THE BEST OF MARILLION

To release a genuine Marillion compilation in 1996 is, IMHHO (in my humble and HONEST opinion) really out of sync and can only be justified by the fact that Mark II has never been able to satisfy the hords of fans that were following Fish and his mates during the glorious days of the band (how much I missed those ones...).

Most of the compilations in rock music are not always top notch and this one suffer in a way of the same diseases (regarding the quality of the material available). Their absolute masterpiece was their debut album (which was more symph than neo, as far as I am concerned). It is only represented by two songs ("Garden Party" and "Chelsea Monday"). In terms of "Best Of", it was not an easy album to select from : each track was excellent. I guess that "Party" made it because of its commercial flavour and its very funny video clip. "The Script" was probably more appropriate. Anyway this slightly different version is a very good number, so let's not complain too much.

Still, another complain of mine : the track presentation. Absolutely no logic in here. Starting with "Kayleigh" and ending with "Chelsea Monday"...

Each song featured on this compilation is very good to excellent but a great song as "White Russian" (from "Clutching") should have been integrated here as well.

For the ones of you who would like to discover the most commercial side of the genuine Marillion, I can only strongly recommend this compilation. I would have rated even higher if the considerations I have mentioned would have been taken into account. Four stars.

Review Nº 304

"The Best Of Marillion" is a compilation album of Marillion and was released in 1996. This is a compilation album with songs which were only taken from Marillion in Fish's era. But, one of the most interesting points of it, is that it has songs performed by their two drummers, their founder drummer Mick Pointer and their current drummer Ian Mosley.

"The Best Of Marillion" has fourteen tracks. The first track "Kayleigh" was released on "Misplaced Childhood". It was also released as the A side of Marillon's single "Kayleigh" with "Lady Nina" as the B side. It was released as a single to the US market with "Kayleigh" as the A side and "Heart Of Lothian" as the B side of it. A 12" version was also released with an extended version of "Kayleigh" as the A side and with an extended version of "Lady Nina" as the B side. This is, maybe, the most recognizable Marillion's tune. This is perhaps one of their most accessible tracks too. The second track "Market Square Heroes" was originally released on "Market Square Heroes" as the A side. It was also released as the A side of their first single. It was also released as the B side of their single "Punch And Judy". It's a pleasant song with great melody. Still, it's a bit commercial and not very progressive. It's a compelling track that shows their superior songwritting skills. The third track "Freaks" was released on their single "Lavender" as the B side. It was released on "Misplaced Childhood". It was also released as a separated single. I like this track. The non- album "Freaks" is much more than the ticket. It's really a fun Fish's romp. This is the single version. The fourth track "Garden Party" was released on "Script For A Jester's Tear". It was also released as the A side of the single "Garden Party" with "Margaret" as the B side. The lyrics are fantastic, very satiric, and represent one of the best Fish's lyrical performances. This song reminds me the style of Peter Gabriel. This is the '92 remixed version. The fifth track "Warm Wet Circles" was released on "Clutching At Straws". It was also released as a 7" single and 7" picture disc with "Warm Wet Circles" as the A side and a live version of "White Russian" as the B side. This is a nice track opened with soft guitar fills. It's easily an accessible track. This is the single version. The sixth track "Fugazi" was released on "Fugazi". This is one of their most brilliant epics. It's a fantastic track with great mood and a melody that changes all over the song. The seventh track "Heart Of Lothian" was released on "Misplaced Childhood". It was also released as the A side of their single "Heart Of Lothian" with a live version of "Chelsea Monday" as the B side. It's a catchy track. This song has cohesive keyboards and drums, catchy guitar riffs and strong bass playing with a Fish's dramatic voice. The eighth track "Assassing" was released on "Fugazi". It was also released as the A side of their single "Assassing" with "Cinderella Search" as the B side. The track is energetic and uplifting. It has a beautiful interlude with some dynamic drumming and percussion. The ninth track "Incommunicado" was released on "Clutching At Straws". It was also released as the A side of their single "Incommunicado" with "Going Under" as the B side. It's an upbeat rocker of a tune led by fun synthesizers and good chorus led by Fish. The tenth track "Lavender" was released on "Misplaced Childhood". It was also released as the A side of the single "Lavender" with "Freaks" as the B side. A 12" version was also released with "Lavender Blue" as the A side and "Freaks" and "Lavender" as the B side. It features beautiful lyrics, vocals and some great musicianship. This is a ballad track, albeit short. The eleventh track "That Time Of The Night" was released on "Clutching At Straws". It's probably one the strongest tracks on that album. It sounds fantastic when the keys come in. I like the tone of Fish's vocals as well as the guitar melodies. The twelfth track "Punch And Judy" was released on "Fugazi". It was also released as the A side of the single "Punch And Judy" with the edited re-recorded versions of "Market Square Heroes" and "Three Boats Down From The Candy" as the B side. It was also released as a 12" version with "Punch And Judy" as the A side and "Market Square Heroes" and "Three Boats Down From The Candy" as the B side. It's a great track that features everything that's great on Marillion's songs. It has catchy riffs and melodies and the typical sound of Fish. The thirteenth track "Sugar Mice" was released on "Clutching At Straws". It was also released on the single "Sugar Mice". It was the A side of the single with "Tux On" as the B side. It's a nice mellow track, very emotional but with very sad lyrics. I alwys loved it. The fourteenth track "Chelsea Monday" was released on "Script For A Jester's Tear". This is a very mellow track with a very reach musical ambience and with very deep lyrics too. This track almost makes us cry.

Conclusion: "The Best Of Marillion" is one of the best compilations made by Marillion in Fish's era. This is a very well representative compilation of the band comprising all that musical period. All their four studio albums are represented here with several songs and even their debut EP "Market Square Heroes" is also represented with the title track. The only negative point of this compilation is the non inclusion of their great epic "Grendel". So, if you are a newbie in Marillions's music in Fish's era, this is the right compilation to purchase. Still, it can never substitute the original works.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)