Marillion

Radiation

---The thrill is gone---

Review Score:

(2/10)
What can I say? I'm a sucker. I had faith.

After the repetitive sleep aid Afraid of Sunlight (95) and the "give us pop radio airply please" This Strange Engine (97), I had all but given up on the group that I knew for the unusual chords, intricate rhythms, and vivid imagery of Brave (94), Clutching at Straws (87), and Misplaced Childhood (85). But then I saw them live in 97 and I was re-converted by hearing much of the aforementioned *good* material in live form. So I figured, they got whatever it is out of their system in the last 2 albums, now they'll come back from vacation. And besides they physically *looked like* they enjoyed playing "the good stuff" more (live) than the newer and simpler material.

(If you dispute the "simpler" term, then I refer you to the songs: 80 Days, Afraid of Sunrise, Beautiful, Thousand Faces, Accidental Man, Hope for the Future, and King.)

And now Radiohead, I mean Radiation. I find only 2 above average (not memorable) songs on Radiation (Under the Sun and Answering Machine). By "average" I mean a typical song that you'll hear on the run of the mill, nondescript, post-Nirvana, "Alanis and Puffy are geniuses" miasma that is today's pop radio. The fact that a certain song is better than average only says that it does not induce vomiting or long tirades on the evils of the current state of the "music" (or is it "fashion"?) industry.

Now I am fully aware of the "give the album N more listens and then you'll 'get it' and like it." This has held true in many cases in the past, but I think I have give Radiation a generous share of my time. I just feel duped by the name Marillion. I'm not saying they *should* make music that they don't want to make, just that this is where I get off the bus.

But none of this changes my love for a lot of their past work, and I strongly strongly recommend to *everyone*:

Misplaced Childhood (85). Clutching At Straws (87). Brave (94).

Check these out for great, intense music. Thanks for listening.

More Reviews: