MARBLES

I became a Marillion's fan in the time "Anoraknophobia" came out... "Radiation" was my first album from the band. For me is their worst work, but I was catched with this music at the moment...

In the three years between "Anoraknophobia" and "Marbles", I heard the whole Marillion discography. And I saw that for me, "This Strange Engine" was their last great album. These trilogy made for "Radiation", "Marillion.com" and "Anoraknophobia" has its moments, but in comparition with previous efforts... Was not enough for me. But like every new fan from a band, my expectations were huge for the new release... And finally came out, with the name of "Marbles". And what can I say? It was better than I hoped, honestly...

Here we have a new concept for the band, being the marbles the link for this concept... And since the first song, The Invisible Man, you can hear a band with new energies, and ideas. But the best for all... That's pure Marillion (I'm talking of the Hogarth's era, of course). And the album that came to my head in this moment was "Brave". I've always seen a relation between the two albums. Maybe the production, the details, the feeling... And the care and love both albums are made.

And I don't care this album is really progressive or not... That is a thing is not important to me when I'm talking about Marillion. But nevertheless, this album is one of the proggiest from the Hogarth's era. Just hear The Invisible Man, Ocean Cloud, Neverland... Great prog stuff.

Finally, one of the better things from this album, is its variety... That makes this album very interesting to listen (for an open minded listener...), and never boring. From the atmospheric prog of Ocean Cloud, you go to the pop of Don't Hurt Yourself, then you go into the weird rock of Drilling Holes, and you can walk too into the bluesy taste of Angelina, after hearing the typical Marillion in Fantastic Place... I love variety, and this is maybe the most variated Marillion's album. And hering this band making new things like You're Gone with so much naturality and success after so many years in music, just says how good is this band...

Conclusion: the best Marillion's album since "Afraid of Sunlight" in my opinion, and one of the better from the Hogarth's era. Really great stuff... Not every song included here is a classic, but when I hear the whole album, the only thing I can think is... Masterpiece of modern prog rock, without a doubt.