Review: Marillion - Seasons End Deluxe Set + All EMI Deluxe Book Sets Ranked & More

[@3D_Blu-ray_Bunker]

Great review, thanks. I think it's fair to say that even with maybe the less impressive of these eight releases, they have all offered *incredibly* good value for money, and have been a lesson in how to put together "Deluxe" re-release box-sets. Cheers.

[@lifeinsurround]

Yes! These Marillion sets, Jethro Tull sets, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds sets, R.E.M. Those are great examples of releases that deliver proper value.

[@Nephilim-81]

Good job my friend. I really appreciate your input. I’m still up in the air on getting seasons end. I have all the fish -era deluxe sets and really the FUGAZI is my favorite surround mix. :)

[@paulayers1111]

Fugazi is probably my #1 Marillion album ever. Script is a close second

[@skylarperry169]

Thanks for the honest review. Very helpful.

[@WatcherXP]

Loving this! (and the new haircut!) Only thing I would change in the rankings are to swap 1&2, but they are nearly tied for me

[@Mirsset]

Thank you for another honest review. Seasons End is one of my all time favorites, so I still get the deluxe edition but I'm disappointed that it doesn't have more "brave" immersive surround mix.

[@tonymurray750]

Once again, thanks for the review. I agree its one for the completests. I wasnt a big fan of this album, and the surround mix doesnt have me rethinking my thoughts on it. I only got it to complete the set. I loved the Fugazi remix snd is probably my favorite for the series, though enjoyed Brave a lot too. Id love to see The Thieving Magpie remixed in surround but pretty sure thats not going to happen

[@FVD]

Great review. Finally gave the remix a listen today and it's certainly much clearer, however, I am disappointed that the B-sides didn't get remixed...

[@davesomers7354]

agree with the surround mix rankings, MC & Brave are stunning remixes, Steve Wilson knows what he's doing surround sound wise, he's the go to guy for surround mixes although I guess he doesn't come cheap ;-)

[@lifeinsurround]

I bet he is expensive to hire. Though, if I recall, he's basically donated his time, or accepted a "nominal fee" for albums he truly loves.

[@davesomers7354]

@@lifeinsurround superb gesture if true, picked a couple of bangers to remix in MC and Brave, the Script and Holidays in Eden remixes are really good, HIE sounds a different more dynamic album

[@757flyer]

Thank you. Excellent presentation!

[@drdonothing7991]

Here's the order I place these releases, based on the surround mixes only. 1) Fugazi 2) Holidays in Eden 3) Misplaced Childhood 4) Brave 5) Clutching at Staws 6) Afraid of Sunlight 7) Seasons End 8) Script for a Jester's Tear Lucy Jordache has said that they will be releasing a deluxe version of This Strange Engine next year (2024). Please please get someone other than Michael Hunter to do the surround mix.

[@lifeinsurround]

I'd place Holidays and Brave much higher. I also would prefer someone other than Hunter. We shall see...

[@jpwwilson430]

I'm not a fan of the new Seasons End mix and Marillion are one of my favourite bands. I thought there was something broken on my system when I played the album for the first time. I do agree mostly with your ranking of the albums this list From last to first place Season End Script Afraid of Sunlight Clutching at Straws Misplaced Childhood Fugazi Brave Holidays in Eden

[@RussMcCord]

Thanks for sharing the 44.1/16 quality and the disappointing surround mix on Season's End. Decided not to spend the $49.85 on Amazon. Yikes! Brave is $395. Looks like I'm limited to what is affordable, and not what is best in surround. Luckily, Holidays In Eden is affordable and has an amazing surround mix...as you said. =)

[@lifeinsurround]

I'm on a budget too, like most folks. Sucks, but it also makes the experiences we get to enjoy all the more valuable, since they aren't automatic. We're lucky and blessed that we get to pleasure our ears!

[@drdonothing7991]

There's a famous saying: there are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and a disappointing Michael Hunter surround mix. Mind you, after saying that, I've just upgraded my system from 5.1 to Dolby Atmos. From what I've played so far, when it upmixes 5.1 to 5.1.2, it does give a Hunter surround mix a more immersive feel: more like stereo than mono.

[@lifeinsurround]

Different ears hear different things on different systems! I don't love Hunter's surround mixes, but they beat the stereo alternatives on my system. Missed opportunities galore, though.

[@LeeLucas]

Well first up the Hogarth years say totally ZILCH! to me even over all these years. The problem was that the band had to work around his voice which meant bye, bye to guitar and keyboard solos and the band never really showed anything as to what they were capable of when they were with Fish. Seasons End I remember when I brought it when it came out and it said absolutely bugger all to me it was an album of Ambient Piss and I still stick by those words today. The only time this band ever spoke to me was when they were with Fish and I could not give twopence for anything they did after that era. Regarding the surround mixes Fugazi wins it hands down and it is by far the best mix Andy Bradfield & Avril Mackintosh ever done and in all honesty they did a piss poor job of the other albums they mixed. The Fugazi mix in my opinion is better than what Wilson did with the other two albums I would expect though I cannot say how good his mix was on Brave cause I never bothered buying it. Misplaced Childhood for me personally is the least favourite album I personally like out of all 4 albums the band did with Fish which is why it will never get my vote. The best album this band ever made was their debut album by far and closely following that would have to be Fugazi and Clutching At Straws. Despite the poor surround mix of those albums I still feel the Deluxe Editions have plenty to offer.