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LonMelJr

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Marillion
14^th Jan, 2005 at 9:08am

Hi everyone -

I noticed that a lot of people seem to like Marillion. However, before I found this shoutcast, I never knew who they were (not a clue!). I heard some of the music played on the shoutcast and like it. I did research on the group and found it has a cult following, and generally struggles for money.

So, my question to you all - which album should I purchase first? What would display the band at its best in your opinion?

I appreciate everyones' input, for I don't really know where to begin.

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ProgMaster Stellar Owner Offline Stellar Attraction Posts: 3,777 British Isles Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #1 - 14^th Jan, 2005 at 4:13pm Take it away Silver ...
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silver

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Re: Marillion
Reply #2 - 14^th Jan, 2005 at 6:54pm

Hi there.

Now where do I begin on this one?

I won’t bore you with a band history or trying to describe the music. You just need to listen to it. Marillion seem to appeal to a wide range of people who’s other musical tastes stretch form Prog to Punk, Metal to New Romantic 80’s Pop, so your own musical taste isn’t necessarily important as to wether you will like them or not. Keep an open mind!

I would recommend the following albums:

Marbles Their most recent album from last year, and quite simply stunning. Shows off their knack for writing more conventional pop rock tunes (includes 2 hit singles) as well as 20 min prog epics and lots more in between. This is where the band are today so you may as well start with this.

Clutching at Straws However, if your only exposure to Marillion is via this site then chances are what you have heard has been something from this album. This is the bands fourth album (1987) and the last one with original frontman Fish.

Brave Dark concept album from 1994 considered by many fans (and to some extent the band as well) to be their best work.

Afraid of Sunlight A loose concept album dealing with the pitfalls of fame and celebrity. 8 songs with connecting themes as opposed to a story running through it.

Not sure what part of the world you are in, but getting hold of any Marillion music is easier doing it directly from the bands web site (and ensures the band get more money from the sale). http://www.marillion.com/racket/music.html

I hope enjoy the music of Marillion. But be warned; there’s a lot of catching up to do so this could become expensive. Visit the Marillion forum and say hi, we won’t bite. Grin

http://www.marillion.com/forum/index.php

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LonMelJr

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Re: Marillion
Reply #3 - 15^th Jan, 2005 at 1:02am

Haha - well. Thanks for the review. I know how it can be to describe one's favorite band, so I appreciate the brevity. I will probably go with clutching at the straws since it was the music on the site that I liked, so it should be a safe bet. I appreciate the input - hopefully the conversion rate to the dollar won't wipe out my bank account.

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ProgMaster

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Re: Marillion
Reply #4 - 16^th Jan, 2005 at 9:11am

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Clutching at Straws However, if your only exposure to Marillion is via this site then chances are what you have heard has been something from this album. This is the bands fourth album (1987) and the last one with original frontman Fish.

I have and play material from all of the 'Marillion' albums with 'Fish'.

When Fish left the group I have to admit to being more than a bit gutted. Apart from loving 'Marillion', they were the first band I saw live. I remember the English comedian 'Will Smith' ('Wife for William', 'The 11 o 'clock show') comparing Fish's departure from 'Marillion' with Margaret Thatcher's from the Tory Party ... Grin

I also remember buying the first 'post-Fish' album and not being very impressed at all ('Clutching at Straws' still remains my favourite). However, I have to admit that Silver has pointed-out the error of my ways - 'Marbles' truly is a fantastic album and I'm in the process of re-educating myself on this excellent band.

Silver - Why no inclusion of 'Misplaced Childhood' within your recommendations ?? Just curious - apart from the fact that this recording is closely on the heels of 'Clutching' as my favourite album of their's.

Cheers.

D.C.

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silver

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Re: Marillion
Reply #5 - 16^th Jan, 2005 at 7:54pm

There isn't a Marillion album I don't like, and some are obviously better than others. But as an introduction to the band, the four I have listed are IMHO the best. Misplaced Childhood is a brilliant album (this year is its 20th anniversary) and their most successful commercially, but I prefer Clutching at Straws. Maybe it's the darker subject matter(?)

Yeah, I was absolutely gutted too when Fish left the band. Here was the only band I had ever got into before the release of any records, who had then gone on to make something of themselves. And now their front man had left. But Marillion was never just Fish as I soon realised when Seasons End was released. As much as I couldn't imagine Marillion without Fish then, that feeling is tenfold for Steve Hogarth, although as already stated the band is more than just its singer.

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ProgMaster

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Re: Marillion
Reply #6 - 21^st Jan, 2005 at 2:00am

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Visit the Marillion forum and say hi, we won’t bite. http://www.marillion.com/forum/index.php

I've tried to sign-up to the 'Marillion Forum' twice now, without success on both occasions.. Apart from wanting my postal address (not sure why they would want that !?*) - which I gave but still didn't receive any feedback regarding login details ...

Shame.

D.C.

* Perhaps they've run a background check on me and discovered that I bought a 'Duran Duran' single back in the 80's and 'black-balled' me ?

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huntr_22 Watcher Of The Skies Offline Posts: 943 France Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #7 - 21^st Jan, 2005 at 5:57am i think marillion are one of my favourite progressive bands, they are superb whatever they do 8)
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LonMelJr Stellar Newbie Offline Posts: 28	Re: Marillion Reply #8 - 22^nd Jan, 2005 at 11:43pm They've a very nice band - I just received the album today actually. I don't think I was as blown away with it as I was when buying, say, close to the edge or foxtrot. But I'm sure after a few listens, Clutching At The Straws should grow on me.
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silver

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Re: Marillion
Reply #9 - 24^th Jan, 2005 at 4:15am

'Close to the Edge' and 'Foxtrot' are two absolute classics and it would take somethng very special to stand up against them on first listen. But give CaS a chance and I'm sure you will come to love it.
Now that you have taken your first dip into the world of Marillion you have two choices before you as your next move. Either go back in time and check out their three other studio albums with Fish (Misplaced Childhood, Fugazi, Script for a Jesters Tear) or to move forward and see how they sound today. I am assuming you have the 2 disc remastered CaS in which case some of the tracks on the second disc went on to appear on their next album 'Seasons End'. However Fish had then left the band so he took the lyrics with him and new singer Steve Hogarth along with lyicist John Helmer produced new lyrics for the music. So for example the muisc for 'Story from a Thin Wall' appears on 'Seasons end' as 'Berlin' and the lyrics as 'Family Business' on Fishs solo album 'Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirror' (This is probably too much information and should have appeared in the Trivia thread.)
What ever choice you make I am sure you will feel rewarded. And incidently, there isn't a right or wrong choice.
Grin

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ProgMaster Stellar Owner Offline Stellar Attraction Posts: 3,777 British Isles Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #10 - 24^th Jan, 2005 at 4:21am Quote: So for example the muisc for 'Story from a Thin Wall' appears on 'Seasons end' as 'Berlin' and the lyrics as 'Family Business' on Fishs solo album 'Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirror' (This is probably too much information and should have appeared in the Trivia thread.) Far from trivia in my opinion.
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huntr_22 Watcher Of The Skies Offline Posts: 943 France Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #11 - 24^th Jan, 2005 at 4:23am which is the best marillion recording to buy without the singer fish?
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silver Legacy Stellar DJ Offline At such speeds, things fly Posts: 607 Sunny Weymouth Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #12 - 24^th Jan, 2005 at 11:35pm See my post near the top of this thread for some answers to that question.
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ProgMaster Stellar Owner Offline Stellar Attraction Posts: 3,777 British Isles Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #13 - 25^th Jan, 2005 at 5:07am 'Marbles' really is a great album ...
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huntr_22 Watcher Of The Skies Offline Posts: 943 France Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #14 - 25^th Jan, 2005 at 7:07am thank you for the recomendation
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silver Legacy Stellar DJ Offline At such speeds, things fly Posts: 607 Sunny Weymouth Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #15 - 22^nd Mar, 2005 at 5:18pm The real lyrics to 'Ocean Cloud' ……………not! http://www.geocities.com/blindperv/oceancloud.html
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ProgMaster Stellar Owner Offline Stellar Attraction Posts: 3,777 British Isles Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #16 - 23^rd Mar, 2005 at 2:38am lol - like it Silver ... very funny indeed ...
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silver Legacy Stellar DJ Offline At such speeds, things fly Posts: 607 Sunny Weymouth Gender:	Re: Marillion Reply #17 - 13^th Apr, 2005 at 12:58am Marillion will play at this years Guilfest on July 17th. http://www.marillion.com/tour/index.html http://www.guilfest.co.uk/2005/html/home.htm Guess who'll be going to that then!
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tormatotork Astral Traveller Offline Posts: 68 The Planet Zarg	Re: Marillion Reply #18 - 22^nd Oct, 2005 at 10:40pm They are playing at the Forum in Kentish Town in December and I shall be there.
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tormatotork Astral Traveller Offline Posts: 68 The Planet Zarg	Re: Marillion Reply #19 - 6^th Nov, 2005 at 4:27am Additionally Kino, are playing on Dec. 16 at the Borderline
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