Product Description

Marillion were at the forefront of the brief progressive rock revival of the 80s, and as such had to endure constant critical carping about their similarities to Genesis. Led at this stage of their career by Fish, they reached a creative and commercial peak with this 1985 release, a concept album based loosely around the singer's childhood. What saved the album from empty bombast was Marillion's sudden emergence as a skilled and melodic rock group, exemplified by the UK hit single "Kayleigh". While nothing else on the album was quiteable to match this song, the rest is still worthy of re-investigation.

Track Listing

1. Pseudo Silk Kimono
2. Kayleigh
3. Lavender
4. Bitter Suite
5. Heart Of Lothian
6. Waterhole (Expresso Bongo)
7. Lords Of The Backstage
8. Blind Curve
9. Childhood's End
10. White Feather

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6914 in Music
• Released on: 2000-09-04
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Contemporary critics of Marillion labelled them as clones of Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, based largely upon their extended songs, a prominent and Mellotron-influenced keyboard sound, distinctive other-worldly album artwork and the deeply fantastic and/or romantic lyrics of their Scottish frontman Fish. Initially a cult band appealing mainly to lovers of progressive rock, with the somewhat softer sound of Misplaced Childhood they came to the attention a much wider audience after the success of the single Kayleigh. With two continuous "suites" of music, one covering either side of the original LP, this album actually bears a much closer relation to The Wall-era Pink Floyd; like it, the music, although tuneful and expertly played, serves mainly as an emotional framework for a vehemently personal set of lyrics. Sometimes, as on the opening "Pseudo Silk Kimono", the lyrics are pretentious and empty; elsewhere, as on "Blind Curve", they are searching and punchy. Fish refined his vision to a peak on Marillion's next album Clutching At Straws, an often masterful examination of self-deception and self-loathing, before leaving the band for a solo career. --James Swift

Customer Reviews

A Misplaced Classic
An album more famous for it's great single "Kayleigh" than as an album, which is a shame. A fine blend of stylised metal and progressive rock, Marrilion conjure up a sound which is unusual, but strangely listenable. Not as inaccessible as Yes, but a progressive milestone, none-the-less. This album, whilst dark, is incessantly uplifting - the melancholy themes and overtones dissolve into great, strident riffs and solos, and the album seems to regularly take-flight. A deeply creative 'concept' album which takes the listener on a journey of redemption and discovery - a mini-fairytale mixed with some real world emotional strife. I love the way the music evolves from track to track, and the way that the rhythm time-signature changes are achieved.

The album is in two halves (ie two long tracks, sub divided into songs) which at times feels slightly rushed (perhaps this should have been a double album?), and not as smooth as (say) Pink Floyd or Yes (who are the masters of two-track-albums), but does lend a feeling of coherency to the album and hangs the reciprocating themes together. Almost symphonic in structure, it does benefit to being listened to in one go, with no distractions - then the whole thing makes a lot more sense. The production is clear and taut, hiding the albums age (20yrs now!) extremely well.
If you like rock, but want to dabble in the murky waters of prog, this is a great place to start. If you're a fan of classic progressive rock, then you'll already have this anyway, because "classic" is where it belongs. A milestone from a great band, criminally overlooked.

Simply sensational!!

This album has to be summed up in one simple word: 'sensational'!

'Do you remember...'

The year was 1985, and a group that had been around for ages, and was not really my cup of tea seemed to suddenly have a string of chart hits, and all of a sudden I liked everything they did!

The beautiful intro. of 'Pseudo Silk Kimono' melts into the massive chart smash 'Kayleigh' that really turned 1985 into Marillion's most memorable year! After yet another hit in 'Lavender' we are then sent into the fabulous 'Bitter Suite' collection that leads into the thrill which is 'Heart Of Lothian'. The real climax of the album has to be the sensationally 'high' that is brought via the track 'Childhoods End?' that makes you feel like flying when the tears are rolling down your cheeks at the same time! Like the whole collection of rich and expensive pieces that are found here; the artwork is of tremendous importance to this package that is absolute perfection! The fantastic and unique voice of Fish is so sincere; he makes the subliminal lyrics really penetrate the soul that have such a tremendous impact on the listener.

Truly an album to treasure for those personal moments when one wishes to 'escape'.

Five stars!

Brilliant
I bought this LP (yes LP) in 1986 and the CD a few years later. One word, brilliant! Up there with the Floyd, Genesis and The Beatles as far as concept albums are concerned. Buy this if you have at least one musical bone in your body.