New Album Review: Marillion - Happiness Is The Road

The late, great Frank Zappa once noted, "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." I completely agree with him. But I also figure that reviewing stuff is fun, and it might inspire other people to check out some pretty cool stuff, so thus this blog.

I'm going to start out with a review of Marillion's new double LP Happiness Is The Road, released just a few weeks ago. As this is Marillion's 15th studio album, it's pretty hard to not let albums 1-14 color my views here. Marbles (2005) was nothing short of brilliant (I'd rank it in my top 3 or 4 Marillion albums), but they followed that up with last year's Somewhere Else, which is hands down my least favorite Marillion album.

And now here comes a new one so soon afterwards--and a double album at that. Needless to say I approached this new entry cautiously, though still caved in and bought the expensive Deluxe Pre-order version of the album anyway (the packaging is stunning--kudos to Carl Glover for another fine job). And the result...

Absolutely blown away. A real return to form for the boys, and surely an entry in my end of the year Top 10 of 2008. Not so much a double album as two distinct single albums, with two different vibes.

The first disc (titled Essence) is one great big piece of music, and very strong. They haven't tried this sorta thing since Brave, and I was really happy to see them give it another go. I'm particulary impressed with just how well everything holds together--it isn't 10 songs with some transition effects between them. Everything from the lyrics to the choice of tones used on the instruments really feel cohesive. The overall tone is very low key, down tempo, and textural, but at the same time being very melodic. The first couple of listens I really felt like I was just kinda floating along through the album as I focused in on just enjoying the mood. Highlights for me were "Liquidity," "Wake Up"(I love the abrupt shift in tone towards the beginning), and "Trap The Spark," but it really does feel like one song and should probably be treated as such.

The second disc (titled The Hard Shoulder) is a collection of the material that didn't really fit on the first disc. I'd say that this one isn't quite as strong as the first disc, but is nonetheless a great listen. Overall we're looking at a more upbeat affair than Essence was, but while still being Marillion. Particular highlights here are "Asylum Satellite #1" (love the build up to the end where H sings "We can see the madness perfectly from here"), "Whatever Is Wrong With You" (Marillion usually sucks at trying to do catchy rockers, but I love this one), and "Real Tears For Sale."

This is exactly the sort of album I love. It starts out being pretty good, and then slowly sneaks up on you the more you listen to it as you start noticing all of the little details in the production and the melodies start to stick with you. Love the way it sounds too. Everything has its own distinct spot in the mix, and Pete's bass tone sounds particularly nice.

My big complaint with this album is Steve Rothery. Where is he? Where are the solos? His role on this one is very subdued, and I've gotta admit that I'm a little disappointed by that. I know that H is constantly trying to shed the neo-prog label that the band built up back in the Fish days, but a few guitar solos wouldn't have hurt.

Overall, a true return to form. Perhaps not as good as Marbles or Brave, but definitely a product of the same band that made those masterpieces. I'm seriously looking forward to Marillion Weekend if Montreal this February now!