MARBLES

First off I have always hated Marillion. I lived in a town in which this boyfriend/girlfriend who never showered and simply used patchuli oil for deoderant (as they were avid pot smokers, (which is okay, not my thing, that' all). Nonetheless, being an audio engineer I gave it a long and had listened to the several (then) cassettes of the band (circa 1992). I tried... but in the end I simply found nothing redeeming in any of the music, but I was never much into "early versions" of bands. I like 70's bands that ended in the 70's, and so on.

I like 80's Yes (that band), over 70's Yes, and can hardly stand the Gabriel era of Genesis, Phil Collins put a non selling band on the map... ironically, I love ALL of Peter Gabriel's solo work. I just think they are 2 different projects. Spocks Beard Neal Morse? Or with Nick on voclas. Nick is a superior vocalist By Far, but damn Neal Morse sure could write and play! When my money is on the counter it will go to the next Spock's Beard with Nick singing, not Neal Morse. - There's the back story.

I back tracked Pete Trewavas from the projects with Mike Portnoy and Neal Morse and their ilk. Then I heard the song "Genie" and was "who the hell is this, this is gorgeous?" Sure enough it was Marillion. I bought the album several months abo and it still gets heavy rotation in my cd changer, hasn't left. I listen to recordings all the way through while doing web design though I am mediocre at it. I was loaned the few albums proceeding up to Marbles, and I just wasn't into it. Maybe it ws because I only had them for a weekend. Not sure... but I am sure that "Marillion - Marbles" is on this audiophiles list of top 50 recordings of all time. Best with headphones, but speakers are fine as well.

I can't believe I am about to say this, but Marbles is a masterpiece.

And for the people who long for days gone past, just "enjoy" the music you like, pass on what you don't. And for the record: I own every Genesis album, every Phil Collins album, every Mike and the Mechanics album, every Ray Wilso album (including his "Stiltskin" cd), every Yes album, every Dream Theater album, every Spock's Beard album. Plus all of the Neo-Proj CDs out there. Also, I am not going to do any rating on any other Marillion album... unless another great one comes out.

These artists are now all on shoe string budgets from CD to CD, cut them some slack, buy the CD you like, pass on the one's you don't... and most of all - simply, enjoy the music.

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