HAPPINESS IS THE ROAD

It's always difficult to talk about Marillion's latest release, because it needs to be listened several times before you understand if you like it or not (anyway this is quite common in prog rock). One of the best things they could do is to add the following advice: "Please DO NOT file this record under Progressive Rock". As the most probably know, really Marillion's music is not ONLY progressive rock, but several influences put together in a wonderful mix full of "good vibrations", touching lyrics and great interpretative power. "Happiness is the Road" is a good double album, but it should be a great single one. Near some very beautiful songs, enriched with the feeling that only Marillion can reach, there are some other of low intensity and importance, sometimes too much low. The two albums are named "Essence" (quite a concept album) and "The Hard Soulder". Every one of them has both its best and meaningless parts.

The album "Essence", after the wonderful intro ("Dreamy Street") rich with pathos, finds its best with the triad starting with "Essence" and ending with "Liquidity" (great newageish atmosphere enriched with psychedelic contribution), after slows down until the title track, quite good, with a touching interpretation by Hogarth, but not more than this.

The album "The Hard Shoulder" has a stunning starting triad. In particular "The Man from Planet Marzipan" has the structure of a mini-suite and is really great. But the sceptre of the best double album track goes to "Asylum Satellite#1", which is pervaded by a mystic atmosphere, mixed with something desperately insane. Wonderful. Then the album sits a little down, passing through the single "Whatever Is wrong with you" which is better than the singles before proposed by Marillion, but in my opinion, under the pass. The last track, "Real Tears For Sale" is a classic Marillion ending track, very good, quite nostalgic.

3.5 Stars, but the half one is for affection and tenderness. Stand straight Marillion!