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Review Summary: Brilliant, a true prog masterpiece. It’s the true pinnacle of the band. “Misplaced Childhood” is the third studio album of Marillion and was released in 1985. The line up on the album is Derek Dick “Fish”, Steve Rothery, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas and Ian Mosley.
Marillion is a British prog rock band that was formed in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, in 1979. They released eighteen studio albums till now, comprising two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of their original vocalist Fish, in the late of 1988, after their first four studio albums, and the subsequent arrival of his replacement Steve Hogarth, in the early of 1989. With Fish, Marillion released four studio albums and with Hogarth, fourteen studio albums, till now.
With its lush production and mix, “Misplaced Childhood” became the huge commercial triumph of them, especially in Europe where the band raised the peak of their fame and became known as one of the most famous prog rock bands in the world. This was also really their most commercial successful album, reaching the first position in the UK charts and spending a total of forty one weeks on the chart, the longest chart residency that a Marillion’s album ever got. It was a successful album in USA too. The band made a tour with Rush as a support act. So, it was an amazing successful work.
The album featured also their most successful single, “Kayleigh”, which reached the second position in the list of the most commonly, listen in U.K. and was a worldwide success too. The name of the song was conceived by Fish slightly disguising the name of one of his girlfriends, Kay Lee, on which the song was inspired. “Lavender” was another song that was also released as a single and it was also a great commercial success. It reached the fifth position on the chart.
“Misplaced Childhood” is a conceptual album, the first conceptual album released by the group, consisting of a continuous piece of music. Armed with a handful of lyrics born out of a self confessed acid trip, during ten hours after consuming LSD, Fish came up with this very well elaborated concept for the album. The story of “Misplaced Childhood” is essentially about lost loves, sudden success, acceptance, lost childhood and it has, surprisingly, an upbeat ending.
Since this is a conceptual album, the music is fragmented. Most songs consist of short themes tied together. The lyrics are even more fragmented and they are difficult to interpret. “Pseudo Silk Kimono” has mellow synthesiser tones, a warm bass line and a guitar hinting in the back, with Fish’s soft whispering voice. As the synth tones of “Pseudo Silk Kimono” fades, the guitar intro to “Kayleigh” starts. It’s a classic prog ballad, a sad invocation for regret and self blame. A piano segue connects “Kayleigh” and “Lavender”. It combines a traditional English nursery rhyme with classic rock components. It’s a touching love song with a sentiment of beauty. “Bitter Suite” starts with an ambiguous poem. It’s brooding and dramatic, with multiple sections and a beautiful piano ending. “Heart Of Lothian” is a pretty straightforward rock song. The lyrics are about Fish’s nationalism. It has cohesive keyboards and drums, catchy guitar riffs, strong bass lines and Fish’s dramatic voice. “Waterhole (Expresso Bongo)” is aggressive, lyrically and musically. It starts with menacing keyboard tones before drums kick in and a high paced rock song full of percussion. “Lords Of The Backstage” is a paced rock song. The music quietens again for the epic on the album. “Blind Curve” is another fragmented song like “Bitter Suite”. Rothery takes over with one of his most beautiful guitar solos. “Childhood’s End” is a sweet song. Trewavas playing is superb, keyboards also make an important part for the song and the strumming playing of Rothery’s guitar would become his trademark. “White Feather” is a great closer, very energetic and dynamic.
Marillion’s artwork has always been special and unique. Mark Wilkinson painted all artwork of Marillion’s albums in Fish era and for the subsequent solo career of Fish, beyond other British bands. The artwork for “Misplaced Childhood” followed the concept of the album. The artist portrayed a child, with the thunderclouds surrounding him while the jester is sneaking out of the window on the backside of the album. The boy became one of the faces of Marillion in the future.
Conclusion: Besides be their most commercial successful album, “Misplaced Childhood” is, for me, and without any doubt, their best studio album until today, and is also, in my humble opinion, one of the best studio albums ever made in the progressive rock music. Even the former drummer of Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy commented that this was the best Marillion’s album of all time. With “Misplaced Childhood”, Marillion proved they weren’t a clone of Genesis and with it they reached the status of being considered one of the best progressive rock acts ever. “Misplaced Childhood”, put Marillion on the same quality level of Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Van Der Graaf Generator, Camel, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Rush and Dream Theater. It put them as one of the greatest and most influential prog bands of ever too. If you don’t know the band yet and want to buy a Marillion’s albums, this is their best.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
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Album Rating: 5.0
As we know, after their amazing and surprising EP "Market Square Heroes", Marillion released two another excellent albums, Script For A Jester's Tear" in 1983 and "Fugazi" in 1984. But in 1985, they released, which is for me, their biggest masterpiece, "Misplaced Childwood".
Since I'm a great fan of the band and particularly of this album, I needed to review it too. It was already in my plans for some time. Finally I decided to do that now. Besides it's one of the best and most important neo-prog albums ever. So, it fits very well in this my short journey to this sub-genre of prog.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
"Armed with a handful of lyrics born out of a self confessed acid trip, during ten hours after consuming LSD, Fish came up with this very well elaborated concept for the album."
Lol, didn't know that. Nice.
I always found this to be a bit underwhelming, especially compared to the brilliant Script For a Jester's Tear. Still a good album though.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Yeah, it's true. The man once confessed that.
Nice to see another fan of Marillion in Fish era. And yes, "Script For A Jester's Tear" is a "monstrous" album too.
Thanks for comment, pal.
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Oops, I have this album lying around but I have yet to listen to it. Thanks for the reminder to finally take it on.
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
In spite of the fact that this was a landmark in neo-prog, I really can't enjoy the ballad-ish and pop sound through out the whole album.
Bom trabalho!
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
"I have this album lying around but I have yet to listen to it."
But you should Psych. I'm glad that my review can be a force to remind you.
Thanks for the comment.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off
I agree with your summary, this is their masterpiece, and one of the best albums within the genre.
It was the band's brief taste of success.
I liked the informative way you're describing the album track by track, but I'd prefer something more emotional, I'd like to understand what you feel/felt when listening to the album. This is an album of emotions, in my opinion ;)
But don't get me wrong, you did a good job mate.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
This time we disagree, Zig. It's true that it's very melodic and has some popish influences, as happen with almost all neo-prog albums. I always sustained that neo-prog isn't nothing else than symphonic prog in a more melodic, simple and "commercial" way. So, it isn't a coincidence that almost all the neo-prog bands have a strong influence of Genesis. Still, I always loved the neo-prog sub-genre, and particularly this band and album.
Anyway, obrigado amigo pela sua participação com o seu comentário.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks Notrap. I admit that you can be right. But, I always thought that it's more important to describe the album and the way it was created and leave to the people their personal emotions. In general, this is always the focus of all my reviews. I think to listen an album is a very personal and unique experience that can be felt differently by the people. I even think that it also depends of your state of mind in different moments. It happens to me have different feeligs when I listen particularly an album in different states of mind. This is the main reason why I'm more informative on my reviews, leaving for the listener their personal feelings. This is also the reason why I love so deeply the prog rock music. I think it's so different and diverse that can fits to everybody, if the listener have patience enough to listen any work with an open mind. This is the beauty of prog, really.
Meanwhile, I'm waiting by your review of this album too. Seriously, I think it deserves some more reviews. A masterpiece is a masterpiece and deserves the greatest possible attention and comments.
And thanks.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Album contains some of the best progressive rock tracks band has ever written.It has a poppish flair in places, but it doesn't remove anything of its progressive rock flow. Zig, I think you particularly talk about Kayleigh. It's the second track of the album, and it could leave a false impression, since it's the most poppish, balladish song on the album. There are some other balladish songs, but they all have a taste of prog.
Will read your review later, e21, mate.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Yeah, Jethro. You put your finger on the "wound". As I mentioned on my review, “Kayleigh” and “Lavender” were also released as singles. So, it isn't strange. But, as you said, all album has a taste of prog. Besides, we are talking about the 80's, the terrific and troubled times to prog.
Ok. I wait for your final comment my friend.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off
It's your way of reviewing an album and that's all that matters. Personally, I always like to grab each listener's interpretation. As you said, each individual has his own personal opinion. I love to see it reflected in the writing, like a fingerprint.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Ok and again thanks by your opinion Notrap. I also respect that too. I'm glad that there are different views of the same subject. After all this is why the world is so rich.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Clutching at Straws is the pinnacle but this is the classic
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks for your opinion JS. I also love "Clutching At Straws". Actually it's my third favourite. But this one and "Script For A Jester's Tear" are really the classics.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Clutching is by far their peak imo but this is still an amazing album
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks for your opinion bro.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
This is certainly their best album that I've heard. Nice review, e.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thanks Diva.
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I was at school when Marillion were at their best with the main man Fish. A girlfriend introduced me to their music and I have loved them ever since. I've never managed to find anything that I like from the MK2 Steve Hogarth fronted band even though I've tried many times. I saved my paper round money to buy Misplaced Childhood and listened to it so much that I wore out the LP. I now have it on MP3 and listen to it several times a week and have done for nearly 35 years. It is an old friend that has kept me company through good times and bad. My love for this album knows no bounds and it will be with me to the end of my days. There simply isn't a better album.
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