Mike Broadman
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2001
- Messages
- 4,950
Here's the low-down on the new Marillion album:
Hard-core fans have been pre-ordering it for the past 7 months so that money has been paying for its production and marketing. This versions of the album is 2 CDs of new music and comes in a big, fancy-schmancy packaged thing. Those of us who ordered before January have our names in the credits (mine can be found on the 4th page of credits, right side, towards the top
).
On May 3rd, a one CD version will be released via retail stores. Frankly, I'm surprised by some of the choices of which tracks they're putting on the one-disc version. Suffice it to say, those that settle for that one will be missing a couple of really neat tracks.
Overall, the album is very melancholy and emotive. Steve Hogarth has all but abandoned his clear, melody-focused style for a more conversational, emotive approach. The band just sounds amazing- proven as master performances a long time ago, they have constantly been experimenting with their sonic pallette and have reached a state of ingenuity, subtlety and perfection. Whereas their 1998 album Radiation saw them diving into new sounds with mixed results and their last two toning it down, they brought it back with it's very successful. Spare electronic sounds with varied percussion, a nice array of guitar sounds, subtle atmospheric keyboards, elegant bass. The production is solid and unobtrusive.
Highlights: 4 short interlude tracks called Marbles are spread throughout the album. The first song, Invisible Man, is 13 minutes, sprawling, a bit messy, complex, and great listening experience. It changes dynamics quickly, creating a collage effect. The single, You're Gone, uses sparse electronic beats and a solid melody. As a single, it's on the top 10 in the UK charts. Ocean Cloud is a gorgeous 17 minute epic and, unlike Invisible Man, flows nicely throughout so that it feels much shorter than it is. It's almost meditative. Not surprisingly due to its length, it's only on the double album version. The Only Unforgivable Thing is also only on the double and it's a very good tune. Angelina and Neverland are the most emotive on the album, very intense and gorgeous.
As cliched as this is, this is one of those albums that rewards you the more you listen to it. It's been on my iPod and in my car since I got it a few days ago and I can't wait to listen to it again. And, in true Marillion fashion, is a reaction to their last album, which was more "accessible" as it solidified their experimentation until that point.
Very highly recommended.
The double CD can be ordered from www.marillion.co.uk
Hard-core fans have been pre-ordering it for the past 7 months so that money has been paying for its production and marketing. This versions of the album is 2 CDs of new music and comes in a big, fancy-schmancy packaged thing. Those of us who ordered before January have our names in the credits (mine can be found on the 4th page of credits, right side, towards the top
).On May 3rd, a one CD version will be released via retail stores. Frankly, I'm surprised by some of the choices of which tracks they're putting on the one-disc version. Suffice it to say, those that settle for that one will be missing a couple of really neat tracks.
Overall, the album is very melancholy and emotive. Steve Hogarth has all but abandoned his clear, melody-focused style for a more conversational, emotive approach. The band just sounds amazing- proven as master performances a long time ago, they have constantly been experimenting with their sonic pallette and have reached a state of ingenuity, subtlety and perfection. Whereas their 1998 album Radiation saw them diving into new sounds with mixed results and their last two toning it down, they brought it back with it's very successful. Spare electronic sounds with varied percussion, a nice array of guitar sounds, subtle atmospheric keyboards, elegant bass. The production is solid and unobtrusive.
Highlights: 4 short interlude tracks called Marbles are spread throughout the album. The first song, Invisible Man, is 13 minutes, sprawling, a bit messy, complex, and great listening experience. It changes dynamics quickly, creating a collage effect. The single, You're Gone, uses sparse electronic beats and a solid melody. As a single, it's on the top 10 in the UK charts. Ocean Cloud is a gorgeous 17 minute epic and, unlike Invisible Man, flows nicely throughout so that it feels much shorter than it is. It's almost meditative. Not surprisingly due to its length, it's only on the double album version. The Only Unforgivable Thing is also only on the double and it's a very good tune. Angelina and Neverland are the most emotive on the album, very intense and gorgeous.
As cliched as this is, this is one of those albums that rewards you the more you listen to it. It's been on my iPod and in my car since I got it a few days ago and I can't wait to listen to it again. And, in true Marillion fashion, is a reaction to their last album, which was more "accessible" as it solidified their experimentation until that point.
Very highly recommended.
The double CD can be ordered from www.marillion.co.uk
