SCHIZOPHRENIC PRAYER

Looking at this new Riverside EP my memories went back to the Fish-era Marillion in the first half of The Eighties, I was stunned by the following similarities: a strong debut album and within a few years embraced by the progheads, a charismatic and emotional singer, a captivating cover art and, last but not least, a serie of EP's/mini-CD's/singles. In those days the record company (EMI) couldn't release too much material but later I felt a bit explored, just as my feelings are now when I notice that this EP (35 minutes) contains 3 songs that can also be found on the 'limited-edition 2-CD' version of the new album Rapid Eye Movement: Schizophrenic Prayer, Behind The Eyelids and the long titletrack. The only new songs are Rainbow Trip (it starts atmospheric, then a tight and hypnotizing rhythm with synthesizer beeps and bleeps and in the end a Floydian inspired guitar solo), a remix of the song Schizophrenic Prayer and a video ('special enhanced cd') of 02 Panic Room. In my opinion a bit disappointing record company strategy ("pecunia non olet") but the Riverside die-hards (like the Fish-era Marillion Freaks) don't mind is my idea when I read about the good sales...