After the release of 'Happiness Is The Road' and the subsequent tour, Marillion took some time off to recharge. Soon enough though the guys reconvened at The Racket Club to discuss and decide what their next step was. The creative flow to write new material wasn't there yet but the urge to record was, talk about a Catch 22 situation. After some deliberaton however, it was decided that an semi-acoustic album containing re-worked versions of Hogarth-era songs would be the thing. It would bridge the gap for the band and the supporters alike until new songs were written and ready to record. And hopefully this studio session would reignite Marillion's creative spark as well.
12 songs were picked of which one, 'It's Not Your Fault' was previously unreleased and 'Cannibal Surf Babe' acted as a hidden track closing out 'Less Is More'. I have to admit I was hesitant to this album at first, surely a band of Marillion's magnitude are more imaginative than this? However, I quickly warmed up to it as these "new" versions truly shows the depth of the band members' technical abilities and song-writing qualities. What I mean is their songs can be tweaked just a fraction turning them into something else without losing any of the original brilliance. To me that is true musical excellence on all levels.
Like with any band and their albums we're all going to have our individual favourites when a new album is released something which applies to 'Less Is More' as well. To me 'The Space' is one and the opening piano brings me back to the hey days of Fish. There's an urgency which mellows out abruptly letting Marillion the jazz band in. 'Out Of This World' drifts and floats gently like waves on the ocean. Picks up gradually as the waves gets bigger. 'Interior Lulu' has always been a favourite of mine and in this shape Ian Mosley's percussion and elegant drum rhythms takes it away backed only by Mark Kelly's soft piano tinkering. The music weaves back and forth once the whole band joins in. The previously unreleased 'It's Not Your Fault' allows h and Kelly to stand in the limelight on this wonderful lament. 'Memory Of Water' comes as a brilliant acoustic version of this already excellent song. The two Steves elevates it to something truly else. Having observed comments on various Marillion forums online that 'Cannibal Surf Babe' seem to divide the opions of Marillion supporters. I like the original version as well as this rock'n'calypso jazz version.
'Less Is More' is very laidback, in the good sense of the word, and stripped down with a lot of light jazz running through it. Quite different from the Marillion I know but again it shows their versatility and great music knowledge and brilliance. Best of all, it sounds like the guys really enjoyed the time in the studio re-creating the songs this way which also translates so well.
- Swedbeast
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