brave, and the bulk of the H era work sets him apart from Fish. As much as I like the big guy, in the main, he has never, with the exception of 13th Star which was written in the aftermath of another huge breakup, come close to the emotion of Hogarth lyrically. Controversial, I know, but that is my honest opinion. Fish could never have written that album, and the world would have been a much poorer place without it. |
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
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progkidjoel
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Joined: March 02 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 19643 |
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Posted: November 11 2009 at 01:07 |
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One thing I find about FISH's lyrics is, as wordy and genuine as they are, the emotion sometimes comes off as being forced.
H's always seem super natural... I can't think of a song where H comes off as forcing the feelings. Another thing about the band with H, is that they seem like more of a band. For example, take the Recital Of The Script concert. The whole thing is centered around FISH - The cameras nearly always show him, even in the instrumental sections. None of the other guys really get into the camera's view, and when they do, its only for a second. Even the guitar solos are left unfilmed 
H on the other hand, has really made the group more cohesive and tighter than ever before, and they're all the better for it. One thing that both Brave and Marbles have in common is the way they sound - You can tell there is a full commitment and input from everyone, and the LP's are much better due to this team work. Kenmartree, I think that makes sense. The song talks about wanting to get away from everyday hassles and problems, which is something I can only really relate to on a minority basis outside of petty things. Another great thing is that the band really does keep evolving - Every album is distinctly different, and even on some of their lower shelf records, they've still got an absolutely brilliant track or two! |
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Thkasabrk
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Joined: November 12 2009 Status: Offline Points: 41 |
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Posted: November 12 2009 at 22:45 |
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I got into them because I had heard that they sounded like Genesis and thought I'd see for myself. Definite similarities in Fish's vocals to Gabriel's, but Marillion had a sound all their own. I saw them in '87 and I am happy to see them releasing their older material (Loreley, etc.) I also find Fish's vocals very emotional and heartfelt...he lives his songs!
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progkidjoel
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Posted: November 15 2009 at 01:53 |
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He really does - Marillion are perhaps the most emotively perfect live band I've ever heard. My dad finds it hard to get into FISH era Marillion due to the Genesis similarities, but I just take them as they are - A brilliant prog band, regardless of their influences. Welcome to the forums! -Joel
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kenmartree
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Joined: October 14 2007 Location: oregon Status: Offline Points: 356 |
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Posted: November 16 2009 at 17:04 |
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So now we've had the Marbles discussion, though I would not be adverse to a song by song discussion, the reality of having to type everything and have to wait to hear responses... I plan on making the next convention so I hope to have an in person round table. Sure I will meet Eric there, as most of you know he is taking a leave of absence from PA. Nice that all of you have kept the tread going.
It has been a year ( or a little more) since Happiness is the Road was released. Now that it has had time to sink in what does everyone think. I was disapointted with SE with the exception of the title track. so for me it was a return to form. I prefer Essence to the Hard Shoulder but they both have excellent tracks. I'll comment more after the rest of you chime in.
Kenmar
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Thkasabrk
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Posted: November 16 2009 at 23:39 |
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Thank you...great to be here.
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lazland
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Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13636 |
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Posted: November 24 2009 at 15:52 |
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I'm back on the forum after an unenforced absence owing to far too much work  But, Kenmar, you are right. SE was a huge disapointment, and HITR a massive return to form. I enjoy both CDs equally, although Real Tears for Sale simply has to be amongst the top five tracks by the band ever. BTW - I miss Eric  |
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
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progkidjoel
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Posted: November 24 2009 at 16:15 |
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Good to see you again Lazland
And I miss Eric too
Asylum Sattelite #1 is my favourite track, with State Of Mind coming in close. HITR is a very good album, and its quite an odd one for me - I find that the tracks are all incredibly representative of Marillion's whole career... Some of the proggiest and some of the poppest. I really love it, and it still hasn't gotten old for me. |
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lazland wrote: