Best of Both Worlds (Arg) [Import]

Marillion | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B0000071X1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,924 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative > General
  • #84 in Music > Imports > Alternative Rock

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tangents, August 24, 2000

By 

loteq (Regensburg/Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of Both Worlds (Audio CD)

"Best of.." is the only Marillion collection which really makes sense, featuring one disc which is dedicated to the 'Fish era' and one with material when Steve Hogarth was lead singer. Hardcore fans tend to be very specific about what constitutes Marillion's best material, and I thought I could give you a short overview of this collection's content plus a few statements concerning the regular studio albums. As a starting point for the newly interested, "Best of.." comes highly recommended.

With a name taken from Tolkien's novel "Silmarillion", the band released its debut "Script for a jester's tear" in 1983. At this time, the music was dominated by Fish's theatrical thrills and his typical singing style. As the first five tracks on "Best of.." demonstrate, this sound was quite unusual and serious for the early-'80s and truly looks back to Genesis' early-'70s output with Peter Gabriel as lead singer. "Assasin" and "Punch and Judy" are taken from 1984's "Fugazi", but this album also contains several other strong songs like "Incubus" and "Emerald lies", so this selection of two songs is a bit scanty. In 1985, the brilliant concept album "Misplaced childhood" marked the beginning of a golden, albeit short, period for the band, containing the unforgettable top hit "Kayleigh" and other successful singles, "Lavender" and "Heart of Lothian". The next four tracks are taken from the final album of the Fish era, 1987's sinister and majestic "Clutching at straws". This record was musically more accessible and melodic than the band's prior work, although the lyrics were probably written in Fish's darkest hours.

By the time of 1989, Fish and Marillion had parted ways and the new lead singer Steve Hogarth made his debut on the atmospheric, wistful "Season's end", an excellent album that came up with epic ballads like "Easter" and "Berlin" as well as surprisingly straightforward rock numbers like "Uninvited guest" and "Hooks in you". But in contrast to Fish's first solo outing, "Vigil in a wilderness of mirrors", "Season's end" was a commercial flop and drew scorn from some fans who didn't like Steve's singing and missed Fish's lyrical ability. Two years later, the band enjoyed a series of minor hit singles with "Cover my eyes", "No one can", and "Dry land", all taken from the album "Holidays in Eden". Despite a more rock-oriented, streamlined sound, the album itself was a disappointment, being too bland and disjointed. The next record, "Brave", would become a classic art-rock album, with mostly slow ballads and a perfect sense of the dramatic. Although it didn't contain any hit singles, "Brave" sold in respectable numbers and found much praise among fans. Finally, 1995's "Afraid of sunlight" proved to be Marillion's best album of the '90s, featuring an impressive variety of styles and moods. "Beautiful" became a summer hit in Europe, but unfortunately, this great album suffered from bad promotion, so it dropped off the charts quickly. Marillion were forced to leave their record company and issued their next albums ("This strange engine", "Tales from the engine room", "Radiation") on independent labels.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential collection, May 23, 2000

By 

Jon Berger (Oslo Norway) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of Both Worlds (Arg) (Audio CD)

Quite simply the very best Marillion collection out there, and the only one worthy of your money. The idea is simple, yet powerful; One disc features the best work of the bands powerful heyday, featuring the troubled and brilliant Scottish poet Fish. Whilst some of the material sounds slightly quaint these days, the songs still retain the magic from my younger days.

The other disc features the more contemporary sounds and songs of the material written with current lead-vocalist, Steve Hogarth. The second best voice in pop music, second only to A-Ha's Morten Harket. The band has changed it's sound to a substantial degree under the helm of Hogarth (or "H", as he is affectionally known as), yet there is no denying the quite excellent musicianship and emotional lyrics that have always been their trademarks.

Marillion remain the best kept secret in British Rock. Neither rock, nor pop, nor "progressive" and definately not "hip" or "in", their music is simply put rock music of the highest calibre and flavoured with touches of pop, of progressive rocks finest moments and the odd touch of soul and folk.

Still confused? So are most critics whom have never been able to put a sufficient tag on the band, and many rock fans are left bewildered by the band. I can only say that you will be well off by giving this band a chance, and this is as good a place as any.

If you have never heard any of the music, yet are familiar with the name and wonder what this actually sounds like, you will have to try and imagine a blend of Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Yes, Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin and Crowded House. If any of these, or similar bands, are to your taste, I guarantee you a nice few hours in the company of this excellent 2-disc set.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GET IT !, December 10, 1999

By 

Michel Molenaar (Netherlands (Holland)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of Both Worlds (Arg) (Audio CD)

For all persons who like Marillion or any sympfonic-rock. I'd like to recommend it. My first introduction to marillion was about 11 years ago, and since Steve H. (the new singer) came I haven't bought anything. But after hearing this double CD, I was really tempted not to buy all the rest of the marillion CD's. If you like nice rock music with a twist of symphony, you'll love this. At least I did.