Marbles (album)
Encyclopedia
Marbles is the 13th studio album from rock
band Marillion
, released in 2004
. Unlike their previous studio album, Anoraknophobia
(2001), which was financed largely by a preorder campaign, it was the publicity campaign that fans financed for the album. Those fans who pre-ordered the album received an exclusive 2-CD "Deluxe Campaign Edition" with a booklet containing the names of everyone who pre-ordered before a certain date. The public release date of the retail single-CD version of the album was May 3, 2004 while a plain 2CD version could still be obtained from the band's website. A limited (500 copy) edition was released on white multicoloured vinyl by Racket Records on 13 November 2006.
First single "You're Gone" reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart
, thus becoming their first UK top ten hit since 1987's "Incommunicado
". The follow-up single "Don't Hurt Yourself" peaked at #16.
3/5:
The Daily Telegraph
:
Powerplay:
The Star:
Classic Rock
4/5:
Guitarist
4/5:
Guitar magazine:
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
, released in 2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
. Unlike their previous studio album, Anoraknophobia
Anoraknophobia
Anoraknophobia is Marillion's 12th studio album, released in 2001. Following the success of their previous North American tour, underwritten by the band's fans themselves, Marillion turned to their fans to finance the making of Anoraknophobia, asking them to pre-order the album before it was even...
(2001), which was financed largely by a preorder campaign, it was the publicity campaign that fans financed for the album. Those fans who pre-ordered the album received an exclusive 2-CD "Deluxe Campaign Edition" with a booklet containing the names of everyone who pre-ordered before a certain date. The public release date of the retail single-CD version of the album was May 3, 2004 while a plain 2CD version could still be obtained from the band's website. A limited (500 copy) edition was released on white multicoloured vinyl by Racket Records on 13 November 2006.
First single "You're Gone" reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, thus becoming their first UK top ten hit since 1987's "Incommunicado
Incommunicado (song)
Incommunicado is the lead single of Marillion's fourth studio album, Clutching at Straws. Released 11 May 1987, it reached number six in the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's third top-ten hit, the last until 2004. It became a minor hit on the Dutch Top 40 reaching number 31...
". The follow-up single "Don't Hurt Yourself" peaked at #16.
Track listing
All songs written by Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, Ian Mosley.Disc 1
- "The Invisible Man" – 13:37
- "Marbles I" – 1:42
- "Genie" – 4:54
- "Fantastic Place" – 6:12
- "The Only Unforgivable Thing" – 7:13
- "Marbles II" – 2:02
- "Ocean Cloud" – 17:58
Disc 2
- "Marbles III" – 1:51
- "The Damage" – 4:35
- "Don't Hurt Yourself" – 5:48
- "You're Gone" – 6:25
- "Angelina" – 7:42
- "Drilling Holes" – 5:11
- "Marbles IV" – 1:26
- "Neverland" – 12:10
Single-CD version
- "The Invisible Man" – 13:37
- "Marbles I" – 1:42
- "You're Gone" – 6:25
- "Angelina" – 7:42
- "Marbles II" – 2:02
- "Don't Hurt Yourself" – 5:48
- "Fantastic Place" – 6:12
- "Marbles III" – 1:51
- "Drilling Holes" – 5:11
- "Marbles IV" – 1:26
- "Neverland" – 12:10
- Bonus track (in EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
): "You're Gone" (single mix) – 4:05 - Bonus track (in North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
): "Don't Hurt Yourself" (music video)
Personnel
- Steve HogarthSteve HogarthSteve Hogarth also known as "h", is the lead vocalist and occasional keyboardist/guitarist with the British rock band Marillion. Hogarth was formerly a keyboard player and co-lead vocalist with The Europeans and vocalist with How We Live...
– vocals - Mark Kelly – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Ian MosleyIan MosleyIan F. Mosley is a drummer in the progressive rock band, Marillion.Mosley joined the band in 1984 after a long search for a replacement of Mick Pointer, who had been left the band in 1983. Mosley had previously, among others, played with former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, both on two of his...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Steve RotherySteve RotherySteve Rothery is the guitarist of the English rock band Marillion. He was born in Brampton, South Yorkshire, England. From the age of six he lived in Whitby, North Yorkshire.-Biography:...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Pete TrewavasPete TrewavasPete Trewavas is an English musician. He joined Marillion in 1982, taking over the role of bassist, from Diz Minnett, while acting occasionally as a backing vocalist and acoustic guitarist.Although he was born in Middlesbrough, Trewavas spent much of his childhood in the Buckinghamshire town of...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Reception
The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
3/5:
“Marillion have been busy keeping the prog-rock spirit alive for 25 years. Fans have stood by them. Loyal pre-ordering of albums pays the band's recording costs, with the faithful rewarded by mentions in CD sleeves. But why do these parochial patrons love Marillion?
The glory days of FishFish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
and flights of lyrical fantasy are over. So now the band are aiming for windswept, organic rock and sound like a-haA-haA-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
meets RushRush (band)Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
in a rest home for acid casualties. But there's a lot to like. Angelina is a lovely hymn to a saucy breakfast show DJ.
You're Gone, all seven minutes of which is currently riding high in the singles chart - has the disillusionment and sweaty fervour of a middle-aged crisis. The devotion they inspire remains a mystery, but Marillion's happiness with their lot is irresistible.”
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
:
“Last Sunday saw the biggest chart upset of the year so far when a group of 40-plus rockers crashed into the singles top 10. Marillion’s previous career high had come as a mid-’80s band with a podgy singer called FishFish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
and a tremulous torch song called KayleighKayleigh"Kayleigh" was a number two UK hit for British neo-progressive rock band Marillion in 1985. It remains the group's most successful single in terms of chart position. The single was kept from the UK Number 1 spot by charity single "You'll Never Walk Alone" by supergroup The Crowd in the summer of...
(“Is it too late to say I’m sorry?”). But, since Fish left in 1988, the band have released nine albums of brooding adult/prog rock. Operating as a cross between Trotters Independent Trading Company and the MormonsMormonsThe Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
, they produce their albums from a pair of Portakabins and raise funds in advance from their legions of devoted fans (precisely 12,772 are credited on the Marbles sleevenotes, each having paid £30 up front for a copy). But Marillion have been ignored by radio and TV, something that this admirable but resolutely unfashionable album is unlikely to change. Displaying a knack for knob-twiddly production effects, the band run the gamut of AOR, from laboured prog-rock to toe-tapping country-lite via Simple MindsSimple MindsSimple Minds are a Scottish rock band who achieved worldwide popularity from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The band produced a handful of critically acclaimed albums in the early 1980s and best known for their #1 US, Canada and Netherlands hit single "Don't You ", from the soundtrack of the...
stadium-rousers. Marillion are the DIY bedroom DJs of earnest dad rock, and Marbles is to be recommended for diehard fans – if there are any left who haven’t bought one.”
Powerplay:
“I've been a fan of the Marillos since I first caught them at the '82 Reading Rock festival. I was there primarily for the likes of Iron MaidenIron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
and Blackfoot, but Marillion's early afternoon set was a blinding revelation, and I've followed them from that day to this. Now, let me be succinct: there are times during the Steve Hogarth era that I've lost faith in the band, their last (2001) studio album AnoraknophobiaAnoraknophobiaAnoraknophobia is Marillion's 12th studio album, released in 2001. Following the success of their previous North American tour, underwritten by the band's fans themselves, Marillion turned to their fans to finance the making of Anoraknophobia, asking them to pre-order the album before it was even...
left me stone cold, in fact thoroughly bewildered... Was this indie sounding thing really the Marillion I knew and loved? As a consequence, I had very few hopes or expectations at all of any future product but I'm now more than happy to prostrate myself at the band's feet and publicly chow down on a meal of humble pie, for in "Marbles", Marillion have created something really very special indeed. If it fits in anywhere amongst the band's past repertoire, it's as a distant cousin of "Brave": the themes, textures, and links all hint at that most extraordinary concept album. By now, if everything has gone to plan, you should have all have heard the debut single, the achingly beautiful "You're Gone", which should be scaling the upper echelons of the UK charts giving the band a top ten hit (or more) for the first time since the great albatross KayleighKayleigh"Kayleigh" was a number two UK hit for British neo-progressive rock band Marillion in 1985. It remains the group's most successful single in terms of chart position. The single was kept from the UK Number 1 spot by charity single "You'll Never Walk Alone" by supergroup The Crowd in the summer of...
, and also the first single to get anywhere near the charts cine the wonderful "Beautiful" gently tried to nudge them many moons ago now. To us a somewhat strange analogy, you could compare Marillion's music to a form of exercise: it may not have the impetus of jogging but it has the smooth liquid grace of yoga and the effects of long-term are far more lasting and beneficial... make of that what you will. Of course few albums stand or fall on the strength of a single and Marillion are positively spoiled for choice with an almost embarrassing wealth of timeless songs. It's still an album that is totally cutting edge but the band seem also to have drawn strands of influence from all of the best parts of the "H" era, melding all the magical elements together to stunning effect. Listening closely, I can hear other subtle nuances creeping in – Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Barclay James HarvestBarclay James HarvestBarclay James Harvest are an English progressive rock band. They were founded in Saddleworth, Lancashire, in September 1966 by John Lees, Les Holroyd, Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme , and Mel Pritchard .-History:...
, The CureThe CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, XTCXTCXTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
, and during "Drilling Holes" Hogarth fleetingly evokes the memory of Syd BarrettSyd BarrettSyd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
both lyrically and vocally. It's unnerving stuff and still the one song I find testing. Interestingly, "Don't Hurt Yourself' wouldn't sound out of place if played by Mostly AutumnMostly AutumnMostly Autumn is a British band, producing music heavily influenced by classic 1970s rock. The group formed in 1996, and have built their reputation through constant touring, never signing to a major label. The group's early influences were Genesis, Renaissance and Pink Floyd, and folk music...
, and the epic and emotionally powerful album coda "Neverland" can't help but draw comparisons to the Floyd at their most statuesque and emotional. Lush, perceptively elegant, powerful, coolly refreshing and emotionally charged. "Marbles" is a genuinely remarkable testament to Marillion's enduring creativity and crystal vision and Pete Trewavas, Ian Mosley, Mark Kelly, Steve Rothery, and Steve Hogarth have yet again proved that they are slaves to no-one, instead being prophets calling proudly in an uncaring musical wilderness. A study in mature brilliance, "Marbles" is indubitably a heavyweight contender for "Album Of The Year 2004" and in summation, all I can say is: gentlemen, I salute you.”
The Star:
“Some people thought they had lost them years ago... Fact is, 21 years on from their debut the archdeacons of prog-rock are very clued up. More so than many acts tied to major labels. After all, few can lay claim to a top 10 hit with no major backing other than the fiscal support of their fan base. Seven years after followers in the US had a whip round so the band could tour there, Marbles has been helped along by fans shelling out before the record was made. Not for the first time. You're Gone gave them a triumphant hit but, bar a catchy Don't Hurt Yourself, is as commercial as it gets. Donny boy Steve Hogarth's quality voice gives the likes of Invisible Man a dark, even operatic richness while the piano-led recurring Marbles song and atmospheric Angelina confirm Marillion are a very different band to the one a painted-face FishFish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
fronted in the '80s. The theme may be nostalgic, but the lesson is one labels should note: fan power matters.”
Classic Rock
Classic Rock (magazine)
Classic Rock is a British magazine dedicated to the radio format of classic rock, published by Future Publishing, who are also responsible for its "sister" publication Metal Hammer. Although firmly focusing on key bands from the 1960s through early 1990s, it also includes articles and reviews of...
4/5:
“For the early part of their career, Marillion were arguably over-rewarded (their second album FugaziFugazi (album)Fugazi is the second studio album of the neo-progressive rock band Marillion. It was released in 1984 and was the first album with Ian Mosley on drums. It reached no. 5 on the UK album charts, stayed on the chart for a total of 20 weeks and contained the UK top 40 singles Punch And Judy and...
, for example is probably their worst but it was a considerable hit), while their latter years have produced some bold and beautiful music that has been ignored by the commercial mainstream. But unfashionability brings its own comforts. Buoyed by a large cult following (13,000 people who've provided the up-front working capital will be rewarded with a name-check in the CD booklet and a special two-CD edition of the album) and with no idiot A&R man in their ear about demographics or hot producers, Marillion can simply make records. Which is what it's all about. Or should be. With 'Marbles', Marillion have played to their strengths and cut one of their very best records. It is in the style of Brave, their high-water mark, and it might yet exceed it. 'Marbles' is old-fashioned in the sense that it grows with each listen; the more you listen, the more you hear. It is mature and sincerely wrought, and a balm to the senses. The other great boon of unfashionability is that every so often, things turn back toward you. The trend at the moment is for album artists who offer some bang for your buck – a record that you're still going to want to play in a couple of months' time. 'Marbles' is certainly one of those. With their innate sense of drama and pomp tempered by a winning melancholy – there's an indefinable feeling of sadness to some of these songs – Marillion have produced a set of rich and vivid soundscapes. They've pulled off the great Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
trick, too: the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. Simple pop songs like 'You're Gone' and 'Don't Hurt Yourself' ease you through the richer dramas about them: The 'Invisible Man' and 'Neverland' – bookends for the record – are long and jagged in relief; 'Drilling Holes' offers some harshness to leaven the sweeter melodies. Taken in one go, these songs move over the whole like water on glass; there is less substance to them in isolation. The exception – and the exceptional track here – is 'Fantastic Place'. Grandiose and sad too, it's tooled out with the kind of Steve Rothery guitar solo that sounds as if it was recorded on a cliff top at sunrise, and it's sung exquisitely by Steve Hogarth. In all, it's the kind of thing that is beyond the reach of all but the best bands in the genre. That genre thing has been a bugbear of Marillion's, but it no longer seems relevant. What are RadioheadRadioheadRadiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
if not a progressive band? (And you can be sure that those little Oxford boys have a Marillion record or two in their collections.) And what are Pink Floyd, for that matter? Fans of either of those two bands would find much to enjoy in 'Marbles'. Ultimately, though, it's not a derivative record, and Marillion are no longer a derivative band. They are making strong, singular music with the courage of their convictions, and we should treasure them more than we do.”
Guitarist
Guitarist (magazine)
Guitarist is a monthly music making magazine published by Future Publishing in the United Kingdom. The magazine features reviews of newly released guitars, amplifiers and other equipment, plus interviews with guitar players, features on the guitar industry, news articles, and features on playing...
4/5:
“No-one could accuse Marillion of losing their marbles. Their musical sense speaks for itself while their business sense kept the band together and productive during difficult times with EMI. With all that behind them they have continued to produce great music but this latest epic is one of their best albums to date. And with a couple of tracks exceeding 12 minutes, epic is the word. Strong lyrics and superb performances all round, and much of it will translate well to live performances too. The single pull will be You're Gone and the remixed version is included as a bonus track. Lots of atmosphere here and Steve Rothery is well on form throughout. Standout tracks: Don't Hurt Yourself, Fantastic Place, You're Gone.”
Guitar magazine:
“The fact that the music press has largely deserted Marillion (who are now on their 13th studio album), has not deterred their fan base. For Marbles, like the previous few albums, was funded by the fans pre-ordering and paying for it a year in advance via the band's website. And listening to it we can understand the enterprising devotion. If you haven't been familiar with Marillion since, ooh, the Fish days, shake the cobwebs of 'prog' out of your mind and try opening it instead. Marbles is a brooding collection of cinematic mood music, flavoured by eastern, ambient, country, rock and folk influences. The lack of record company funding allows the band to throw away the rule book, with the result that some tracks clock in at over 13 minutes. For a more palatable starting point, check out the bittersweet, haunting Angelina or the radio-friendly You're Gone.”