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Everytime
Marillion release a new recording the progressive rock community
relentlessly asks the same questions in regard to "how
progressive is the new album?" In as Marillion have continued
to meld numerous 'other' influences into their music aside
from prog, there is no doubt that the same concerns will be
raise about the bands direction especially in regards to the
possibility of abandoning "prog"...
The
newest and twelfth Marillion disc "Anoraknophobia"
is due to hit stores across the world and it's safe to say
that there's much here to make the older "Marillion-heads"
shake their heads in disappointment, as well as tracks that
will bring smiles to the faces of fans that jumped on Marillion's
train in the last five years.
Musically
speaking, the disc is across the board stylistically; from
brit-pop to blues, drum & bass, funk, hard rock, and yes,
even prog. What's especially new here is the extensive use
of drum and rhythm loops in addition to the muscular percussion
work of drummer Ian Mosely. Thankfully, however, the placement
is tasty and doesn't overshadow the acoustic drumming.
The
disc starts with an epic style piano intro and launches straight
into the very pop-oriented "Between
You and Me". It's certainly not the direction
you'd expect the track to go in after the classic prog style
piano intro, but it's not that awful either; straight ahead
4/4 meter with the usual pop-styled arrangement: verse-chorus-break-etc...
"Quartz"
is probably to be a hit with the older fans with it's
polychord-chorused guitar lines (ALA Rush's Alex Lifeson).
Guitarist Steve Rothery lays down a haunting and hooky lead
line that is classic "Steve".
"This
Is The 21st Century"
is heavily reminiscent of Porcupine Tree, with it's
psychedelically charged swirling guitar lines over keyboardist
Mark Kelly's lush synth strings, and foundation rattling bass
pedals. Track eight, "If My
Heart Were a Ball It Would Roll Uphill", finds
the band in even more unfamiliar territory with bassist Pete
Trewavas' heavily funky and riffy bass line that would not
be totally out of place on a Limp Bizkit disc. Mark my words
now, this is inevitably to be sampled by many and turned into
who knows how many more songs. Could this be Marillion's retirement
plan?
"Map
of the World" is Taylor-made for radio. A
very pop-styled tune with straight ahead tonic guitar chords,
and a very typical pop arrangement. Nothing particularly exciting
here.
Production from Dave Meegan is crisp and clean. The disc is
awash with all sorts of backing tape loops ALA Pink Floyd,
and with the reverberation similar to living in aquarium without
being irritating.
Vocalist
Steve Hogarth is in fine voice throughout. In the 12 years
since he joined the band, his voice is as strong as ever.
Lyrically, Hogarth writes his usual passionate and personal
lines such as "and
it's so easy for me to break down/ If I could jump a ride
between the skin and silicon..." and
" if the bottle's no solution why does it feel so
warm." Hogarth is like a faucet, lyrically
pouring out emotions as therapy...
Final
Words
"Anoraknophobia"
shows the band continuing to mine Radiohead and Porcupine
Tree styled art-rock with a pop sensibility. Fine performances
throughout by all members. Hardly and time changes and solo
breaks will keep it from being deemed "prog"; too
complex to be pop; too intelligent to be radio friendly. The
Marillion that have evolved 20+ years from the 80's progressive
revival have certainly continued to reinvent their sound.
The band escapes sounding too much like any other band and
being pigeonholed. This is to their advantage."Anoraknophobia"
is a recording that gets better with every listen from a band
that stubbornly refuses to be categorized.
-Eric
Louis
Progressiveland
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