FIRST TIME HEARING Marillion- "Bitter Suite" & "Heart Of Lothian" (Reaction)

[@retroreactions....]

Great storytelling centering on the emotional highs and lows in life/youth... Thanks for watching! 👦🥰

[@CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

Blind Curve, later in the album, is worth your attention.

[@retroreactions....]

Oh, a nice long one at 9.5 minutes too....that's usually a good sign...🙂

[@davidbarker77]

Brilliant. Fantastic ending to side 1. Side 1 remains one of the great symphonies in prog and will stand the test of time for many years to come. Great listen, Brandon.

[@TheRKae]

I remember when my friend and I listened to this back in '85. Side one came to an end. We sat in silence for a moment, then he said, "It hardly even needs a side 2."

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks as always for stopping by. Glad you like today's artist!

[@franckbizouard3357]

The best part of this absolute masterpiece of an album. Gorgeous, powerful, prog, rock. Genius.

[@Buddha-of8fk]

I saw Marillion open for Rush in 85 in Buffalo. It was simply amazing. Both bands was spot on that night.

[@keithewright]

Coming from just over the river (Fife) Heart of Lothian always spoke to me, something about it seems like home

[@scifimonkey3]

Misplaced childhood is one of the best Progressive albums as an overall listen and reflected the completion of the development of Marillion’s sound away from the earlier Genesis soundalike period into something altogether more unique. A really great band in both Fish and Hogarth periods and the bridge for me, as a lover of progressive rock, between the waning power of Genesis, Floyd and Yes and the rise of Porcupine Tree and Muse.

[@badrobot3159]

Cant wait untill you hear Blind curve.

[@retroreactions....]

Cool. Based on song lengths, the next time I revisit them I would likely do the next 3 songs all at once, assuming nothing gets blocked...Thanks for tuning in!

[@stephaniemarx9162]

After one of Fish's ( Born Derrick William Dick) solo shows at the Roxy on Sunset Strip in Hollywood about 25 years ago he and I along with friends and fans sat around enjoying drinks and sharing stories. I will always remember Fish's sly grin as he related the story of going through customs at Los Angels International. "Ya know, their customs here looks at yer funny when yer second name's Dick"

[@killianlpc]

Great appreciation Brandon. I have to say I remember listening to this back in 1985, as my brother was mad into them, but I always thought wrongly they were 'Genesis Lite' and Fish was some kind of of Peter Gabriel/Phil Collins 'wannabe', but again how wrong I was. Side 1 of this record is without the strongest from any band. The way it flows and each song bleeds into the next is incredible. I saw them in The Albert Hall in London in back in 2017, Steve Hogarth of course the singer now, who really did a great job taking over from Fish. Steve Rothery's tone is just so beautiful and such a richness about it. They are just so many brilliant tracks from them to recommend it's hard to start. My favourites are apart from all of Side 1 of this album, The Great Escape, Easter, Sugar Mice, and the brilliant Angels On Earth from their brilliant last album An Hour Before It's Dark.

[@TheRKae]

I saw this tour at Parker’s Ballroom in Seattle. They played for about an hour, then Fish said, “It’s time for our last song of the evening.” Everyone groaned, “What a ripoff! (etc.)” Then they played the opening chords of “Pseudo-Silk Kimono,” and we all knew what was about to happen: The entire “Misplaced Childhood” album. Utter genius!

[@retroreactions....]

Hi. Haha..Brilliant fake out! Bet you were loving life that night. Thanks for stopping by..

[@helenespaulding7562]

Seriously? Parker’s?? When? Seems a small venue for Marillion. I used to go dancing there in the mid-sixties. Saw Hendrix there in ‘64 as a local band. Who knew he was going to blow the hatches off in a couple of years? ! Not a good dance band btw 😏😁

[@TheRKae]

@@helenespaulding7562 In '85/'86, Marillion were touring the US as the opening act for Rush. At selected cities they would break off and do their own show. I was ecstatic! I had been dying to see them, so the fact that they played their own show in Seattle was a dream come true. To this day, one of the best concerts I've ever seen.

[@retroreactions....]

A top life moment I can imagine....

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@TheRKae sounds amazing! it’s funny: Parkers was always a dance hall to me so it’s hard for me to picture rows of seats inside for a concert. Must have been way less than a 1000 people.

[@yitzchakscott-thoennes]

closing out side one, nice. hope you press on through all of side two

[@retroreactions....]

I'm sure I will eventually. Can't leave a concept album unfinished! 🙂 Thanks

[@drmagic60]

Great to see Marillion back in the fold. This is such a great album, you’ll certainly want to finish it. I also get the Gabriel era Genesis vibe, big time! I think my favorite album is “Script For A Jester’s Tear”, it was their first release, and my first album of theirs (probably why I’m a little biased). They have so much more to offer, I really like Fish’s vocals as well as Steve Hogarth. Such an amazing prog band!!

[@retroreactions....]

Yup, another overdue band (sorry Gentle Giant!) Glad you like this one. I will have to continue the journey at some point. You've heard "Estonia" from 1997? A beautiful song and one of Helene's faves...

[@retroreactions....]

An interesting mix for the rest of the week and 1 surprise new artist!

[@drmagic60]

“Estonia” is a great song, in fact the title track from the album “This Strange Engine” is a 17+ minute masterpiece! Earlier I watched SalvoG, he just reacted to “Firth of Fifth”, which gives me some of these Marillion vibes. The vocals.. the flute..both great songs!

[@retroreactions....]

Ha, I watched Firth from Salvo too.. I knew he'd love it.. 17 minutes of 90s Marillion??? SIGN ME UP!!!

[@synthystation]

So awesome!! Saw this line up at University of Colorado Glen Miller ballroom! Epic!!!

[@retroreactions....]

Very cool! Sounds like a pretty intimate venue too. Thanks for tuning in and being first today 🥇

[@reneelyons6836]

Almost 6 k........Congrats!! 🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@retroreactions....]

THANKS!! Hopefully within a week 🤗

[@jpwwilson430]

Maybe worth checking out Fish's solo album vigil in a wilderness of mirrors 👍

[@eduardoangel923]

Por fin alguien que reacciona al mejor Marillion (el de Fish). Gracias!

[@retroreactions....]

¡De nada! ¡Amo a los dos cantantes de Marillion y me encanta este álbum! Gracias

[@eddiecriglington400]

Excellent. And Kayleigh is my own personal favourite. 🎶❤️🎶

[@stephaniemarx9162]

After 1986 there were suddenly a whole lot of girl babies in UK named Kayleigh 🙂

[@eddiecriglington400]

@@stephaniemarx9162 My favourite Marrillion Song. Love it. 🎶❤️🎶

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Well written, well performed. A day at the office for Marillion

[@retroreactions....]

There ya go. I just listened to Estonia again and it's glorious. Assume you've heard it...

[@KevinM2732]

Two nice parts of this brilliant album

[@jimgordon5358]

If you liked the soaring guitar check out Steve Rothery’s solo album…The Ghosts of Pripyat. Vigil in the Wilderness of Mirrors. Y Fish is also well worth checking out!

[@AlexAlex-dr9zc]

I've seen this band many times live in Paris, Lyon (the same as the one named in the song) and Geneva. Tthis is where they really shine. Don't miss them if they play near your place !

[@davidf.r.3266]

La mejor banda de mi vida

[@Musiquesaecouter]

After Genesis changed to so much pop, I slipped into Marillion to find back some old progressive vibes like the Gabriel area. Fish were the perfect icon that made me expect prog wasn't over yet even in the 80's 😎. This suite was one of my favorite from this Misplaced childhood album who got a great fame, particularly with the song "Kayleigh" , you know. I liked even more those 2 earlier works "Script for a jesters Tears" first offering in 1983, listen to the song called "The Web" filled with abrupt contrasts and nice Synth solos, in the meantime every styles of new music went everywhere else. New wave, Disco, funk, dance, heavy metal... Second album was "Fugazi" also is great that featured for the first time the drummer Ian Mosley who were the guy who definitely stayed with the band until now. (in those times he looked a bit like Steve Hackett from Genesis, and even played just earlier on one of his solo album, fun!) Marillion early music is very worth listening, great typical English progressive music with a nice power. There's is also a very long epic song from then "Grendel". Check those earlier albums, they are excellent too. Have a nice day!

[@MattLathrum]

Yay, more Marillion!

[@helenespaulding7562]

Lovely…..👋

[@paulwalker5221]

Well chosen, one of my favourite albums, every track is worth a listen. Kayleigh is a stand up out track. Great review Brandon.

[@pauloles2475]

Saw them on this tour opening up for Todd Rungren & Utopia. What a concert 😮😮

[@retroreactions....]

Hi there. So cool that you got to see and hear some of this live! Thanks so much for watching!

[@333wheeler]

Probably my favourite section of Marillion music that i ever owned on vinyl

[@TheAlbumReviewchannel]

Great reaction. This is quality music from Fish and the boys at the top of their game. Interesting is the fact that they remain as good band with H as lead singer with the band nowadays. Apart from these and Genesis few bands change lead singers and remain at the top of the tree like these. All the best. Dave✅✅

[@lilybee2955]

I rarely comment on lyrics but I find Fish's poetry simply fascinating, albeit a little obscure at times (Brandon: you're not the only one with “???”😁). The man is quite the wordsmith, a sort of modern-day bard. As for the music, you can always count on Steve Rothery's soaring guitar to bring on the goosebumps, and here is no exception. In fact I think the whole album is the crown jewel of Fish-era Marillion. Nice choice of songs! 🐝

[@jans724]

This is great! The Fish-era was some magical Marillion (not taking away from Hogarth or later years). Glad I got to see them live on this tour. Check out an early song "Grendel".

[@The_Enzo]

The first two Marillion albums had more of a (early) Genesis vibe, but by Misplaced Childhood / Clutching at Straws their sound had evolved towards something akin to Pink Floyd which then evolved into their own distinctive sound.

[@craigdawson7564]

Going to see Steve live in Glasgow in two weeks...cant wait!

[@6502-Coder]

4:04 bass lamenting “Thirty four”

[@thomcadeau1384]

Great selection! So reminiscent of early Genesis with Peter Gabriel. Super keyboards, soaring guitar work, amazing percussion throughout, and of course those incredible, storytelling vocals all make it hard to stop listening! Aldo, the initial part of the narrative tastes a lot like the opening narrative on Bowie's song Glqss Spider from his Never Let Me Down album. Love the signature changes! You've done it again my man, you've done it again. Total side note: ever done any Iggy Pop? Have a listen to Isolation from Blah Blah Blah, or either Pumpin' for Jill or Eggs on Plate from Party. Cheers my man! Always got you playing! Thom in Toronto, Canada ❤️🇨🇦

[@retroreactions....]

Hello. Great analysis! So many treasures to choose from every week, it's a great problem to have 😊 Actually never done Iggy and I don't think I know a single song by him. Rock I'm guessing? So cool that I'm played by a few of you up in beautiful Canada. Only been there once but it was a very memorable trip in 1992!

[@thomcadeau1384]

​@retroreactions.... Yes, Iggy is rock. First 2 solo albums produced by Bowie. Deemed the godfather of punk when he was fronting The Stooges back in the late 60's, his crowning album from that period was Raw Power, also produced by Bowie. His first solo album, The Idiot, has a great track called The Dum Dum Boys. The original China Girl, co-written by Bowie (which later appears on Bowie's Let's Dance album), is also found therein. I think the mischief in you will like them!

[@thomcadeau1384]

​@@retroreactions....You probably know Lust For Life from the movie Trainspotting.

[@thomcadeau1384]

​@@retroreactions....I'm glad you enjoyed your visit here. Where did you go? I'm guessing Vancouver or Montreal.

[@retroreactions....]

Ah yes, I've heard of The Stooges being connected to his name... Oh wow, didn't know Iggy did China Girl first. i love Bowie's version...

[@grahamharley4895]

First intentional listen to Marillion... I just skipped through but there was enough there for me to want a proper listen. Dammit you beat me to it... definite vibes of Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel in the presentation, perhaps even Tony Banks in the storytelling?

[@retroreactions....]

Yes, Genesis MUST have been a huge influence. I've been pushing their 1997 song "Estonia". Definitely worth a listen if you're not familiar!

[@digibirder]

Classic, yet evolutionary prog at its best! In regards to the Genesis influence: Steve Rothery always sites Steve Hackett as an influence. The two are good friends too, and they are very slowly working on an album together.

[@gphill3954]

It was so easy at the time to allow Marillion to fill that gap created by a Gabriel-less Genesis and yes I went for it. Being of that age where the lyrics also had some relevance it wasn’t hard to see why they took off. I saw them many times before the released “script” and their “rawness” was wonderful and welcome. But..and this will be unpopular, I grew out of them, this incarnation sounds dated and reflects the times and the vacuum created by the demand of people like me. Post fish Marillion isn’t for me, but…certainly seems more relevant and definitely to be admired for the way the band and fans have worked tirelessly together…

[@sagitt1856]

'Misplaced Childhood' (1985): in my opinion, definitely MARILLION's best album... and not just because of the two sentimental ballads, "Kayleigh" and "Lavander", whose catchy melodic lines quickly made them radio hits. The real reason is the exceptional quality of the whole product. This is only MARILLION's third studio album, and yet the band is already confirming that it has reached full maturity. It's all there: magnificent musical composition, intelligent lyrics, top-notch orchestration and arrangements, virtuoso musicianship... and Fish's voice at its best. Thanks.

[@JoshMainka]

Misplaced is good, but their next album Clutching at Straws was even better and the best of the Fish era.

[@sagitt1856]

@@JoshMainka I only spoke for myself (“in my opinion”); the content of my comment did not claim to be a universal truth. Sincerely.

[@mattleppard1970]

1985 was the year I got into Genesis (then Floyd then Yes). A lot of friends liked Marillion - they were quite big here in the UK. But I shunned them in favor of “classic” bands. It’s only in the past 3 or so years that I’ve given them a chance. And I always like it. This is excellent. It’s world-class prog ❤ Ah the folly of youth 😊

[@reneelyons6836]

🥁✔🎹✔🎸✔🎤✔ Album cover art gets a check as well. 💙🎵🎶🎶

[@retroreactions....]

Yes, great album artwork...you know I HAD to use it as my backdrop.. 😊 Let's see, where are we....ok, Happy Tuesday lol!

[@reneelyons6836]

Happy Tuesday!! 😀😃

[@retroreactions....]

Geez, it's almost February..SCARY!

[@reneelyons6836]

Time flies!!🪰🪰🪰

[@retroreactions....]

🤣

[@bigjapi1]

Brandon, I've been listening to this album for over 30 years and I can't find a flaw in it, from start to finish, plus, every time I listen to it, I like it more. I hope it doesn't take you 1 century to react to side B, and if possible, in a single reaction, because everything is connected. Extra comments on Marillion's similarities to Genesis: 1. Fish's voice is 80% similar to Peter and in very few cases... he resembles Phil. 2. Compare Steve Rothery's guitar sequence starting at 4:18 in your video with Hackett's guitar sequence starting at 0:20 in "...In That Quiet Earth'." 3. Compare from 10:15 in you video with the end of Super's Ready from 20:50 in "As Sure As Eggs Is Eggs" section. 4. Compare the end of "Heart Of Lothian" from 12:10 in your video with "Aisle of Plenty" B-side has more similarities ;)

[@bigjapi1]

Sorry... I missed one more, from 1:41 in your video with the beggining of "Eleventh Earl Of Mar"

[@retroreactions....]

I promise I will react to the remainder before I turn 60!! 😁 I will at least react to the next 3 all at once. Have you heard "Estonia"?

[@retroreactions....]

Wow, great catches...of course I know how much you love both bands!

[@bigjapi1]

@@retroreactions.... No, I just know the country, before you turn 60 ? GREAT!! solo faltan 2 meses! :)

[@retroreactions....]

¿Ya parezco tan viejo? JAJAJA 👨‍🦳

[@djzonque4770]

A spider wanders aimlessly..