MARBLES

Marillion's latest (at time of writing) album has the familiar feel of their Hogarth era output. It's more "Seasons end"/"Brave" than "Radiation"/Anoraknophobia".

It is both a telling and courageous move, especially after their apparent distaste in recent time for being labelled prog, that the album opens with a thirteen minute track, "The invisible man". This is indeed pure prog which passes through various emotions and time changes. There's a bit of "Seasons end" (track) cascading guitar, and a lovely choral keyboards backed section which finds Hogarth at his emotive best, as the band rocks out behind him. A wonderful opening track.

"Fantastic place" once again feels very "Seasons end", with some lovely guitar and "orchestration", building to a fine crescendo ending.

The final track, "Neverland" is the other feature track, running to 12 minutes. The highlight of the track is the excellent guitar work, with it's echoes of Dave Gilmour. The track is more reminiscent of the Afraid of sunlight" album, especially "Out of this world".

The single "You're gone" which Marillion fans managed through excellent collusion to get into the top 10 of the UK singles chart is also included here, and in truth makes for a better album track than single. The double CD version only available through the band's website includes an excellent 18 minute track, "Ocean Cloud".

As with most Hogarth era Marillion albums, for me "Marbles" is a bit too wordy. The band should have the courage to exploit their instrumental prowess far more. That said, this is Marillion's finest album since "This strange engine" (which I rate highly), and a welcome return to the type of music they do best, i.e. prog rock!

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