Pineapple Thief – have always been labeled as a band who sound like Radiohead, Muse even a poor man’s Porcupine Tree. Their last album ‘Tightly Unwound’ was pleasant enough with a couple of great tracks especially ‘Too Much To Lose’ but it did lack direction and more importantly I feel it lacked identity – it sounded like a dozen other bands.
However…… ‘Someone Here Is Missing’ is a big step forward, a very good album – an album that only sounds like Pineapple Thief. They have discovered their own identity, their own sound, big chords, melodic piano, crunchy keyboards, modern prog rock at it’s best. Highlights include ‘Preparation For Meltdown’ ‘The State We’re In’ and the opener ‘Nothing At Best’.
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Big Big Train – The Underfall Yard – another band who don’t give a hoot about trends and fashions and keep on producing good old fashioned prog rock. Think of course early Genesis, Yes etc. etc. and you have the sound. But….and this is a big BUT it sounds really fresh and modern – great music, well played by a band that know how to play – this is their sixth album. Not every ones cuppa of tea I know, but when you’re in the mood for a bit of escapism, for some long and winding tunes think Big Big Train.
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Hi LD
Two more bands that i havn’t heard before! Liked them both,will have to investigate further.
Is it me, or does the singer in Big Big Train sound just like Steve Hogarth from Marillion?
Hi Cheezy – yes I do believe you are right – very similar. You do know what this means?
It means I’ll be listening to Marillion all weekend – thanks mate – expect a new post very soon.
Whats the verdict on Marillion here – I reckon they must be another very underrated band who just keep on doing what they do best.
BTW – glad you like the music
I remember Marillion being slated as Genesis copyists. Didn’t stop me liking them though. Clutching At Straws was always my fav. in fact i’m going to play it right now,Arrgh Warm Wet Circles!
Hi Cheezy – you right and this Genesis comparison wasn’t entirely fair – especially over the last 10 years when they’ve developed their own sound and, in my humble opinion, were better than any of Genesis’ later albums. I also admire the way they operate – using the internet, their fan base, doing things their own way and still being successful and making good music – nice one, I wish them well.
I haven’t got Clutching At Straws but currently listening to all my Marillion albums on shuffle – including Anoraknophobia, Brave, Fugazi, Less is More, Marbles, Marillion.com and an early best of – good good stuff. Will have to buy a live album/DVD after my fast.
We briefly discussed both these bands a few months back, and I remember at the time saying that although I had nothing against Pineapple Thief, I did find them a bit tedious after a while. I’ve since discovered that when it comes to this band, you do have to be in the right mood for them. Unlike early Genesis and Marillion, I have found that the music doesn’t capture me so much as demand attention. Thanks to the Dog, I do now know them a bit better, but I don’t know that my opinion has changed that much, the mood still has to be just right before I can appreciate them. The track on here however is really good, lots going on, plenty of nice spacey bits, plenty of widdly bits and some awesome keyboard/guitar interchanges.
Big Big Train are simply Gabriel era Genesis under another name. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. At least if they have to copy Genesis they have picked the right version to copy.
Marillion – at last – lets discuss. Back in my pimply youth, they were quite possibly my favourite band of all time. Now please bear in mind that I am talking the Fish era Marillion here. Script for a Jester’s Tear and Fugazi were, and still are staples of the Spacepig musical diet. In concert, there was nothing quite like seeing Fish’s hysterionics as he took on Forgotten Sons or He Knows You Know. When I first heard Kayleigh I thought, oh oh, there goes another band gone and sold out for commercial success. But when I heard how it worked in with the album concept (Childhood’s End) I seen where it was coming from and changed my mind altogether.
I kind of lost interest in them after Fish left, became too bland and predictable with the occasional half interesting song. Instead I followed Fish, for me anyway, much more innovative.
If you are looking for some live Marillion Mr D, I implore you to start with either Recital of the Script or Real to Real. Then let me know how it compares to their newer stuff.
While we are on the subject, another band worthy of mention here is Pallas. My older brother used to say that Marillion were simply a poor man’s Pallas. Now please be aware that Pallas followed much the same route as Marillion, in that they too got rid of an iconic front man and replaced him with a newcomer, thereby changing their direction altogether. Have a look at this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gigk9u3Nnm8
They only released a couple of albums with the original singer, best known of which is The Sentinel which goes for silly money nowadays on Amazon. But, if the interest is there I can post it on here or send it on to Mr D. Much more interesting however was Arrive Alive, a live one, when they really were at the top of their game.
I know them so well simply because they used to play in our local freak clubs in Aberdeen regularly so I seen them loads of times. It never ceased to amaze me how they dreamed up their ideas for freaking people out. During the track, Paris is Burning for example, they weren’t averse to setting each other on fire while playing.
Two great bands there, Marillion and Pallas, can’t be sure if either Pineapple Thief or Big Big Train will match up to them – sure hope so!!!
Hi Spacey – great post.
Pallas is a name I knew but never bought – good song but a bit disturbing – not sure I’ll investigate further. But early Marillion is a must – I have a tape somewhere of an early live album I think – will have to dig out and dust.
two fantastic groups will have to buy them and add to my colection
love the sound of both but enjoy pinapple theif more i have to say, great guitar
and great lyrics, beautiful arangement .