Marillion Dvd

Live performance by prog-rockers Marillion, recorded in the summer of 1987, when they were basking in the success of 'Kayleigh', their biggest hit to date. Original vocalist Fish leads the band through renditions of their latest successes, as well as old favourites such as 'Script For a Jester's Tear'…

This lavish box set assembles all of the Fish-era singles released by Marillion, the undisputed leaders of the neo-prog movement. Clearly the stuff of manic collectors' dreams, this will far exceed both the interest and budget of casual listeners; but for those keen to possess a truly special heirloom to commemorate their heroes, this will fit that description quite nicely.

Once upon a time, Marillion was unmistakably a prog band. But by the dawn of the 21st century, it was becoming increasingly clearer that the group was shedding their early prog direction in favor of melodic pop (akin to Radiohead's more focused and mainstream moments, or even comparable to Coldplay, if Chris Martin and co. were a tad more askew). This is especially evidenced by the first half of their 2008 double album, Happiness Is the Road (issued as two separate releases, "Volume 1: Essence" and "Volume 2: The Hard Shoulder"). By this point, the group's devoted cult following awaits each release with baited breath, and both neither volume should disappoint their post-Fish era fans - especially on the simply soaring title track from Vol. 1…

Seeming to maintain some of the alternative pop style of its predecessor Radiation, this album also seems to hark back to an older Marillion era while still reaching into the future. The band really seems to be working at creating a new niche for itself in a more modern rock field, while still pulling in some of its legacy. Among the influences that appear on this disc are such diverse artists as Jellyfish, Yes, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, and ELP. It is a very entertaining album that really grows on you. The musicians are Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, and Ian Mosley.

Afraid of sunlight was Marillion's first real progressive album since Fish had left the band. While it does not rank as high as classics like Script for a Jester's Tear or Fugazi, it still has some very strong moments. "Cannibal Surf Babe" is a tribute to the '60s (sort of). It starts off like the Beach Boys' "California Girls" before turning into the nightmarish tale of a cannibal woman! But the best moments are in the second half of the album, with tracks such as "Out of This World," "Afraid of Sunlight," and "King." As usual with Marillion, the keyboards stand out the most. There are some very beautiful melodic moments and perhaps a better mix between calm and agressive melodies than on previous albums made with Steve Hogarth.

Abandoning the acoustic approach of This Strange Engine, Marillion turns back toward the heavier sound of Afraid of Sunlight. Arguably influenced by Radiohead's 1997 album OK Computer, the album also shows a Beatles sound that lends more of a pop flavor than the band had shown before. "The Answering Machine," "These Chains" and "Under the Sun" are appealing tracks, while "Three Minute Boy," yet another Marillion examination of the impact of fame, contains some of Steve Rothery's best guitar work in years.

Faced with flagging sales on their first post-Fish release Season's End, progressive rockers Marillion paired themselves with pop producer Christopher Neil for 1991's Holidays in Eden. It wasn't exactly a move that paid either commercial or artistic dividends, as the results are so diluted and bland that one can only hope this was a desperate attempt to appease their label. There were several singles that charted in the U.K., but they could have been performed by anyone or, worse, in the case of the ringing guitars on "Cover My Eyes," it sounds as though they want to reinvent themselves as U2. It's a record that will surely disappoint fans of their more progressive work and, lacking a distinctive personality, hardly elicit excitement from newcomers.

MINOTAURUS were an obscure 70's band from Germany, who recorded 2 albums with only one ever being released "Fly Away". Inspired by the story of the Mintaurus living in King Minos' Labyrinth on Crete this 6 piece band deliver an album full of organ roaring progressive rock. This album although essentially a symphonic mindmelt does also blend in psych and space dimensions into their sound…