Marillion - An Hour Before its Dark

thumpingrug

Released a couple of weeks ago I've been listening to little else since.  Full of great melodies, fantastic guitar solos and some heart rending lyrics. Its also grabbed some great reviews from the media.

Anyone else here given it a listen?

bloodandtears

yeah, bought tickets for the next tour..

some decent stuff on there, all growers as usual.. 

axisus

I've had a difficult relationship with Marillion.

The Fish era was the musical love affair of my life. The Hogarth era just hasn't been that good for me. I own 8 albums from the second 'period', and none of them move me. The only track post-Fish that I think is brilliant is Easter.

I really wanted to still love the band, but the musical style changed and it just wasn't what rocked me any more. I thought I was done with them but then there was tons of hype over F.E.A.R. being brilliant, so I bought it. It was yet another 'OK' album that didn't excite me. So yeah, lots of hype around the new one but I think I will resist buying. I'm a massive prog fan and there are bands that I find a lot more interesting and inspiring - Pendragon, Lifesigns and Big Big Train to name three.

I'm sure it's a good album, and I always wish the band success, but they don't play music that moves me. I'd be way more interested in another Steve Rothery solo album, the last one was superb.

And for the record, I didn't find Fish's solo career interesting either! 

digitalkettle

thumpingrug said:

Released a couple of weeks ago I've been listening to little else since.  Full of great melodies, fantastic guitar solos and some heart rending lyrics. Its also grabbed some great reviews from the media.

Anyone else here given it a listen?

I was just thinking of posting something like this.

I wasn't sure at first but now I have to listen to it every day...takes a while to open up...fantastic album again!

Fuengi

Not yet. I bought "With Friends from The Orchestra" on vinyl recently and was surprised how on top form and create that album is.

They really are fabulous musically, albeit sometimes a little too earnest lyrically. 

Grumpyrocker

axisus said:

I've had a difficult relationship with Marillion.

The Fish era was the musical love affair of my life. The Hogarth era just hasn't been that good for me. I own 8 albums from the second 'period', and none of them move me. The only track post-Fish that I think is brilliant is Easter.

I really wanted to still love the band, but the musical style changed and it just wasn't what rocked me any more. I thought I was done with them but then there was tons of hype over F.E.A.R. being brilliant, so I bought it. It was yet another 'OK' album that didn't excite me. So yeah, lots of hype around the new one but I think I will resist buying. I'm a massive prog fan and there are bands that I find a lot more interesting and inspiring - Pendragon, Lifesigns and Big Big Train to name three.

I'm sure it's a good album, and I always wish the band success, but they don't play music that moves me. I'd be way more interested in another Steve Rothery solo album, the last one was superb.

And for the record, I didn't find Fish's solo career interesting either! 

I was the other way around. Never particularly liked the Fish era. But Brave is one of my all time favourite albums. 

I'd love a new Rothery album, Ghosts of Pripyat is amazing. 

digitalkettle

Signed vinyl, baby!

thumpingrug

digitalkettle said:

Signed vinyl, baby!

I went for the deluxe CD/ DVD signed edition.   Good choice

thumpingrug

UK weekend and tickets for Brighton in September for me

Kittyfrisk

digitalkettle said:

Signed vinyl, baby!

Cool, but does being square & without a spindle hole not cause issues with your deck 

digitalkettle

Kittyfrisk said:

Cool, but does being square & without a spindle hole not cause issues with your deck 

I'm glad I figured it out and removed the record before putting it in the frame

Philly_Q

Grumpyrocker said:

I'd love a new Rothery album, Ghosts of Pripyat is amazing. 

I didn't realise that was about Chernobyl.  It felt a bit weird reading about it just now.

JCA2550

I received it this week but haven't given it a spin yet. Mark Kelly's Marathon album last year was a pleasant surprise, it really is very good indeed, lyrically and musically. 

Enjoyed FEAR and years ago Afraid of Sunlight rekindled my interest in the band.

I enjoyed Ghosts of Pripyat very much.

JohnCordy

My wife is on that album in the choir!

thumpingrug

JohnCordy said:

My wife is on that album in the choir!

That is very cool.  

digitalkettle

thumpingrug said:

JohnCordy said:

My wife is on that album in the choir!

That is very cool.  

Yeah...the choir and various BV moments really add something!

digitalkettle

thumpingrug said:

UK weekend and tickets for Brighton in September for me

Just got tickets for Sheffield

digitalkettle

digitalkettle said:

thumpingrug said:

UK weekend and tickets for Brighton in September for me

Just got tickets for Sheffield

Tonight! Anyone seeing/seen them on this tour?

Pjon

axisus said:

I've had a difficult relationship with Marillion.

The Fish era was the musical love affair of my life. The Hogarth era just hasn't been that good for me. I own 8 albums from the second 'period', and none of them move me. The only track post-Fish that I think is brilliant is Easter.

I really wanted to still love the band, but the musical style changed and it just wasn't what rocked me any more. I thought I was done with them but then there was tons of hype over F.E.A.R. being brilliant, so I bought it. It was yet another 'OK' album that didn't excite me. So yeah, lots of hype around the new one but I think I will resist buying. I'm a massive prog fan and there are bands that I find a lot more interesting and inspiring - Pendragon, Lifesigns and Big Big Train to name three.

I'm sure it's a good album, and I always wish the band success, but they don't play music that moves me. I'd be way more interested in another Steve Rothery solo album, the last one was superb.

And for the record, I didn't find Fish's solo career interesting either! 

This is me, as well.

I've tried and tried to enjoy post-Fish Marillion but really struggle. I think it was last year, one of the prog magazines had a best-ever-prog list and both Marillions popped up everywhere on it, so I listened to those newer tracks but found it all a bit boring and samey. I listened to the last album in full, but didn't enjoy. I think there is a lack of energy and not the same lyrical playfulness that Fish could add.

I haven't seen them live since Fish left, but have seen him a few times when he's played locally. (I'd probably watch Marillion if they were very local, tbh.) I normally bump into exactly the same people at every Fish gig and the crowd dwindles every time. I always feel a bit sad - this is a band that played to 10s of thousands but now their most influential ex-member struggles to get a hundred people into an old church hall. But, having said previously that Fish could bring a lyrical playfulness, I thought that Weltschmerz was almost unlistenable in its gloominess!

Anyway, this waffling feels a little like therapy - must put Fugazi on when I get home.  

bloodandtears

digitalkettle said:

digitalkettle said:

thumpingrug said:

UK weekend and tickets for Brighton in September for me

Just got tickets for Sheffield

Tonight! Anyone seeing/seen them on this tour?

Saw them at blackburn, very enjoyable. 

thumpingrug

I’m in Brighton now.  Gig tomorrow.   

You have to remember that Fish left over 30 years ago.  It’s not the same band. They have evolved

Fish isn’t fish anymore and he will readily admit that. 

I like hogarths take on the world, Steve Rothery still plays with a past that few can match and the whole band still make music that is relevant and new. If it’s not for you fair play.  Go watch macca or jagger or Gilmore knocking out the same stuff year after year.