Customer Reviews

Marillion.Com

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Marillion are one of those bands that labors tirelessly in the interest of their music, without so much regard for popular success. The shame of it is, in a world where musicians' success was made by their devotion to craft, and their ability to make truly exciting music, Marillion would be very rich and famous people. marillion.com is full of wonderful songs, performed by the tightest band out there, with lyrics that hit you on multiple levels, music that is a thrill to listen to both the first time, and subsequent listens as it grows into your psyche.

This album is a sister to 1998's "Radiation" (two tracks in fact were held back from that album for new treatments here,) and yet is probably more consistently good, and integrated. Pop tracks like "Deserve", "Rich", and "Tumble Down the Years", while full of hooks, don't leave you feeling like you've been played; instead, the hooks make you pay attention to what's really going on in the song--like it should be. Then you'll listen to tracks like "Go", "Enlightened" and the 15-minute "Interior Lulu" and understand this is no ordinary, fad of the week, rock band.

You need to buy this album if you're a fan of good rock music of any kind, from 60s psychedelia, 70s progressive rock, 80's synth pop, to 90's Britpop. It's all here, and yet, never derivative of any of those genres, a new synthesis that is still somehow quintessentially Marillion.

I have been a hard core Marillion fan since 1884 and I have to say that, with the exception of "This Strange Engine", "Marillion.com" is the worst CD the band has released to date. I thought that the band might be back on track after "Radiation" which was the best CD since "Brave" (a CD which may be one of the best I'ver ever heard and which should be remembered along with "Misplaced Childhood" as one the band's greatest efforts). However, "Marillion.com just doesn't do it for me. The CD seems rushed and not a single track has the depth or quality that are typically of most of Marillion's work. Don't get me wrong, these tracks are still better than most of the garbage you will hear on top 40 radio, but this CD is no where near the quality of of Marillion's early years or of the better CD's they have released over the last 10 years. It should be noted that many of the newer fans, who have had less exposure to Marillion's other work, are giving this CD high marks. Do yourselves a favor and buy the remastered copies of "Childhood's End", "Clutching at Straws", Seasons End" and "Brave", and get "Radiation". You won't be disappointed and you will get to hear the neo-progessive rock at it's best. Better luck next time!

Many have derided Marillion for the pop-factor on Marillion.com. I actually enjoy well-done pop music, so I wasn't so apprehensive about getting this. Plus, I thoroughly enjoy Holidays In Eden, which is one of the band's "poppier" releases.

I initially enjoyed Marillion.com, aside from the contrived rock infusing "Built-In Bastard Radar," but I wanted to make sure my satisfaction wasn't ephemeral as it sometimes is with albums like this. So I wanted to give it plenty of time before reviewing it.

Now I can comfortably say that it's a good album, but not quite up to par with the best the band has to offer. Of course, the song in question is "Interior Lulu," the 15-minute epic. Hogarth's singing at the beginning of it reminds of Tori Amos (that's good!). The second passage begins with some off-the-wall keyboards that remind me of a carnival funhouse (that's bad!). All in all, though, it's a very satisfying epic that takes a good deal of time to fully sink in, with a wonderful Rothery solo at about 8 & 1/2 minutes into it and all the tight instrumental interplay that's characteristic of this band.

As for the other cuts, I have no compunctions about saying that Marillion knows how to write good, commercially viable songs (although none of it would ever get on the radio). The opener, "A Legacy," is a great song that's easy to sing with. The ballad "Go!" highlights the emotive power of Hogarth's voice, in sharp contrast to the preceding track "Deserve," which is a more insistent rocker with a great hook. "Rich" is similarly catchy, and "Tumble Down the Years" is a beautiful song with an incredible chorus. The album comes to an end with "House," the 10-minute song that feels much shorter than 10-minutes. It's sort of surreally jazzy and mellow...and great way to bring things to an end. I wouldn't miss "Built-In Bastard Radar" if it suddenly vanished off the face of the album. Although there are some interesting melodies, it seems a little forced and Hogarth's voice on the chorus is suffocated by the arrangement.

It's a little shallower than works like Afraid of Sunlight and Brave, and in some ways it might be a little too unlike their other work, but .com is a great album from a band that continues to grow and impress.

The 11th Marillion album, the the 7th featuring Steve Hogarth sees the band seemingly in more refelective mood as we end the 20th century.

Anyone who labours under the impression that Marillion belong in the 80's need to listen to this to hear how the band have retain a fresh, inventive edge to their own style of music that holds it's own with bands like Radiohead and Travis.

Hogarths vocals shine and is able complimented by Steve Rothery's driving guitar and Mark Kelly's strong keyboards. Pete Trewavas and Ian Mosely also combine to provide a ruthm section bands would die for.

Highlights include "Go!", "Deserve" and "Interior Lulu", the latter a nod towards the Marillion epics of old and a great song albiet marred by a bonkers keyboard bit in the middle.

It's not an album that makes an immediate impression, but like good wine it matures with time.

It's shame the music media treats Marillion with contempt - their job is to report and highlight good music and by continually shunning Marillion, they're *not* doing their jobs...

Marillion have never been a band scared of re-inventing themselves, and this is again true in the change of gear from 'Radiation'. Few people who know the group's music will be disappointed with the result - the members work together to create a collection of songs that as a whole represent a musical journey that is as exciting as it is varied.

The opening track 'A Legacy', is a fine starting point; the music grows out of nowhere to unfold into a powerful guitar-led melody. The tracks are arranged in an order that involves and leads the listener on a magical mystery tour with Hogarth at the helm. There are poppy elements, such as 'Deserve', but which do no disservice to the band, and rather, demonstrate their ability to cross the boundaries of genres, and refusing as ever to be pigeon - holed.

I can't finish the review without at least a nod in the direction of the magnificent epic 'Interior Lulu', but would like to add a personal recommendation to the melodies and structure and musicality of 'Tumble down the Years' and the final, reflective song, 'House'.

It's not the best entry point to Marillion's work, perhaps, and the title came about two years too late to be particularly clever, but it's a great album nonetheless. The second CD (not included - you have to request it from Racket Records) has video content in the form of live performances, including a mellow bass + vocal version of 'The Bell in the Sea', and band interview / documentary.

In their 11 studio-album career, Marillion have managed four albums which are excellent from start to finish: Misplaced Childhood, Season's End, Afraid of Sunlight, and now Marillion.com. The experimentation done on "Radiation" has come to fruition in this set of songs which balances the old and the new perfectly.

Marillion is one of those strange bands that seem to care more about the music than about the money or the fame (although they deserve to have them too!). This CD is no exception to that norm.

The lads have once again reinvented themselves and produced yet another extraordinary piece of music.

As for the tracks:
'A legacy': starts off very slowly and softly, and then breaks into guitar-keyboard riff
'Deserve': not really my favorite, but good nonetheless. Includes the use of a saxophone ("they look like they're having fun")
'Go!': One of the best of the album. Very slow, haunting tune
'Rich': the 'pop' song of the CD (clapping included!). Not what I would call a *Marillion* song, but good anyways
'Elinghtened': Not really the love song, but puts you in that mood. The best lyrics of the album
'Built-in bastard radar': a straight rocker, with some of h's trippiest lyrics. A distant cousin to 'Gazpacho'
'Tumble down the years': a monster track, probably my favorite. Very strong, great chorus and an excellent guitar line throughout
'Interior Lulu' and 'House': two complex pieces of music, lasting over ten minutes each. They're a rich musical experience, with lots of changes, hooks and rythms...

All in all, a great album that you shouldn't miss.

As an additional note, the inner sleeve of the album has pictures of a couple hundred fans who sent them in. Marillion is perhaps the band that relates most to its fans, including us in almost all of their work, asking opinions and feedback. These lads are like family...!

This album will most likely go down in history, like many Marillion discs, as the greatest album nobody heard. And that's a shame, because very few bands these days could write a song like "go!" and make it work as well as it does here. I can't think of any band today that could write something like "Interior Lulu" and not have the PR people pulling their hair out because it's not single-worthy. Bands come and musicians go...but these guys are artists in every sense of the word, and marillion.com is easily one to be hung in the gallery alongside Afraid of Sunlight and Clutching at Straws.

...quite simply, the best Marillion Album since "Brave". In a week that *finally* saw the release of The Flower King's "Flower Power" CD in the States, I thought it couldn't get much better...then I *finally* found this CD at the local shop and was completely blown away.

H really shines on this album; Steve Rothery's playing is not only back in true form (after the disappointing "Radiation" CD), but has hit new heights; Mark Kelly's keyboards, as always, shine; Pete and Ian's bass/drum combo are better than ever.

What's terriffic about this CD? Everything! The production, the lyrics, the diverse musical styles on display...not one single bad song on this CD. Highlights (imho, anyway): The wonderfully poppy "Rich" and "Tumble Down The Years", introspective "House", the epic "Interior Lulu".

If you thought the band went South with "Radiation" (like I did)...please note that they are back with a vengence! THIS IS MARILLION AT THEIR FINEST.

Do not walk...RUN and buy this CD! Or save yourself the leg cramps, some tax, and (insert shameless plug here) buy it at Amazon...just make sure you get the Overnight Delivery...you cannot afford to wait to hear this album!

Calling all Marillion fans...let everyone know that this is the Marillion album the US has been waiting for. Poppy, yet complex! "Rich," "Deserve," "Tumble Down the Years," and "a Legacy" are sure to win new fans. I'd classify marillion.com as a mainstream album, though how can any of us classify this great band? If the Radiation CD comprised Marillion's experimental effort to grunge an audience, then marillion.com leads one to think that the band has finally come upon the magic formula of music that satisfies the old Fish-heads while showcasing Hogarth's magic voice!This album will leave all American Marillion fans dying for a US tour!