Marillion

Radiation

Not particularly memorable

Review Score:

(6/10)
This is definitely different from earlier Marillion albums -- chorused guitars and lush synths are replaced by fuzz distortion and Hammond. The raw, punchy sound is informed by Brit-pop acts like Radiohead and Oasis. But while it's different, calling it "experimental" or "innovative" is pure nonsense. It's up-to-date on the rock mainstream, but hardly cutting-edge.

And while I like the sound, the songwriting isn't anything special. I get the feeling that anybody could have written these tunes, though none of them are that bad. ("Born to Run", a limp and soulless attempt at the blues, comes close.) I could do without the stupid studio chatter, and their occasional attempts to sound like the Beatles sound amateurish and superficial.

In the end, what counts is whether you enjoy listening or not -- and I do. But it's nothing I feel compelled to hear again. This one is primarily for Marillion diehards.

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