AN HOUR BEFORE IT'S DARK

A disappointment. Mediocre. Maybe it's because I'm getting older and my memory goes back a bit too far, but this album seems nothing more than bits and pieces of other older Marillion albums, and not the better ones. Perhaps they intend to have more of a "pop" feel to it, because that's what sells records. Or perhaps Rothery and Kelly have put more effort into their solo projects, leaving fewer original ideas for the main. I would put this on the level of Radiation, or Anoraknophobia (Anorak minus the song Fruit of the Wild Rose).

When the OP said this contains many recycled riffs, I resisted that description at first; but now, however, after many listening sessions I now must agree ? the album clearly lacks something where originality is concerned. There is more than just recycled material, but not much more. Three stars.