Customer Reviews

Holidays in Eden

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Call me crazy, but I sincerely enjoy Holidays In Eden. I won't deny that it's commercially directed, a bit streamlined, but when the quality of the music is this good, who cares? This may be one of the only five-star reviews it has been given, but it deserves it. It is still characterized by good old Marillion attributes (awesome guitar solos, ambient arrangements, and lots of emotion), but it's diluted a bit by the pop endeavor.

Highlights include "Cover My Eyes," with Hogarth showing off his deft vocal acrobatics, "Splintering Heart," which is classic Hogarth-Marillion (it's even a bit "Fishy"), the peppy title cut, and the radio friendly triad "No One Can," "Dry Land," and "Waiting To Happen." My favorite song would be "The Party," the moving story of a young girl who attends her first party (of the drugs, drinking, and promiscuous variety), and loses an element of her innocence as a result. A generic little idea that's made markedly compelling thanks to interesting lyrics and sad, atmospheric music. The final song, "100 Nights," also proves absorbing when given the attention ('cause it doesn't grab you right away). Under-appreciated, but many great things are.

Marillion's second Hogarth-era album has probably taken more flak than any of their other releases to date. I, for one, can't understand why. Maybe its simply the mentality with which I listen to Holiday's in Eden, but I can't anything offensively wrong with this thoughtfull collection of good pop tunes. Granted, it lacks the resonance of some their other work (Misplaced Childhood, and Brave, for instance), but it in turn sheds much of psuedo-progressive pretense of many of the same albums, making for a lighter, frothier, yet no less enjoyable Marillion experience.

Marillion albums are fun to listen to. They're alternately moving and rocking. That said, Holidays is probably the least consistantly satisfying of their records. A bit poppy for Marillion, my guess is that the group and Steve Hogarth were feeling each other out. Thankfully, the process went extremely well and we ended up with several stellar albums since Holidays.

It appears this CD has been released several times with slightly different tracks...I bought a used one about a month ago (single CD). I believe this is the original release from 1991, as it includes two songs(A collection,How Can it Hurt) which I believe were dropped from subsequent releases...so, with that said, my review will reflect the original release mentioned above.

This was one of those purchases that I almost didn't make. I noticed a "trend" in the ratings and reviews here at Amazon...the fans either adored or despised this release which threw up a 'red flag' for me (besides the overall 3 star rating). I had recently overcome my 'fear' of buying CDs with lower ratings...Ironically, I had just bought Saga's 'Behavior' and Spock's Beard's 'Day for Night' CDs (these 3 albums are somewhat comparable, in that they have all been dubbed as the "poppy-commercial" releases from the respective said groups---besides also carrying lower ratings than their other releases. Well, I can definitely say I'm glad I spent the dollars on all three of the above albums. I would also agree with the fans and critics to a degree that these/this album IS more commercial(acssesible,simple?),but thats probably why I like them. With 'Holidays', there are definitely some very "poppy" songs---Cover My Eyes, No One...,Dry Land, Waiting to Happen,Which,like another reviewer said,is likeable for its simpler nature and ease of listening. By the way these "poppier" songs are well constructed and have some memorable 'Hooks' that will keep you coming back...aren't these characteristics of any good song? As has become almost mandatory on a Marillion release, there are a couple of heavier 'rock' songs here as well...This Town,Title track...but these are enjoyable enough (though somewhat generic sounding). 'A Collection' would qualify for the "obligatory" ballad but is certainly listenable (it almost reminds me of a Simon and Garfunkel kind of sentimental song...quite moving). The more 'die-hard' fans will likely be pleased by the "Darker" tracks on HIE---'The Party', 'Splintering Heart', which are the type of songs/moods that this band has excelled in. Besides the lush,dreamy soundscapes this band is capable of providing (ala, Pink Floyd in many cases),these "darker" songs are what I have found most enjoyable in Marillion's music. So, although this album doesn't quite resonate within me like some other releases from them,it will certainly get its "fair Share" of spins in my player right along with their "essentials". Enjoy, Jeff

This is not classic Marillion-if you are looking for another Misplaced Chldhood then don't be fooled. However, with HIE the band changed direction successfully, and scored a very good FM rock album Close my eyes is a classic 80's AOR track, and The Party is a very intense, cinematic song depicting the strong emotions everyone feels at their first real party in high school.... Great stuff. Recommended.

HiE certanly stirs things up! I don't care where this rates on my all time top 10 Marillo albums, I just know that I like it a lot and enjoy listening to it on Sunny days. In its deffecnce I would say that theres a lot of stuff on here that you are always delighted to hear live, especialy splintering heart, which is awsome, and worth getting the album for on its own.

This was a transition album for me in many ways. I was starting to "come out" of a prog rock period, so to speak, during which I'd only listen to this type of music, so, if you compare this work with the first Marillion album with Steve Hogarth and furthermore, with their music with Fish, understandably the more commercial line of this album shock me in the beginning. As a matter of fact, it made me decide (something that I still regret) not to go to their concert (the one time they were visiting Venezuela, where I used to live).

Today, it's been almost fifteen years since the original release (this is a remastered version, well worth the extra bucks, BTW), and I realize that the album's sound remains fresh as it was back then, and they've evolved as a band, to the point of having found a sound that defines their very essence, unlike any other prog band around. With only two weaker tunes (the title track and "This Town") the album resounds as a loud and clear musical statement, from the opening "Splintering Heart", through the classic "Cover My Eyes" (which you can enjoy here in the original version and a splendid acoustic rendition to be found on disc two), all the way into the closing "100 Nights", leaving you with a feel that you did the right thing...

Indeed, after years of following them through their ups and downs (which they've had their fair share of), I can say without a doubt, that 'Holidays in Eden' stands as one of their most solid productions. If you want to enjoy the best Marillion there has been with Steve Hogarth at the wheel, check out 'Brave' and don't skip their 'Marbles' which came out earlier in 2004. For some good Fish-period music, don't go on one more day without 'Misplaced Childhood' or 'Clutching at Straws'.

This was h's second album as Marillion's lead singer, and was the first sign of the *new* Marillion. Just as their following records, Holidays in Eden is quite different from previous releases.

After achieving a somewhat large following and a little bit of a name for themselves while with Fish, the label had *high* expectations for the band in terms of releasing hit singles. The lads had had some chart exposure with Kayleigh and Incommunicado, but didn't do so well with the singles from Seasons end (at least in the eyes of label executives!!), so they were pushed into making a more commercially viable album. The result is this here CD, Holidays in Eden, which although including a couple of true chart seekers (Cover my eyes, No one can, Dry land...) is NOT a pop album by any means (just give a listen to The party, Splintering heart or the CD closing trio of This town/The rakes progress/100 nights and tell me that that is pop!). What it did end up being is an excellent collection of music and a tremendous sophomore outing by h.

As for the second CD, it includes a few demos, a great acoustic version of Cover my eyes (maybe even better than the original version), and a few extra tracks like How can it hurt, A collection (both included in the U.S. release of the album), Sympathy, I will walk on water (both included in the Six of one, half a dozen of the other compilation), You don't need anyone, Eric and The epic.

This was h's second album as Marillion's lead singer, and was the first sign of the *new* Marillion. Just as their following records, Holidays in Eden is quite different from previous releases.

After achieving a somewhat large following and a little bit of a name for themselves while with Fish, the label had *high* expectations for the band in terms of releasing hit singles. The lads had had some chart exposure with Kayleigh and Incommunicado, but didn't do so well with the singles from Seasons end (at least in the eyes of label executives!!), so they were pushed into making a more commercially viable album. The result is this here CD, Holidays in Eden, which although including a couple of true chart seekers (Cover my eyes, No one can, Dry land...) is NOT a pop album by any means (just give a listen to The party, Splintering heart or the CD closing trio of This town/The rakes progress/100 nights. What it did end up being is an excellent collection of music and a tremendous sophomore outing by h.

As for the second CD, it includes a few demos, a great acoustic version of Cover my eyes (maybe even better than the original version), and a few extra tracks like How can it hurt, A collection (both included in the U.S. release of the album), Sympathy, I will walk on water (both included in the Six of one, half a dozen of the other compilation), You don't need anyone, Eric and The epic.

Ever heard 'A Collection'? An absolutely haunting, achingly beautiful song, with an absolutely chilling meaning. I listen to it over and over, and always get chills!