Marillion Album: “Six of One, Half-Dozen of the Other”

Marillion have been a long time favorite band of mine - so this review will be biased. This album is good for those who want to sample some of Marillion's best tunes. If you like rich, challenging melodies contrasted against a backdrop of variations then this album is worth buying. If you like this - try "Misplaced Childhood", "Brave" and the latest release "Radiation" . "This Strange Engine", "Seasons End" and "Fugazzi" are all 4 star efforts. If you like Marillion, other suggested listening: - Simple Minds ("Real Life", Sparkle in the rain") - Yes ("Fragile", "Close to the Edge") - Styx ("Paradise Theater") - Peter Gabriel ("So") - Genisis (earlier material) - Alan Parsons ("Tales of Mystery and Imagination", "Eye in the sky", "Stereotomy")

This is an interesting collection, as half of the songs have original vocalist/lyricist Fish and half have "new" vocalist Steve Hogarth. Fish split the band in 1988, and the differences in song structure and lyrical direction are obvious - though neither is superior. Marillion is an album band, and taking songs out of context with the time and space of the album isolates them - but they still stand on their own. US Prog fans will know the song Kayleigh - but little else. To go from the prog bombast of Assassing to the pure power pop of Hooks in You provides the listener with a wild, challenging trip. If you want to sample this great band, I recommend this collection. I think you'll find that you'll want to get the albums. I recommend "Clutching at Straws" from the Fish era and "This Strange Engine" and "Brave" from the current era.

I just recently bought this greatest hit's package and can say that I'm quite impressed. Strange enough, through the years I don't ever remember hearing any of these songs. I'd always heard of Marillion and the singer named Fish, but that was as far as it went. There's no doubt that these guys are very talented musicians. They're in the same vein as bands like Genesis and Alan Parson's Project. I really can't distinguish between the two different singers on this album, but the singing (whoever is singing) is all pretty good. Of all the songs, "Dry Land" would have to be my favorite--it's just one of the best songs I've heard in a long time--very well played and moving. I like the fact that Marillion infuses a nice progressive touch to a lot of the tunes on here--listenable but also challenging. The guitar and keyboard playing is also exceptional. Other good songs are "Kayleigh," "Assassing," and "Easter." This is a good introduction to this talented band and I'll probably get somemore of their stuff. I'm glad I bought this--give it a listen, it's a cut above the rest and is not disappointing.

The best CD that Marillion ever put out. Yes, it is made of their greatest with both singers, Fish and H, but this CD blew me away. "Sympathy" was a great way to end the recording.

This is the album that got me hooked on Marillion. I highly recomend it to anyone with a need for something formilliar yet different. Great for anyone on a budget who wants to expand there musical taste.