As with most of Marillion’s output this just secretes quality from the opening track to the end. To sweeten the pot, they include a couple of live tracks. So not only do you get a stellar album, there is a decent amount of tracks to keep the value for money.
It’s a wonderful collection of tracks that work nicely when you are in your mellow mood. Most rock band’s acoustic albums are for fans only, this one should expand Marillion’s fanbase. Acoustic albums for rock bands sometimes don’t work, this one is an exception. Enjoy the beauty that is Marillion stripped down. The perfect antidote to the chaos that is the holiday season.
WASP: Babylon
Blackie and company are back with one of their best releases since their peak. Their most solid release since The Headless Children and one that stands up to multiple listens. WASP can always manage one good track or two per album, but this one is pretty solid every track. It's nominally based around the four horsemen of the apocalypse, which is made fairly obvious by the cover. That said, Blackie has made sure that the songs work on their own as well as part of the package. They even manage to produce a decent cover of the Deep Purple classic “Burn,” Lawless and his band make it their own.
“Babylon’s Burning”, the title track, has got all the elements of a great WASP song. And there are nods on here to other great metal songs about this sort of thing like “Number of the Beast” by Iron Maiden. Lawless seems to be taking the baton from other bands who have handled the song and put his own take on it. There is an LA feel to the whole thing which is kind of fun. However, unlike many LA denizens, Blackie can get all introspective and get away with it.
If you have always had a soft spot for WASP, and who doesn’t, then this might be the release that brings you back to the band. A solid metal concept release that works as a whole and in parts.
That is your lot for the week, I hope there is something here for you or your giving needs. Stay safe and check out any live music that you can find.
Article comments