Customer Reviews

Less Is More

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

 

 

Just when you think prog rock icons Marillion can't possibly do anything more creative than their last cd, they pull another rabbit out of the hat and the recently released, "Less is More" is just that and a testament to the cd's title.

Indeed, they speak the truth.

Taking previously recorded tracks and stripping them down, rearranging the music and looking at songs with 3D goggle glasses, you have a provocative cd that manages to sound like a collection of new songs vs. a reinvention of past ones. That is the true beauty of "Less Is More".

Re-releases always seem to hold tremendous promise and then fall short once you press play. You'll find some differences and maybe a change in production but rarely do you find diverse arrangements, new instruments, and vocals that work harmoniously and yet simultaneously pay homage to the original and varying it enough to make you feel you have doubled your aural pleasure.

All of this is especially commendable as Marillion has built their reputation on a bigger than life sound by embracing the use of state of the art electronic sequencers, midi and complex arrangements that lend themselves to an electric context.

Easy would be to stay wrapped in that electric blanket, but Marillion proves that easy isn't always the best choice and that sometimes you can find a new "voice" when you are stripped of any artifice.

4.5 Stars- Kim Thore All Access Magazine

I so badly want to give this 3 stars. This is very much a step backwards for Marillion. I have nothing against the "Less is More" concept and have nothing against acoustic versions of songs. I even have the Steve Rothery side project The Wishing Tree which is very acoustic (although those are acoustic to begin with).

To me, when one is going to do a release like this, it would be a good idea to not only make the song different but perhaps better? In this case, most of songs are not very enjoyable when compared to their original. The album doesn't start good by butchering one of favorites, Go. I figured it could only get better. It did not. To me, there are only 3 good songs on here and that is Hard as Love, If My Heart Were a Ball, and the "hidden track", Cannibal Surf Babe. The bonus songs of Runaway and the cover of Fake Plastic Trees add nothing as does the one new track "It's not your fault" - what I think is actually the worst track.

I've been a fan of Marillion since BEFORE their first release (1982) - that is not a common thing for a U.S. resident. They have certainly had their share of ups and downs but this was very much a misfire. It hurts to have to give my favorite band 2 stars.

I love this band. I don't hate H and I did love Fish. Marillion with Hogarth have made fantastic music we never would have heard from the Fish led group. They say if it's too loud you're too old. What if it's too slow?
That's my problem with the last few issues from these guys. Anything from Script for a Jester's Tear through [...] are fantastic. Songs that stay with you and some actual fast-paced songs that don't make me think about a bottle of pills and a noose. Anoraknophobia had my favorite song " Seperated Out" but was when the slide toward ssssllllllloooooooooooooooowwwwwwww songs really started. There's no real build toward anything. They still play great and I think Steve Rothery is one of the most underrated guitarist around. H can still sing. Mark, Ian and Pete ( especially ) are still fantastic at their instruments and i just wonder why I hate this new stuff so much. It's just really boring.
This album is just more of the same. I don't usually do live or remixed stuff so I didn't have much hope for this anyway. If you must buy everything that they put out you're going to hate this review and me so I renounce my candidacy for Marillion Fan Club President. I will still listen to the old stuff and hope for better days.

Less = More is a fine way to explore some fantastic music in a new way. I'm not sure this is the track listing that fans would have submitted, but I have to say the songs included have been re-imagining very well.

I would agree that Marillion's output of late has been lacking in the fast-paced melodic songs that marked the early Hogarth-era works and that has been disappointing. However, that said, that's not what this new CD is about.

There is drama here and in some cases, (Interious Lulu for one), the results surpass the original in many ways.

My only fault is that with the deconstruction of these songs, some of the musical exposition is lost. "Out of this World" is an all-time Marillion classic and the original is layered with many melodic textures. While the overall muscianship is not lost with the re-imagining, the song feels somewhat cut short.. There's more to tell here.

Overall, this is a fantastic addition to their catalog and I highly recommend it.

I am a hardcore Marillion fan since the mid-80's, a Web UK member, and I buy everything they put out. I am usually not a fan of stripped down acoustic versions of music I love, and this CD confirms my position. I love Marillion and don't like to say anything negative about them, but as I listened to this CD I realized I would rather just be listening to the regular versions of each of these songs. Some fans may really like this a lot, but it's just my opinion that they don't need to do this with their otherwise amazing music. It's just a personal opinion and I'm not trying to dissuade any fan from purchasing this. I still am glad I have it as part of my Marillion collection, but I will surely listen to their other CD's before this. I also will probably choose "Unplugged at the Walls" or "A Piss-Up in a Brewery" before this one if I'm in the mood for the stripped down Marillion. I like the track listing on those two better than this CD. I did just receive my "Snow De Cologne" DVD you get with the Web UK membership and that is Amazing!!!

I was pleasantly surprised by this release. Someone had told me that this was an "Acoustic" release - and was prepared for songs with not much substance - but was surprised by what I heard. Different instrumentation altogether - on the softer side and the lighter side of percussion - but different enough from the originals that these tracks really stand out. In fact, I want to go back to the original versions and see which version I like better but I'm inclined to say that the versions included here really are an improvement over the original. Be aware of the hidden track of "Cannibal Surf Babe" that is interesting. Two previously unreleased tracks on the CD are also enjoyable - even though "It's Not Your Fault" lacks a little bit of depth and is a bit repetitious (how many times can you possibly say the refrain in one song). They take tracks all the way back to the beginning of the Hogarth years - which I thought was interesting. They seemed to pull at least one track from every release that Hogarth did. Altogether this eclectic compilation is definitely worth having and is not just another "greatest hits" release. If you like the "harder" style Marillion this release is not for you - but if you like something on the mellower side and also "tame" then you will be pleased.

I have been a fan since 1986 and have always been surprised by their unique sound. Marillion has followed a trajectory that goes with the times. It is music for intelligent people. The new arrangements should baffle all fans who have witnessed their change thru the years. Their sound is tantalizng and embracing. Enjoy!!

I buy everything of Marillion's as this is a superb, refined band with true integrity. Never expect "more of the same" from Marillion as you'll be disappointed. But there is the thread that powers through each of their CD's and I can only attempt to describe it, inadequately, as constant growth! The boys are completely true to themselves and, having been together for about 20 years, they've become virtuosos at their craft. It's so rare to find longevity in the "pop" world and so satisfying to see that this can be the result - may they never hang up their instruments! This CD is a re-visiting of some of their previously recorded songs and, once again, the band doesn't stand still so you get to hear a re-interpretation that's true to who they are, but illustrates the fact that the band has grown up since they first wrote and performed these beautiful songs. Marillions CD, Marbles, to me is still the benchmark for this group - mesmerising and outstanding, but this one is gentle and beautiful and really allows me to listen to the words - very, very satisfying.

If you like Marillion and if you REALLY know their work for the last 20 years, you'll love this album. But if you still on 80's, avoid it. Go back to the cave.

If you are a Marillion fan, or not, this is worth considering. A great album. It shows once again how diverse the band is.