B Sides Themselves [Import]

Marillion | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B000005RRH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,511 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

1988 compilation featuring nine of their B-sides from 1982-1987 (while Fish was frontman), all digitally remastered. Includes a live version of 'Margaret', plus 'Grendel', 'Market Square Heroes', 'Cinderella Search', & more. EMI.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only review I have ever written......, March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: B Sides Themselves (Audio CD)

This is how strongly I feel that this disc is an essential piece of not just a marillion collection, bu a music collection. I do not like the last song on this disc (Margaret-Live), but Grendel is such a masterpiece, that it is irrelevant. For you Genesis fans out there, this song rivals the In the Cage medley from three sides live. If you like old Genesis (and new for that matter), ELP, Yes, Asia..... You know where I'm going with this..... You will love most of this disc. Grendel ***** Cinderella Search ***** Three boats down by the Candy ***** Lady Nina ***** Market Square Heroes & Tux On **** I don't listen to the rest of the disc, to be honest.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grendel, January 22, 2005

By 

L. Masco (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: B Sides Themselves (Audio CD)

Grendel is still my favorite of Marillion's songs. It's worth checking out John Gardner's book, Grendel, upon which the song is based. In short, it tells the story of how Grendel first tries to make friends with the humans and is attacked out of their fear, and then is later used as a scapegoat for Hrothgar's (the human king's) treachery. He responds by attacking out of anger at the humans' pettiness and hypocrisy, outrage at the storyteller's vicious slander.

The music folows the progression, starting out fairly benign and flowing to channel Grendel's pain and eventually his murderous rage as he avenges himself upon the humans, all flowing through Dick's superb lyrics and expressive voice: "The Shaper's lies no longer heal the pain within their eyes."

The sound of the song is reminiscent to me of Genesis' Foxtrot, underscoring Marillion's origin as a Genesis cover band.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, Representative Taste of D Dick!, November 9, 2008

By 

Paul Ess. (Holywell, N.Wales,UK.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: B Sides Themselves (Audio CD)

It speaks volumes that a compilation of early Fish-era Marillion b-sides, can be deemed a definitive, original work, well beyond it's tawdry intentions as a cash-in.
Here they are folks, the bits and bobs ya might have missed! Just keep that filthy lucre rolling in kids!
You get the idea.

To be interested in (the hour long!) 'B-Sides Themselves' (guffaw!) you need to realise just how good this group were in their first bloom of creativity.
The first four albums are superb wherever you bite your rock; and there is stuff on here at least as good, and in many instances, better.

Of course in the plastic, un-romantic world of disc and digital, a collection like this is redundant and essential at the same time. The b-side, to all extents and purposes, is a concept that doesn't really exist anymore; and isn't it Marillion-typical, that stuff that's meant as throwaway, keeps on being nigh-on indispensable 20-odd years on?

It's mind-boggling that sterling songs like 'Lady Nina' and 'Three Boats Down From The Candy' were cobbled together and pushed out into the pop world as filler.
Magnificent, lyrical masterpieces like 'Charting the Single' and
'Cinderella Search' just hidden away in the shadows. That the 17 minute prog symphony of evil: 'Grendel' originally appeared as a 'bonus' song is quite ridiculous.
The Fish ego must be gigantic.
If wasn't for 'B-Sides Themselves' I wouldn't mind betting there'd be fervent Marillion supporters who would scarcely be aware of their existence.

It doesn't need me to say it (so OF COURSE I'm going to!), the quality of Marillion's b-sides wipe the floor with most groups serious and genuine output.

The live/ jam thingy 'Margaret' is the only let-down. Although man-god Fish is on fiery form as drunken audience/choir ringleader, the whole thing reeks of condescension. One 'extra' that should've stayed buried in the studio vaults.

That aside, 'B-Sides Themselves' should be treated as a major work in all quarters. Certainly on a par with 'Script for a Jesters Tear' or 'Fugazi', and only slightly below Marillion's signature classic 'Misplaced Childhood' in the grand order of Fish pla(i)cings (sorry).

If only the record company had the class and grace to give this away free...

4½ stars