Marillion Album: “Somewhere Else”

Marillion's 14th studio album "Somewhere Else" is a promise well kept. As with Anoraknaphobia, Marbles, and others..I was originally a bit disappointed when I first heard sound clips for "Somewhere Else". Alas, any die hard Marillion fan knows that clips and first listens are absolutely meaningless. So like a good boy, I gave "Somewhere Else" many a listen before submitting my review...and the album is remarkable..further demonstrating Marillion's level of musical creativity, craftsmanship and genius. As with other Marillion albums, "Somewhere Else" takes us on a grand, emotional journey that guarantees us raw energy, unspeakable beauty, haunting passages, and even a few rough spots ('Most Toys' if you haven't already guessed). Highlights include the heavenly "Voice From the Past" ( an epic track that nearly had me in tears) and otherworldly title track "Somewhere Else". "No Such Thing" is a dreamy bit of psychedelia that shows how truly unique and creative Marillion is. "The Wound" is a haunting number that turns and winds in true Marillion fashion.. with more listenings it may end up my favorite track. The opener.."the Other Half" is emotionally intense with an absolutely beautiful atmospheric ending. The album ends with the beautiful, subtle, folky "faith"..an amazing track that is perfect for this album. So "Somewhere Else" can rightfully take its place as another Marillion masterwork...right there with "Marbles" and "Anorak"..with the boys all working in perfect harmony to create pure magic. "Somewhere Else" may not feel as polished as "Marbles" yet it is more complex, targeting deeper emotions as we got with "Afraid of Sunlight". If you are new to Marillion or a current fan..please, please, PLEASE give "Somewhere Else" a chance and listen to the songs all the way through....so that you can fully digest and appreciate the complexity, beauty, mystery and mastery of their music. Look out for album 15 next Spring...Life is wonderful!!!!

I have been a fan of Marillion for years, (only the post-Fish era) and have picked up their last several albums, finding them all rather satisfying- but stylistically, they do tend to vary a great deal....sometimes this is good, sometimes not.

2004's "Marbles" was brilliantly composed from top to bottom, and was also available in a 2-disc version including an epic 20-minute long prog track which was a real show-stopper for a prog rock fan. With the release of "Somewhere Else", Marillion take a step backwards into a bit less progressive and more concise pop territory, with mixed results. There are still some longer, epic tracks with the trademark Marillion prog "vibe", ("Last Century For Man" is excellent) but the first half of the disc seems cluttered with forgettable, shorter poppy material before you get into the real meat of the album three or four songs in, at which point it settles into a melancholy, moody vibe with Rothery's lyrical guitar playing after Hogarth's vocals take a back seat. Perhaps it's selfish for me to want a band to move in a different direction (after all, they are the artists), but a more progressive, less watered-down release would have been nice. Still recommended, though....almost anyone would enjoy this.

Somehow I got my copy in the mail today. On first listen I think the album has great growing potential. I'm still not convinced about the first single "See it Like a Baby," and I've pretty much never liked "Faith," which has been out for a while, but there is a LOT to appreciate here. I think "Somewhere Else" is going to be the song that immediately appeals to most who loved Marbles. And it is my instant favorite. However, "Thank You Whoever You Are" is infectious and has me completely hooked after only 2 listens. "Most Toys," I believe, is the best rocker since "Hooks in You." Speaking of rocking, this album is much more of a rocker on the whole, anyway. Great guitar (like that's a surprise) and much more up-tempo, but yet still atmospheric as you would expect. Shorter songs, too, with much of the album coming in at under 5 minutes. That's a little different to get used to. I do love a good epic! Marillion has been my favorite group for almost 20 years and I have tickets to 3 shows in the UK (I live in Cleveland, Ohio). The tour is sure to be electrifying and the album WILL NOT disappoint. It might take a few run-throughs, but fear not, people, Marillion have done it again! This review comes from a fanatic. I am very likely to enjoy anything Marillion puts out. However, I try to take an objective approach. This album will still have to grow on me. It isn't an instant classic. I liked most of it on the first listen. I liked more of it on the second listen. And that is how it should be, really. The stuff that takes longer to digest stays with you better in the long run. I didn't even like Season's End when it first came out. Now it is my favorite album of all time. It just had to grow. There is no band that even comes close to rivaling Marillion. None. And you'll never convince me otherwise. This is a good album by a great band and by the time I'm really accustomed to it, it will be a GREAT album by a great band. Give it time. Marillion delivers again and again and again...

Whilst not being an absolute turkey, 'Somewhere Else' lacks all the charm, emotion and character that I have loved from the band's last 18 years of recorded work (namely the Steve Hogarth era). Finding albums such as 'Brave', 'Seasons End' and 'This Strange Engine' containing more than their fair share of classic, tear-jerking and emotive tunes that tap into the human spirit, it's hard to understand why this album fell so short. Maybe it's not surprising after the superb and stunning sonic treat that their last album 'Marbles' delivered. 'Somewhere Else' has failed to move me after more than a dozen sittings.

Firstly the production whilst not being poor is nothing on their last three albums for clarity and depth. Secondly, I have yet to find one song on 'Somewhere Else' that I can actually understand what S.Hogarth is singing without the lyrics in front of me. This wasn't a problem for albums like 'Brave' where the mood of the stella arrangements generated an understanding of the story or song being performed even when the vocals were almost inaudible whispers. Somehow it worked and fitted into the artpiece. Hogarth's vocal delivery is somewhat mumbled and unclear on 'Somewhere Else' and I often find myself frustrated to understand at least one sentence to graps meaning and content. This album is really more pop rock than anything else but it does not even have the luxury of being catchy. I have loved all of Marillion's previous pop rock albums ('Holidays In Eden' and 'Afraid Of Sunlight) as the songwritting has always been so strong and the lyrics so profound. Not the case here.

Sadly this is one of Hogarth's weakest vocal albums which can be best displayed on the track 'Most Toys'. Musically this song rocks, it's a great arrangement, like large parts of the album however, 'h' turns on the most irritating melody with the repeatitive and lame hook "He who dies with the most toys is still dead, still dead." His choice of vocal melody and range is like nails down a chalkboard and yes, we all know materialism isn't the answer to happiness and fulfillment in life. The dude with the most toys maybe dead but boy he looked like he had fun....

Marillion have been a favourite of mine for more than 15 years with very few disappointments in that time, so I am not too worried that this album is a turning trend. I'm confident that their next release will hit the mark for me in some way.

After many listens, I can not even give a highlight song as I have found that I drift off, which for me while listening to Marillion is unheard of.

I can truley say without being smarmy, when I listen to 'Somewhere Else', that's where I am.....

If you like British Rock which has a little of Coldplay, Radiohead and the Muse, then this is for you!

Building on Marbles, this puts this type of music in a more accessible format by a great band [14 albums over 20 plus years, everyone in its own right a gem]

Take the time to listen, and it will continue to grow like all great albums!