Many years ago Marillion decided to take the independent route (via www.marillion.com) in selling its music and performances to a loyal fan base. In fact it was one of the first bands here in the UK to use the Internet and go fully independent. 23 years after the band was formed, and with a ‘new,’ well established lead man in Steve Hogarth, the band is about to release its fifteenth album, and arguably its best.

SOMEWHERE ELSE is a soulful, contemplative rock album carried along by the most subtle melodic backbone, and some of the finest lyrics I’ve heard from a British band in recent years. Opening track The Other Half introduces the album on an upbeat note. Clattering drum rhythm and Hogarth’s fine vocal dominate the first segment until a lone guitar rings out before the expressive vocal comes back for more. It’s fine, faultless, mature opening that avoids the standard rock rough and tumble. See It Like A Baby is next and demonstrates the excellent lyrical qualities of the song writing: “Taste it like you never tasted it before/Try and forget it/So you can remember it/ See it like a baby…” Next track Thankyou Whoever You Are is even better: “What a time this is/Everything changing/Faster than the eye can blink/Faster than you can stop and think…” Hogarth’s voice a key ingredient here as he wanders the musical scale with ease. Instrumentally it’s also very strong with keyboards and guitar taking full flight after the middle-eight. Most Toys rocks out as Hogarth mocks the material and personality culture we all now find ourselves buried by. Title track, Somewhere Else slows to crawling pace as the subject of ‘This rock star trip’ is described with a sense of truth and regret. It’s a gorgeous song sung with immense expression and sincerity – a highlight of the album. Another personal favourite is the highly original No Such Thing with its, gentle and continuous guitar refrain and haunting vocal that hovers over it. Last song Faith is a simple and compelling acoustic song that reminds me of the Beatles at their most sensitive, before it opens out in jazzy style with bass guitar resplendent. It finishes on an ‘I Am The Walrus instrumental/electronic moment to complete an excellent album. There’s a diversity of sounds and pace on this album that makes it stand out from the crowd. I like it a lot.

4/5