My All Time Fave Albums #26

There are always those albums that you discover a few years after their release, and you wonder why you missed it the first time around.  Those records sometimes become some of the most important music in your life. This is one such album. Marillion - Misplaced Childhood

I discovered Marillion in High School with their live EP, Real to Reel. It was a more progressive approach to the music I was listening to at the time, but the lyrics and guitar work had me returning to it often. Misplaced Childhood was released in the summer of 1985, and was getting a bit of press in mags like Kerrang.  For whatever reason, I did not pick this album up until probably a dozen years later when I found the two disc set for a good price.  I would say this record is a desert island for me, with it's great concept, Fish's outstanding and touching poetry, Steve Rothery's tasteful playing, and it's fresh take on bands like Genesis and Floyd without ripping them off.  I've introduced a few friends to it, and nobody is ever disappointed.

Misplaced Childhood is a concept album, where all of the tracks run together seamlessly. The lyrics touch on loneliness, sadness, lost love, and losing the innocence of childhood.  Sounds a little depressing, doesn't it? It's done in a very moving way and the album ends on a positive and triumphant note with White Feather.  When an album is this good,it's hard to pick fave tracks.  From the brilliant prog pop of single Kayleigh, through the stellar Bitter Suite/Heart of Lothian and masterpiece Blind Curve, this is a record for people who love good music, and good music is ALWAYS a great discovery.

Although Marillion has forged on all these years (minus Fish) and still making quality music, nothing has caught lightning in a bottle like they did in 1985.  Here is the video for Kayleigh. Enjoy!