THE SINGLES '82 - 88'

"The Singles '82?88'" is a compilation album by UK progressive rock act Marillion. The compilation was released through EMI Records in 2000. It compiles the material from all singles (including all B-side tracks from the various versions of the singles) released in the period 1982-1988 with lead vocalist Fish on front, before his departure from Marillion in October 1988 (although the "Freaks" single was released in November 1988 one month after Fish had left). 12 individual CD singles featuring the Mark Wilkinson cover artwork from the original vinyl singles. The box-set was re-issued in October 2009 with all 12 singles compiled on a three-CD box-set. Both issues feature exactly the same tracks.

While all material on the compilation is well worth your time, as it´s quality neo-progressive rock from the 80s, it´s not a given that alternate mixes, re-recordings, extented versions of tracks, and radio edits of some tracks are interesting to the more casual listener. The most relevant A- and B side single tracks from that time have already been compiled and released on the "B-Sides Themselves" (January 1988, EMI Records) compilation album. So "The Singles '82?88'" is what I´d characterize as a hardcore fan item. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.