A great introduction to Hogarth's Marillion

Review Score: (10/10)
This was Steve Hogarth's (h) first album as Marillion's frontman, and all the fears that us fans had quickly disappeared upon hearing this CD.

It is, without a doubt, quite different from where Marillion was with Fish as lead singer and lyric writer, but it is nonetheless a fantastic collection of music. Including acoustic touches to their songs (Easter, After me), which was something rare for them at that time, and straight rockers (Hooks in you), the lads proved their musicianship and their willingness to explore. h's lyrics, while not as poetic as Fish's best, are by all means very intelligent and musical in themselves. His collaborations with John Helmer are also great. This is definetely one of Marillion's best!

As for the second CD, it includes a few demos from the songs in the album, but the real treasure are two b-sides, The bell in the sea and The release, both great tracks that could have made it to the album.

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• The Best of the Rest
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• The album that proved Marillion a viable band without Fish.