B'SIDES THEMSELVES

"B Sides Themselves" is a compilation of Marillion and was released in 1988. This is a very special compilation of the band. It comprises B sides' tracks taken from several singles released by Marillion. It represents the first time that all those B sides' tracks were made available on the compact disc format, put all together on only one single CD.

The musicians that participated on this compilation are Fish (vocals), Steve Rothery (guitars), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Pete Trewavas (bass), Mick Pointer (drums), John Marter (drums) and Ian Mosley (drums). The presence of three drummers was due to changes inside the band. Pointer only participated on their debut studio album "Script For A Jester's Tear". He left Marillion to found Arena and he is, till now, Arena's current drummer. John Marter was one of the transition drummers who passed through the band in 1983, between Pointer and Mosley. He participated only on a few Marillion's songs. Mosley entered to the band in 1984 to replace Pointer he still is member of Marillion in these days.

"B'Sides Themselves" has nine tracks. The first track "Grendel" was originally released on their debut EP "Market Square Heroes", in 1982, and it was the B side of that EP. It's an epic and complex track, one of the best tracks of the band and is one of their most progressive too. This composition is usually compared (mostly unfavourably), with "Supper's Ready" of Genesis. The second track "Charting The Single" was released on their single "He Knows You Know", in 1983, and it was the B side of Marillion's second single. It was released from their debut studio album "Script For A Jester's Tear". As the B side of the single, it isn't really a great track. Still, it remains a redundant piece that testimony the great beginning of this great neo-prog band. The third track "Market Square Heroes" was originally released on their debut EP "Market Square Heroes". It was the first song of the A side. It was also originally released as the A side of their debut single with the same name, released in 1982 too. It was also released as the first song of the B side of their single "Punch And Judy", in 1984. This is the version on this compilation. It's a pleasant song with a great melody. Despite is a bit commercial and be not a very progressive track, it's a compelling track that shows their superior songwritting skills. The fourth track "Three Boats Down From The Candy" was originally released on their debut EP "Market Square Heroes". It was the second song of the A side. It was also originally released as the B side of their debut single with the same name. It was released as the second song of the B side of their single "Punch And Judy", in 1984 too. On this compilation we have an alternative version. This is an intricate song, where all band's members display their technical skills. The fifth track "Cinderella Search" was released on their single "Assassing", in 1984 and it was the B side of that Marillion's single. It was released from their second studio album "Fugazi". It remains as one of my preferred songs from the "Fugazzi" sessions, though not featured on the original album. The sixth track "Lady Nina" was released on their single "Kayleigh", in 1985 and it was the B side of that Marillion's single, which was released from their third studio album "Misplaced Childhood". It was also released as a separated single in U.S.A., in 1986, and it was the A side of that single. Possibly one of the the poppiest tracks the band got, which means the hook is huge, and even when the lyrics get flowery they still work in the context. The seventh track "Freaks" was released on their single "Lavender", in 1985 and it was the B side of that Marillion's single. It was released on their third studio album "Misplaced Childhood". It was also released as a separated single in 1988. I like this track. The non-album "Freaks" is much more than the ticket. This is really a fun Fish's romp. The eighth track "Tux On" was released on their single "Sugar Mice", in 1987 and it was the B side of that Marillion's single. It was released from their fourth studio album "Clutching At Straws". This is a very dark toned song, in the same vein of "Clutching At Straws", which count it among one of the finest non-album tracks of Marillion. The ninth track "Margaret" is a live version of a song recorded on Edinburgh Playhouse and was released as the B side of their single "Garden Party", in 1983. It was released from their debut studio album "Script For A Jester's Tear". This is a good track and represents of how dynamic the band live performance was in Fish's era. It's a track that would have been out of place on the album, but it still has its own charm.

Conclusion: Before the re-released Marillion's entire discography in the 90's, "B Sides Themselves" was a great source for fans of the band, especially for the fans of Fish's era, to pursued so many rarities on only one release. Here we have a selection of many great songs on only one album, which were never released on any studio album of the band. We can say this compilation is a great addition to band's music in Fish's era. So, "B Sides Themselves" is, in my humble opinion, a good compilation from Marillion. The sound quality of some songs is good and of others is only reasonable. But, in general, its sound quality is acceptable. So, "B Sides Themselves" is a nice worthy purchase and is, without any doubt, highly recommended for all who want to have a good and complete progressive rock discography.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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