SOMEWHERE ELSE

It hasn't been an easy ride with Marillion music -probably for the last decade. Now after spending sometime listening to their latest effort, Somewhere Else, guess it never will be an easy ride. The gloomy is there, the moodiness is there. The slower tempo is there (too slow at most points). Hogarth unsurprisingly sings his heart out on all songs. But something is not quite right, something is misplaced. It's the musicianship that is lacking in most songs. Mind you, they're all undoubtedly great musicians. However, Somewhere Else feels more as a vocals-driven album rather than a music-driven one. Out of ten tracks here, how many times Rothery puts out his killer and soulful solos? Where's Pete's groove? They seem to be more as backup musicians for Hogarth.

The album itself kicks off with the best 2 tracks, "The Other Half" and "See It Like A Baby". The musicianship might be lacking but Hogarth throws in some of his best lyrics here. It is my personal favourite phrase when he sings, "...I am the other half/and you are what I am for/...the other half cannot be parted...". Other Hogarth's penned lyrics on "No Such Thing", "The Wound", or "Faith" are among his best to date. Unfortunately the music was marginally attractive. First few spins without reading the lyrics, it's difficult to get to the end of the journey. The high hopes surrounding the first 2 tracks gradually fades as you're entering the mid-phase of it.

You might need a certain mood to be able to chew it? Yes, sure...but this one is not an easy ride and probably never will. As much as I am happy with Anoraknophobia (2001) and Marbles (2004), Somewhere Else might be as much as somewhere else than anything else of theirs. It is now a question if they're going to stay there or still pushing their boundaries far beyond. I believe it will be the later though. (yd)