Customer Reviews

B Sides Themselves

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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

This is a compilation of all the b-sides to the Fish era singles, including a massive 16+ min. overture with 'Grendel' and closing with yet another 15+ min. in the live version of 'Margaret' (not 'Marharet' as Amazon has it listed). It also includes one of the bands most famous tracks, and a crowd favorite at concerts, 'Market Square heroes'.

Whoever compiled this disc should be imprisoned for crimes against music! When it was released I was elated that I could finally have my favorite Marillion track, "Cinderella Search," on CD. Imagine my horror when I discovered that it was some chopped-down version that FADES OUT just as the crescendo begins. Yeah, THAT'S brilliant! Who wants a passage of climbing intensity that leads into a satisfying slam-bang of an ending when you can just fade out? I actually jumped up out of my chair and headed for the stereo, thinking there was something wrong with it! (No kidding!) Then the horrors continued: I listened to the rest of the disc (I had skipped right to "Cinderella Search," as I wanted to hear it right off the bat), and discovered that "Lady Nina" was also missing its slam-bang finish, as well as "Market Square Heroes," which had the extra indignity of missing its final verse. It's the most frustrating thing to have to sit through. If I wanted these songs to fade out I could turn down the volume knob myself! And it's amazing with some of them: if they had just let the songs play for another 10 seconds, the ending would have come. The fade-outs don't exactly save us any time. If you want the good versions get the double-disc reissues of the albums, or, better yet, the box of singles.

B-SIDES THEMSELVES is not very aptly named. It gives the impression of 'throw-away' b-sides and this CD is very removed from that. It kicks off with the superb epic GRENDEL which sets the scene for a very good collection.

This has the unmistakable Fish fronting the band and is obviously from that era. It was the first and still the best to collect these non-album tracks together in one home.

Other stand out tracks are; MARKET SQUARE HEROES, CINDERELLA SEARCH and LADY NINA. The only down side is the inclusion of the very "you had to be there" live track MARGARET which closes the album, hence four and not five stars.

There has been criticism that a couple of tracks fade-out rather than ending in dramatic fashion but that is picky indeed and may detract some from purchasing what is still the best fish-era collection.

Well worth the price of admission.

I have all of these songs on vinyl discs, many of them picture discs from the 1980s. Those albums pop and crackle today, so it was time to upgrade. If you have never heard the epic "Grendel," think "Supper's Ready" by Genesis and buy this album right now. These songs should have made it onto albums. And compared to what Peter Gabriel and Genesis have done in the last 20 years, this is superior work.

I have owned this CD for years and I can tell you with certitude that it is the most underrated Fish-era Marillion album. These songs are so good that they could have been "A" sides themselves! When you look at the track list and know how popular songs like "Market Square Heroes", "Freaks" (which later made it to the Live album "The Thieving Magpie") and "Margaret" are, it is hard to believe that these ended up on "B" sides. Most bands would love to have "A" sides that sound this good! I discovered "Lady Nina" thanks to this album. It is one of my favorite Marillion songs ever. Do not let the title lead you to believe that this is a lower grade album that is not worth your money. This album is a must-have!

First, this album is not only spectacular in every way. But, Grendel is beyond a masterpiece. These B-sides are not found anywhere and are perfect as an album together. The concept of "B-sides Themselves" I always loved. The artwork too is so proper to this fugazi society. I love every song on here, as I love every Marillion song ever. What's with you so-called Marillion fans. I am ashamed you do not give stronger reviews. Marillion blew Genesis away. I used to listen to my brother listening to old Genesis while I was growing up. Please. Marillion is in another realm, and I never, never, never see any similarities. Marillion is Marillion in every way. Steve, Mark, Fish, Peter, and whether Mosely or Pointer they were soo uniquie and brilliant. Steve's guitar solo's are beyond emotion and as one reviewer put it about "Script" his guitar sings like a singer.



I had the pleasure of meeting him and called him what 'The Web' newsletter once called him, "The Compiler." He can rip a ton of unbelievable notes and riffs, but he says a million things with so few notes as well. The closest to him in that way might be Lifeson, and I know you will all think Gilmour. No one, not even Gilmour can do it like Steve Rothery. Absolutely one of the best (my favorite being Steve Howe). Second, I want to slap you guys again. The song "Tux On" I love. I always loved that song. The whole song, lyrics, and Steve's solo is amazing. Margret allows you to hear them live where they stretch some solos and jump around with brilliance. Come on people. These songs are essential in all ways. I believe this is an entire album in itself. Forget "Supper's Ready", lol, I mean geez. To me, if you can't see Marillion as being completely unique then you are wrong. And Fish's voice to me sound's nothing like Gabriel's. The face painting wasn't meant to be a rip off, and what Fish did during the shows was different. And by the way, Gabriel wore a lot more costumes than just make-up. Fish is brilliant beyond belief. And is a poet that is like no other. His lyrics have inspired me, his singing is so tremendous, his range, everything. No singer is like Fish. None. I sing all of Marillion's songs, and I can do it very well, and Fish has been a huge inspiration to me.



Fish's style is so out of this world that no one can touch him, he's the best. His play on words not seen in the music industry. And as a poet, my poetry has some similarity to Fish's lyrics in that I use a play on words from time to time. His influence is huge on me. Like in Clutching, "I'm serving the sentences for all life sentences, it's only when I'm out of this I make sense of this." One of a billion examples of brilliance. I say things like, "Jesus, first He graces you with His presence, then He presents you with His grace." But anyways, for God's sake this album is a masterpiece galore, hands down. Everything Fish and Marillion do are anyways. Why do you dissect what is unique and something we love. I don't usually say I like one album or song better than another because it's apples and oranges. That goes for all my favorite groups. Why compare brilliance with brilliance? What you ought to be doing is thanking God that we were so blessed to have Marillion and Fish and all they have given us, which is limitless really.



Again, this why I do not like to have to write a review, and usually I stay away from others' opinions, because to be honest, like Gabriel said, "I know what I like, and I like what I know." So, I don't care what other's think. Instead, I just am so thankful for my boys in Marillion, as I am in Asia and Yes. I have often seen Fish as a second father. Ask yourselves Marillion fans, "How many times did Fish get you through the BS in this world?" And one last thing, Marillion being my dark side group to Yes and Asia, they cover the hardness and suffering of life in a manner, style, etc. that is real. Not a bunch of crap like today. It is emotional heartbreak, suffering, loneliness, you name it. But it doesn't bring you down. Not for me. The way they present it I am lifted up. Fish made(kes) sense of a senseless world. They brought these areas of life up to get through it all and deal with it. These are real life issues. Still today Fish and Marillion both do it brilliantly respectively. And in a great sense because they are so real and truthful, and do it so well, they actually take the pain, and you should feel good. Sometimes we need that sympathy Fish provides too, because let's face it folks, we do live in a world that is "totally fugazi" until Jesus comes. I could say a lot more. But I had to say at least something, because that's how I feel about Marillion, this album, and even some Marillion fans. This is a rarity for me, but I pop up every once in a while. I love the balance in my life between Marillion, Asia, and Yes. Marillion disarms evil by bringing it to the surface and shouting it out while being cynical, poetic, and emotional with greatest sincerity and truth. Hence the live album name, "Real to Reel". They manage to make things good that are realistically not good. If you truly understand Marillion you will see that through out all their albums. They are no doom and gloom garbage band. They are the flashlight on the ugliness and sorrow and pain, but they are also a remedy. How can one remove a splinter unless they work it to the surface. All these other bands that sing about the darkness of the world only care about being selfish and make music that is not with the emotion and realness that Marillion always has. They are a blessing, and I love them all right up to this day in 2007 always.



Mark Edwards

I agree with the reviewer who talks about edited versions...why do they cut the ending section of Cinderella Search, Market Square Heroes ?
I really don't know. Anyway, for me this cd is half good, half bad.
I like "Charting the single", "Market Square Heroes", "Cinderella Search" and "Freaks". I don't like "Three boats from the candy", "Lady Nina", "Tux on" and the horrible "Margaret" Grendel has some good moments but the ending section is clearly a pale copy of Supper,s ready of Genesis, by the way, Fish doesn't like Grendel and I agree with him.