MISPLACED CHILDHOOD

Marillion

Neo-Prog

4.27 | 2428 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

I hesitate between 2 and 3 stars. But the main point is that this album has been a disappointment for me. That was my personnal feeling, so let's try to be objective :

This album is a whole story. That gives at first interesting lyrics to listen to.

The first track is a good opener, it sets up a sad mood and a particular sound.

It melts beautifully into the second track "Kayleigh", but after a few seconds all you get is an unoriginal pop song (like in Phil collins solo work I would say) with bad lyrics ("Do you remember blablabla, can we be together again blabla", a caricature of a love song - was that aimed ?). Very effective and catchy, but it breaks the magic of the (short) first track.

Fortunately the two following tracks are better, although the beginning of "Lavender" can make fear the worse. But there is something strong in this song, maybe due to the singing and the rhythmic arrangements, not forgetting the beautiful melody (some might find it too catchy and poppy once again). The theme of this song is taken back in the end of the solid "Bitter Suite" after a strange introduction with spoken words.

"Heart of Lothian" is quite good too, except for the uninspired intro. But we have at last something original and beautiful when it progresses to the "hard" part. "Waterhole (Expresso bongo)" has an interesting rhythm.

The following is difficult to appreciate, it consists in different songs joined together awkwardly without direction : "Waterhole" suddenly changes into "Lords of the backstage" then into "Blind curve" and nothing is being built. "Blind curve" would have been much better cut in different more developed parts, the last one being the best.

This heavy and tiring part (turn that echo on the drums and guitar off !) changes into something lighter (too light ?) that reminds "Kayleigh" but with an interesting fast rhythmed and synth-driven ending that suddenly collapses on something awful called "White feather". Very disappointing ending in fade-out.

Maybe with less effects on the instruments this would have sounded better. Only 3-4 good passages, but too short and drowned in the rest ! Lack of diversity (but if you like this atmosphere and this sound you won't bother). To finish on a good point, the story and singing bring some emotions from time to time.

Flyingbebert | 2/5 | 2005-9-9

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