Marillion are Steve Hogarth (lead singer), Steve Rothery (guitar), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Pete Trewavas (bass) and Ian Mosley (drums). This is a band who are constantly reinventing themselves but never forget their roots and always manage to keep the unique sound that their fans have grown to love and know.

In 1999, after the release of marillion.com the band decided to rid the pressures of the record companies and introduced their own label, Intact. This is inevitably what allowed Marillion to produce such fine music.

Lucky for them they also have a very loyal fan base as many have helped toward the sponsoring of entire tours of the USA and also the funding of recent albums. With this much of a fan base Marillion surely can't go wrong with their latest album.

Less Is More is their album which features hits from their back catalogue being performed acoustically. Stripped down and becoming intimate these songs give a minimal and more informal approach to Marillion's previous style of music.

This album is very emotional, the melodies are beautiful and vocals heartfelt. There is such passion in each song and this is not found very often, not in every track on an album.

My favourite track on this album has to be 'The Space'. The piano wrenches at your heart and as the song progresses it turns to soul/blues. It's like nothing I've heard before and I'm liking their sound.

'Quartz' is quite funky and upbeat, it helps to move this album in a different direction to the other slower tracks.

'If My Heart Were a Ball' is true funk and soul, this song really starts to get the album going. The vocals are much harder too which in turn make this track stand out. Loving it.

The final track, which is in fact an additional hidden track, 'Cannibal Surf Babe' is upbeat and fun. What a great track to end on.

I really like this album, it has that personal vibe to it, you get the feeling that this is Marillion's way of thanking their ever loyal fans and giving them something very special in return.

9

Helena Rea