MARKET SQUARE HEROES

This EP is Marillion's first offering to the world and the 2nd I heard from them (after Script). There are two tracks on side one - the rather aggressive Market Square Heroes and Three boats down from the Candy. I always found the latter more interesting because of its eerie, menacing atmosphere. If anything this track is a foreboding of the thing that comes on side two. But in fact there is no real preparation for GRENDEL. I consider this to be Marillion's absolute masterpiece. If you know the story of Grendel - or Beowulf respectively - this track leads you straight into Scandinavia around 500 A.D. and you can follow the separate stages of the story of Grendel's nightmarish returns to the King's hall. Fish is delivering some great lines - like the humble but effective Hounds freeze on sounds or Panic seeps through bloodstained floors. The reviewers comparing this most dramatic of all conceptual pieces with Supper's ready simply miss the point. Different story- different mood - different distance to the events. Gabriel's lyrics in Supper's ready are rather abstract - and that's exactly what Fish is trying to avoid. You get to watch everything as if you were close by - so let the blood flow. 5 stars for Grendel, 3.5 for the other two songs = 4 stars.

In all probability you won't find the EP for sale anywhere - if collect B'sides Themselves, there you will find Grendel and Three boats down from the Candy. Since the live version of Market Square Heroes eclipses the one on the EP, seek out Real to Reel.