MARILLION always carried a unique charisma. Being 'good', they were ass-kicking; being 'bad', they were boring. 2007's Somewhere Else seems to follow the second case. And if it wasn't for the rain outside my room (while writing this review, plus listening to the new album for another couple of times) the grade may have been a little lower.
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South-Central England. MARILLION's first UK single - 1982's Market Square Heroes - is inspired by their hometown square. A quarter of a century, (Sil)MARILLION seems to have a little bit of trouble in terms of inspiration. I totally adore how the band behaves in terms of promoting is music (you all know their DYI manners the last years, I guess) but when it comes to music rules should be rather strict. If 2001's Anoraknophobia and 2004's Marbles did show enough of blend form bands like U2 and PINK FLOYD, then 2007's Somewhere Else and PORCUPINE TREE bear some similarities. Except from the fact that even the TREE's albums are more 'vivid' (in a way).
It would be easy to categorize this album as an inconsistent one, but each and every post-Fish release has the same vibe. Still, Somewhere Else sees a repetitive sequence in most of the tracklist, even if some luxurious melodies will strike hard on you anytime. The band's Prog Rock fanbase will surely stand sceptic enough in front of the quintet's tendency in bowing to the COLDPLAY and RADIOHEAD model (again?), as this is displayed in soft themes with esoteric singing. The Other Half, The Wound and Faith show enough of interest for the potential listener, but in no trouble-free way can they be compared with the band's last couple of albums (let's not even talk about the past).
Somewhere Else is a peaceful album. Way to peaceful...MARILLION fans must have been 'inducted' into the band's temper to get it right. Else...