I've been fan of Marillion since Fish, the previous vocalist, left the band. The first album without Fish, "Seasons End" represented a huge change from the previous one "Clutching at Straws" (Sugar Mice, one of my favourite songs). What about the change...I loved it!. I mean, i liked Marillion when Fish was in the band, but i liked Marillion more when Steve H came to freshen up' things.
The new style, supported completely by Mark Kelly and his keyboards, stunned me. In that time (1990 or 1991) i was in my teenage years, so the lyrics of Steve H and the solos of Steve R made my heart almost explode.
For me, the best album of Marillion is "Brave", a true masterpiece of contemporary rock. This album is in my TopTen list of all times. One of the songs of this album "The Great Scape" is so emotional and sad that almost destroyed my soul. Maybe that's why Steve H fihished this album with a beaufitul song of hope "Made Again".
The last album of Marillion that i heard with attention was "This Strange Engine", the subsequent albums (Radiation, Marillion.com, Anoraknophopia) were so weird to me that I stopped listening to Marillion.
Now, with this album Marbles, I think their sound is evolving to something grate again.
Tom, it would be great if you give yourself the opportunity to listen to the "Brave" album.
ADIOS.