When STEVE HOGARTH joined MARILLION in early 1989 they were at a cruical point of their career. With singer Fish, they had carved out a reputation for carefully crafted rock with progressive undercurrents. Yet MARILLION's final album with Fish, 'Clutching At Straws' ironically lived up to it's title. It saw Fish and the rest of the band (who were always responsible for the writing and production of all music) wanting to pull the band in different directions. Though at the height of their commercial success, it was clear that something had to break -- and it did -- with Fish's departure in 1988. Instead of disintegrating, the band's resolve was only strengthened.
The addition of former How We Live vocalist STEVE HOGARTH to the MARILLION ranks gave the band more than a new lease of life, creating a new band from the ashes of the old. As HOGARTH was a talented musican in his own right there was no longer a clash between the lyrical and the musical -- a fact evident in the material written for the 1991 album -- SEASONS END.
SEASONS END took the band's music away from the darkness of 'Clutching At Straws' and into new, expansive territory. HOGARTH's wide vocal range meant that a greater spectrum of music could be covered, thus delicate songs like EASTER and SEASONS END could sit confortably side by side with out and out rockers like HOOKS IN YOU and UNINVITED GUEST.
Extensive touring ensued throughout Europe bringing the band widespread acclaim. Two prestigious shows in Brazil in January 1990 with Bob Dylan and Bon Jovi served only to confirm MARILLION's emergence as an adult rock band to be reckoned with.
November 1990 saw the release of the long form video, FROM STOKE ROW TO IPANEMA -- and in December of that year, the band showcased much of their next album at their traditional Christmas dates.
The follow-up album, HOLIDAYS IN EDEN, was recorded at Hook End Manor Studios in Oxfordshire -- January 1991. Under the production supervision of Chris Neil, the album proved to be a stepping stone for the band as the band skirted pop territory with songs liks NO ONE CAN and DRY LAND.
In early '92 MARILLION recorded a brand new single, a cover of SYMPATHY, which was one of two tracks (the other was I WILL WALK ON WATER) recorded specifically for the upcoming greatest hits compilation -- A SINGLES COLLECTION. It marked the end of an era for MARILLION and looked forward to a new one with STEVE HOGARTH.
Later that year, as celebratory recognition of the ten years they had spent with EMI, the band played a sold out show at London's Wembley Arena. Playing material from every corner of their catalogue, the gig was a cherished occation as STEVE HOGARTH sang from every album -- a fantastic night for those able to get a ticket.
After a break, the band re-convened to start work on their seventh studio album. Recording took place at Miles Copeland's beautiful medival castle at San Marouate in Southern France. The album, BRAVE, proved to be MARILLION's most ambitious yet.
It is perhaps not surprising, after the exhausting experience BRAVE proved to be, that the band decided (again with Dave Meegan) to write an album of un-connected songs, but as is often the case in the world of MARILLION, things didn's go exactly to plan.
Although certainly not a concept album, AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT does contain a subtle and shared lyrical thread throughout its 8 tracks. it addresses the concept of fame and its effects on people who possesses it.
An album populated by icons such as Elvis Presley, OJ Simpson, Kurt Cobain and John Lennon, AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT gives us both MARILLION's most left-field song to date -- CANNIBAL SURF BABE and their most stunning -- BEAUTIFUL.
Recorded in a whirlwind (by MARILLION standards!) three months at their own Racquet Club studio, AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT is the sound of a band at the height of their powers.
Consistently releasing records of stunning clarity and emotional depth, MARILLION have gained themselves a reputation for crafting adult rock music of the highest calibre. Few bands can match their effortless musical grace, and in STEVE HOGARTH, the band possesses a singer/lyricist of conciderable insight and vocal warmth.
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