SEASONS END

Seasons End is the first Marillion album with new singer Steve Hogarth replacing Fish who left to pursue his own musical direction. Much of the material was written whilst Fish was still with the band which ensures some continuity in style.

Fish is a different singer to Hogarth and it is unfair to compare them directly although I think Fish is a superior vocalist.

Overall I find this album very listenable with well-crafted songs although it does take time to adjust to Hogarth after Fish. Seasons End does contain a purpose-written radio single "Hooks in You" which is the weakest track (a standard rock song with little prog interest) but I assume that the record company loved it. Better would have been "The Bell in The Sea" which appears on the bonus CD of the 1997 remaster release.

Highlights are "The Space" (with symphonic keyboard), Easter, Uninvited Guest and Seasons End.

Not quite to the standard of the earlier releases but enough to show that Marillion can survive without Fish.

3.7 stars.