The Marillion Thread

[Kev]

Greetings!

Over the years, I've happened to notice that many who enjoy Yes also show interest in a little band from Aylesbury, UK named Marillion. The band, who have been playing since the late seventies, are actually fans of Yes themselves. There are also influences of Genesis, Hawkwind, Gong and King Crimson throughout the group. Though the "progressive" tag may not attach onto Marillion as it did during the Eighties, they continued throughout the nineties and still play today with heart and skill. In my opinion, they're the best band no one's heard of! Outside of the progressive music circles, Marillion is an unknown.

I wanted to start this thread to give any of their loyal fans a forum to discuss any of their work. Many of you might have stopped following the band's progress at some point during their career and might enjoy some of their more recent material once the light is shed upon it. This may also serve as a golden opportunity to those completely unfamiliar with the band, but are always looking to try something new.

If you're interested in receiving a free sampler CD of some of their terrific work recently, visit Marillion.Com .

Peace
Kev

[bataisflow]

There new album smokes! I love Marillion - I stopped listening to them for about 5 yrs - but I am back somewhat. My freinds and I were rabid fans throughout the 80s and pretty much still are. Clutching is there best effort to date though IMO.

[Dale Cleary]

Is Ian still with them?
I haven't heard them in many a year. I'm afraid that I don't listen to many rock bands. These days I prefer more groove oriented stuff in a Latin style or jazz.
Ian's a good player and I used to enjoy his video with Hackett.
See ya, Dale.

[Kev]

Yes! Mr. Ian Mosley (Sp?) is still with them!

Here's the curent lineup;

Steve Hogarth (vox)
Steve Rothery (guitar)
Pete Trewavas (Bass)
Mark Kelly (Keys)
Ian Mosley (Drums, Percussion of all sorts and sizes)

Wish I could've seen Ian with Hackett; bummer. He's a great drummer!

When's the last time you've heard their material, Dale? Perhaps some suggestions for reacquaintance could be offered.

[Roman]

Hi all, I am a huge Marillion fan, and I'm glad to see anyone else here, who noticed they exist, and are still together playing the best music in this world (I love them as much as I love Yes). BTW, I started a similar thread in this forum before a few months.
Interestingly, I already found the following in the Marillion.com online forum:

"Hello all,

In my line of work as a journalist, I am occasionally fortunate to be able to interview various musicians (to see a 2001 interview with Mark K, follow the link at bottom). Recently I had a phone interview with Chris Squire of YES. When we chatted about bands we were listening to (him: No Doubt, Tool, The KGB), I asked if he'd ever heard of Marillion.

His reply was: "Yes, Marillion, of course, the English band, which I don't think are any longer together."

I quickly corrected him and told him that they still very much alive and well, to which he replied.

"Is Fish, the singer, back with them?"

So I told him that they had an even better singer who has been with the band longer than Fish. Anyway, it reminded me that, outside of the Anorak universe, a lot of people are still unaware of what the band is up to now.... It's sad, really, how they've dropped off a lot of radar screens. Anyway, I think that I am going to send Mr. Squire a copy of the Crash Course CD via his management! "

(posted by Stephen Humphries).

The free sampler you can get from www.marillion.com absolutely for FREE is really good. There are their very best songs on this CD (Out of This World, Afraid of Sunlight, This Is the 21st Century etc.).

[Kev]

Hey Roman,

Thanks for posting that interview. It's a shame no one keeps up with them anymore. One would think that since Fish is good friends with Rick, that word might have gotten around the Yes camp. Oh well...

Dale,

Here's a list of studio albums the band has released since Fish left the band after Clutching At Straws;

Seasons End
Holidays in Eden
Brave (In my opinion; one of the best progressive records ever created)
Afraid of Sunlight
This Strange Engine
Radiation
Marillion.Com
Anoraknophobia

Any discussion for these works for whomever has heard them?

[Martin Riley]

Yeah, I think Marillion improved afetr Fish left. Not that I'm knocking Fish, I also think his work improved when he went solo.

Brave is indeed one of the best works ever to appear under the banner of 'prog' which isn't a banner that Marillion necessarily approve of anymore.
Since then I think Afraid of Sunlight & This Strange Engine were very good but since then the last few albums have been a bit more 'difficult' for me. Not that they're bad, perhaps it's my fault, but I find I have to try harder to listen to them, they're no longer as melodically immediate anymore. But I still love 'em.

[Roman]

I understand you, Martin, that you find the last albums very difficult. Marillion's music discoveres new areas with every album. This can be seen especially on Radiation and Anoraknophobia. These two albums are very experimental, and not every fan likes it. Radiation is very unpopular among Marillion fans, it would probably win the poll "the worst Marillion album". I myself love this album, songs as "Cathedral Wall", "A Few Words for the Dead", "These Chains" or "Under the Sun" are great and classics.
Even when "Anoraknophobia" is a much bigger step into different areas of music than Radiation, it's loved by most of Marillion fans. But again, to some fans many of the songs seem too experimental ("A Fruit of the Wild Rose", "Separated Out" and especially "If My Heart Were a Ball It Would Roll Uphill"). I love Radiation more than Anoraknophobia, but still love both, and don't mind the "experimental" songs.

[Martin Riley]

That's right Roman. I do find them more experimental. I do listen to them but not as often as the others. I really must try harder with them when I can find the time. I just seem to have so much stuff to play at the moment

P.S. I haven't forgotten about the ELP/Crimso tapes I promised you. In fact I'm going out for lunch now to price up the postage cost. You should have them soon, but I'll e-mail you when I actually post them.

[Roman]

It's really worth the time, Martin. The albums are superb. I have already told you what IMO are the best songs from Radiation, here are my faves from .com & Anorak:
.com:
Interior Lulu (just excellent)
A Legacy
Rich
Go!
Anorak:
This Is the 21st Century (one of the best Marillion songs ever)
Separated Out (I actually like the experimental songs)
When I Meet God
Between You and Me.

Looking forward to hearing from you about the tapes.

[Kev]

Good call on those newer tracks, Roman!

I'll offer a few for suggestion- these are post-Fish era. If you can find any of these on some person-to-person sharing network much like Napster, give them a download and have a listen!

Gazpacho (Afraid of Sunight)- Terrific way to open up an album! Lots of simple melodies and rhythms all intertwined to create a tapestry for the direction of Marillion's new sound. Heavy melodic influences from Genesis, great rhythm section style comparable to Rush and Yes. All in all, it makes for great song, and even better Marillion.

The Answering Machine & Under The Sun (Radiation)- I can't understand why this album is so misunderstood amongst fans. Granted, it is a departure to sound more hard-edged and a gravitation towards a Radiohead-caliber production. I guess, if some fans think "if it isn't broke; don't fix it"- let them eat dust!

Quartz (Anoraknophobia)- Incorporates Marillion's inimitable sound with the latest European sound trends to create a jilted lover's anthem in a way only Marillion can make it sound.

This Strange Engine- Title track off a terrific album. Marillion's last progressive opus to date. Never full of masturbatory instrumentalism, it is a more simplistic- cut and dry representation of a prog rock masterpiece. Excellent playing by all involved.

Splintering Heart (Holidays In Eden)- This album was mainly meant to be a commercial release. However, the LP kicks off with this dynamic work; always a favourite live. Steve Hogarth really stakes his claim behind the microphone and Steve Rothery's guitar is played with the greatest taste.

Brave- The whole album. It's hard to pick a favourite track; think of it as one long song; but not as we're accustomed as YesFans hearing a conceptual album. The manner in which this album is presented is truly different and more unique to anything I've yet heard. And, truth be known, I disliked it when I first heard it. After some further acquaintance; I am very happy to say that first impressions don't last a lifetime. As a suggestion; listen to other new Marillion material before you ease into this one (if you can find it in print). This baby's like the finest wine. Listen to it loud with the lights off!!

I'd urge anyone at all to take advantage of the FREE Marillion CD Sampler while it still lasts. Especially those who have read this thread for whatever reason and might not even have heard of Marillion. Just follow this link:

http://www.marillion.com/discog/crash/form.html

It's MORE than worth a few moments of your time!

[Martin Riley]

Originally posted by Roman
It's really worth the time, .

I'm giving Anoraknophobia another chance. I've got it in the car now. I listened to the first 4 songs on my way into work this morning. It's sounding better. I think I'll need to go back to Radiation after this to try to get my head around that one. I don't really have a problem with marillion.com I thought that was the album of the year when I first heard it.

[Martin Riley]

Right. I finished off the rest of the album during my lunch time drive home.

Now , I'm most impressed. Onto Radiation again

[Martin Riley]

Radiation last night, 3 A.M. headphones on, FULL BLAST

It's great - why have I been missing this?

[Roman]

Martin, I'm so happy to hear that!

Kev, those are some very good suggestions, although they are not all my fave Marillion songs (I don't like Answering Machine and Quartz that much).

BTW, when you're going to listen to Brave loud and with the lights off, prepare for a very strong and unforgettable experience. Not everyone can bear that. Some fans say, that they feel sick after that. But it's the best way you can listen to Brave, you feel the right atmosphere, and understand the concept of the album better.

[Martin Riley]

I caught up with Holidays in Eden at the weekend as well - I'd forgotten how good that one is. But now I'm having trouble with Afraid of Sunlight - I used to love that album, but I listened to it for the first time in maybe 3 years and was quite disappointed. Apart from Gazpacho & Cannibal Surf Babe

[Roman]

AOS is one of the best albums ever recorded by anyone, IMO. I am absolutely in love with Out of This World, which is the most moving track I have ever heard. Rothers' solo before "what did she say, I know the pain..." is like an extasy. And the piano after the solo... I just can't describe how much I love this track. And the other tracks - Afraid of Sunlight, Beyond You, Gazpacho, King, Beautiful,... - just great. I hope you will find you're way back to the album Martin.
BTW, Cannibal Surf Babe is another track underrated amongst fans. It's another experimental one...

[Martin Riley]

I will be giving it another try,Roman, because I'm intrigued as to why I used to like it a lot, then I play a lot of Marillion and suddenly find that I'm disappointed in it. I must find out why

[Roman]

Well, digging this thread up from the grave, I only want to say one thing in hope that someone is interested: I started a Czech site about Marillion, which is located on www.sweb.cz/anoraci (and which is why I am so busy doing other things and visit yesfans quite unregularly). I know that hardly any of you would understand Czech, but I would be happy if you have any comments to the web.
Have a good time!

[brismike]

Hi Guys - I've been reading what has been said about this band over the last few months. During that time I have slowly been buying copies of the 24 bit digital re-mastered Marillion CD's with the bonus CD's.

I originally had a Marillion compilation CD which intrigued me to find out more about them. It was filled with singles though and didn't really showpiece the band at all.

I had already got the Transatlantic CD's so I knew that Marillion's Bass player , Pete Trevavas, was very very good.

When I decided to branch out I started with Misplaced Childhood. I was impressed with this album from the first track. Heart of Lothian was the track that got me really hooked. Its fantastic to hear the alternate versions and demo's on the bonus disc too.

Then I got Script For a Jesters Tear next, again a very impressive listen. I especially liked Chelsea Monday & He Knows You Know. Once again the bonus disc was jam packed with goodies including a 19 minute version of Grendel and a great b side song called Market Square Heroes.

Next I decided to take the advice of Roman and try Brave. I'm glad I was brave to take his advice, this album just kicks arse! (Ass for the US friends on here). No track stands out on this album they are all just so good. And another bonus disc chockers with remakes and alternate versions wow.

A while back I asked what the latest album, Anoraknophobia, was like. I think you guys said to maybe give it a miss until I had absorbed some of the earlier stuff. Well today I decided to buy it. No bonus disc with this one but who cares. I've only listened to it once and this has to be the best non YES album I've listened to in a long time.

Why did you guys stop me all those months ago ???? I'm just listening to "If My Heart Were a Ball it Would Roll Uphill" .... what a track . . fantastic bass and vocals... melody that soars in from everywhere ... This is so F***king good!! Go out and BUY IT WHILE YOU CAN!

The sound, especially the first track, on this album reminds me a little of U2. But where I have always thought U2 were a little rough & raw this is so honed & polished. U2 is the rough uncut diamond, Marillion are the finished priceless bezel cut beauty.

I also bought a copy of Clutching at Straws with bonus disc but havn't listened to it yet. I want to hear Anoraknophobia again a few times before I do .. WOW these guys are good.

Have they ever toured Australia? If not have they ever considered it ?