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Okay, Brit-Pop is over, isn't it? Yeah, I think, but it still inspired lots of bands to do some kind of British- sounding alt. rock. Marillion with Steve Hogarth on board did take that ride, and in this 1999 album it's very noticeable. Although the band would later release more concise alt. rock-fledged albums like Somewhere Else, Marillion.Com is still a very enjoyable record and a bit more varied and "daring" than future records.

The first seven songs are all different kinds of rock/pop which vary from sentimental ones ('Enlightened') to pure fun songs ('Rich' and 'Deserve'), a moody tune ('Go!') which sounds like something from Radiohead or Porcupine Tree from the same time, and the best one being 'Legacy' which is like the perfect mix of those songs with some cool jamming in the middle and good soloing. All these being very enjoyable and not uninspired as one would think, with typical alt. rock instrumentation of rockin' guitar, solid rhythm section, some piano or keys but nothing too flashy and emotional vocals.

So what's up with the last two tracks? Well, they're rather oddities for this, up to now, alt. rock album. First we got 'Interior Lulu' a 15 minute modern Prog piece with Mark Kelly's synths once again present. Change of paces, extended soloing, instrumental sections, great moods, you name it, it's Prog. But we all know that this is no 'Tarkus' or 'Close to the Edge', not even close, but 'Interior Lulu' doesn't sound anything like those or any other 70s epic, so its still a very good song/epic with a modern vibe and not a retro-ish one (not that I despise the so-called retro prog bands).

Marillion closes this album with another oddity, 'Home', an extremely chilling tune that has nothing to do with the rest of the album, for one that's something bad. Yet, it's a lovely tune with the 90s feel all over it, so I don't give a damn if it doesn't fit the album's style. Not sure why, but I find it to be a very "nocturnal" tune that sets my mind to a tranquil night with all the stars shining on top of me, I repeat, this is lovely. It's not rock, simply a chilling atmosphere with a repeated drum beat, and on top some really fine and smooth guitar, bass, keys and saxophone.

So what is this album? Ah, a very solid album indeed with a bit of incoherence in styles, but the quality of the whole album is great nonetheless. Hard to rate, I'll give it the neutral rating of 3 stars meaning that it's definitely good and enjoyable, though not Prog all through, it's still highly recommended if you like Radiohead, Porcupine Tree and other more popular straight-forward alt. rock bands.

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