Marillion - Anoraknophobia
Studio album number 12, 'Anoraknophobia', was released in
May 2001 and was a first for Marillion. Rejuvenated by the creativeness of
predecessor, 'marillion.com', the subsequent successful tour and finally being
free from the shackles of a label, the five guys still faced dilemmas with the
upcoming album. As much as they enjoyed being on their own, they had to figure
out how to finance the whole shebang...or should they still try to shop for a
new label? Thanks to the resourcefulness of Mark Kelly the band asked their
fans via The Web, the fan club magazine, if they were willing to help out and
be part of a crowdfunding project to finance the new recording. The fans jumped
on it and this sparked what still goes to this day. And what also saved the
band most likely. From a personal point of view, 'Anoraknophobia' is the last
Marillion studio recording I had to check out after the fact and in hindsight,
what an album it is!
As always Marillion change things up. Of course, their sound
is still there but one of their biggest traits is to never record the same
album twice, no matter what. And 'Anoraknophobia' definitely follow suit. For
me, that’s the biggest thing as a music lover, you immediately want to
recognize “your” bands but at the same time there should be wonderful twists
and turns which always keeps you on your toes. It is safe but at the same time
it’s not. Moreover this is also a far happier album than ever before if
you ask me, and it’s refreshing to hear the Marills this way…even though they
are the masters of emotions.
Opener ‘Between You And Me’ is fresh, dark and exuberant. Is
starts rather dramatically with a solitary eerie piano before the band joins
in. From then on it’s a powerhouse rocker if there ever was one. Lyrically it's
about that special bond you rarely, if ever, find with someone else. ‘Quartz’
follows next and just listen to Trewavas bass! So groovy, trippy and creepy at
the same time, all while the music floats on top. Kind of slow but builds up
ever so slightly in the chorus. Another relationship song but one from the
opposite end of the scale. Meaning the two antagonists can’t get along no
matter what. Next up is ‘Map Of The World’ and it is a happy, upbeat
composition focusing on the wonders of traveling, both to escape daily life and
to expand one's horizon. An excellent feel-good song, indeed! The music on
‘When I Meet God’ is minimalistic with the focus intentionally on Hogarth’s
amazing voice and the heartfelt frustrated lyrics. And Hogarth is pouring his
heart out against God and why God doesn't right all the wrongs in the world.
Where's the compassion for your creation?
‘The Fruit Of The Wild Rose’ has a nice blues running flowing
through it apart from the chorus where a feel of Beatles appears. This is song
for anyone who travels a lot due to work, be it a musician, a long distant
truck driver, you name it. Yearning for the loved one at home, missing and
wanting to be back. As the song turns, the anticipation of the last miles home
builds up the feelings for the missing partner. Another great powerhouse
rocker, ‘Separated Out’ deals with alienation, of not belonging and being an
outsider, of being different, rejected and unwanted. At the same time it offers
resistance and hope that all is not lost. Perhaps they sing about themselves
having been treated as unwanted outsiders most of their career. ‘This Is The
21st Century’ is slow and laidback musically with touches of drum-and-bass and
a feeling of vast open spaces and huge skies. Dreamy, if you will yet sinister
at the same time. This is a tandem story line between science picking life
apart leaving all mysteries in the dust. The other part is about two lovers
finding magic and mystery in their intimacy and letting those discoveries take
them away. Closer ‘If My Heart Were A Ball, It Would Roll Uphill’ has a light
jazzy beginning which leads into jammy, strange parts courtesy of Rothery and
Kelly. These work great though thanks to Trewavas and Mosley keeping reigns on
things. Wonderful controlled chaos, if you will. About letting you heart rule
your life and having no restraints. Live your life to the fullest, don’t count
the costs and roll the dice. In line with the title of the album producer Dave
Meegan added samples of 'Script For A Jester's Tear', 'Brave' and 'Fugazi' in
this song. Can you find them?
A beautiful discovery from the first note until the last and
I fell in love immediately and I still rate it highly to this day. Since
Marillion is not covering heartache and failure to their normal extent, it adds
to the upbeat feeling throughout 'Anoraknophobia'. Hogarth must have found
stability and happiness in life and this truly colours his words. Don’t get me
wrong, waveriders, I absolutely love the emotions of the downside of life the
guys are so great at displaying but it’s refreshing to hear them this way,
happy and carefree – for the most part. And in my opinion it stems from the
positive turnaround they started to experience a couple of years earlier. The
joyfulness also shines through wonderfully in the instrumentation. Rothery and
Kelly takes the centre stage whether it’s playing rhythms or going on amazing
solo excursions. None of this would be this great without Trewavas and Mosley.
Holding down the beat and keeping the ship steady and on course allows their
friends unheard of freedom. What can I say? ‘Anoraknophobia’ is a beautiful and
truly fantastic album and it’s rather fitting that this is the new start for Marillion.
Greatness, indeed!
-Swedebeast
Comments