AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT

Existing mostly as an underrated gem in Marillion's back catalogue, 'Afraid of Sunlight' stands as one of the band's greatest statements on rejecting commerciality, as the album explores both the funkier and the more melodramatic side of their musical identity, which at this point we could say has been fully forged. With very intimate and subtle musical passages, intertwined with more upbeat melodies, the band picture a very vivid musical picture that comments on fame (more generally speaking), despite not making a full-blown concept album. The slow build-up towards the masterful cinematic guitar solos of Rothery is explored in a beautiful way on this record, enhancing by all means the prominence of Pete Trewavas, who seems to be embracing an even wider variety of influences (including the Beach Boys!)

Needless to say how intelligently Mark Kelly's keys create a very elegant yet sheltering atmosphere for each composition on here, while the fantastic vocals let the songs take an ever more vivid shape. The album does contain several signature Marillion songs like the title track, 'Beautiful' and 'Out of This World', all of which are among the cornerstones of the band's live shows, too, while other lesser known pieces like 'Gazpacho', 'Beyond You' or 'Cannibal Surf Babe' are no less brilliant and reveal the depth to which Marillion are able to go into when honing the presentation of their songs. The album does feel like a stylistic divergence from 'Brave', which stands as a very expansive, lush, and atmospheric, while 'Afraid of Sunlight' remains a more organic, unhinged, and emotive album. All in all, it is a fantastic journey that can be appreciated easily by a variety of listeners.