3.
Marbles by Marillion (246 Plays) - This is the pinnacle of Marillion albums, their magnum opus, the epitome of their sound! I am, of course, referring to the 2 CD version of the album, which includes ALL of the songs, most notably "Ocean Cloud", one of my favorite Marillion tracks EVER. This whole album, while not a direct concept, is held together by it's four title tracks that describe a boy's playing with marbles and their metaphorical meanings to life. Throughout the rest of the album, we're treated with vignettes, little song stories, and they're all paced so evenly well so as to feel like a concept album. There's highs, lows, quite a few different tempos and styles, but all still definably Marillion. Of course, the standout tracks are "Invisible Man", "Neverland" and the aforementioned "Ocean Cloud", but the shorter tracks are also spectacular, particularly "Fantastic Place", "The Only Unforgivable Thing" and "You're Gone". I mean, I love and enjoy every track on here, but those are highlights. At least I know I am not alone in ranking this so high, or at very least having listened to it so much. After a 2-3 year struggle with trying to like Marillion (from 2005-2006/7), it was THIS album that broke the barrier for me, and I realized my life had been missing Marillion. With this album, it truly was a better way of life!
2.
The Whirlwind by Transatlantic (Main album, 401 Plays; Bonus Disc Tracks 1-4, 276 Plays) - It's hard to believe this album is already over 3 years old, but reaching over 400 plays, the main album is a masterpiece for me. When it was announced that Transatlantic were recording a new album, I had doubts they could surpass my previous favorite and masterpiece-of-all-time,
Bridge Across Forever, but about 8 months after the announcement and at the time of release, "The Whirlwind" proved me wrong. Every single moment of this album was pure magic, and it was then that I knew these four guys could do no wrong. Each of the song's twelve movements is a song in itself, but the whole is definitely and undoubtedly greater than the sum of its parts. This was an epic concept, driven by emotionally touching melodies, powerful rhythms (especially Pete's bass, and to which I use this album as a benchmark for great bass sound and production), and great lyrics (yes, even the final movement). This was, and always will be, a top 5 album for me, and definitely a desert island disc.
But even more so if you include the 2nd disc! Now, I say above that I count only Tracks 1-4 because I don't really listen to the cover songs too often, as good as they are, but whenever I listen to "The Whirlwind" now, I tack on "Spinning", "Lenny Johnson", "For Such A Time", and "Lending A Hand" as they ARE Transatlantic originals, and while many fans don't find the quality of much of these tracks to be as great as the main album, I think they're just as special. It also amazes me that they had the time to flesh out and record four more original tunes, and have that much material left over! Each track is unique and while they're showing their influences (Yes, The Beatles), the sound is still Transatlantic, and I hope they play one or more of these in their coming years!
Well, that does it for this batch, and only one album remains, and those who have been paying attention should be able to figure it out!? I'll update tonight with my write-up about it!
-Marc.