h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Judging from the statistical sample of "Script for a Jester's Tear" and "Misplaced Childhood", I agree with the Guide entry about Marillion's overall musical quality, especially in contrast to the bleak situation in early 1980's music overall.

But one additional observation can be made about Marillion: They whine. Constantly. Two albums full of whining. Indeed, these are theme albums, whose theme is whining. The combination of sad songs and a high-pitched vocalist tends to get old before a 45-minute LP is done playing.

Whining is not quite strong enough.
More like suicidally depressive wailing.
But good anyway.

Think Marillion are bad?

What about Morrisey. Personally I get suicidal every time I hear one of their 'Poetic Laments'.

Well, the Fish-era lyrics are pretty much all about Fish's personal problems in one way or another, so they could be seen to whine. Steve Hogarth/John Helmer's lyrics, however, are a lot less personal and optimistic. But they don't sell as many records now so less people know about it. It's a damn shame.

Not that I would want to defend Morrissey, ever, but "Girlfriend in a coma" is one of the funniest songs I've ever heard.

Actually, a complete list of bands that have (or had) whiny lead vocalists would be too long to fit in the Hitchhiker's Guide. Many of these bands are very good, but they'd be even better without their whiny vocalists.

Admittedly Morrissey's band without its whiny lead vocalist would just be a bunch of studio musicians. But on the other hand, take Pink Floyd. Their glory days in the 1970s featured Roger Waters, who developed into the ultimate whiny writer/vocalist. They put out great albums, but toward the end it was real wrist-slitting stuff. When he left the band, the remaining members recorded some much happier stuff, and collectively became one of the world's five highest-paid entertainers.

And whatever happened to dear old Roger, after 'Amused to Death'.

Actually, if you think H's lyrics are a lot less personal than Fish's used to be - you obviously haven't either listened to or understood many songs, most notably 'Beyond You', 'Now She'll Never Know' and 'House'. Great songs, those.

Cheers,

Ed

I'm afraid I've listened to and understood just those very songs, thank you very much. >

Obviously there are exceptions. However, if you compare the lyrical content of 'Fugazi' to, say, 'Radiation' (where H wrote all the words), Fish's style is a kind of confessional poetry, whereas H seems to be more of a storyteller in the way he writes, regardless of what the song is actually about.

What about Assasing!

....Pink floyd the world's five highest paid musicians.

Strange then that there's only 3 official members!!!

I still buy, listen to and enjoy both versions of Marillion and indeed Fish's solo catalogue, which continues to get better as he gets older.

Point of reference....current age....42...!!

Pink Floyd in concert is more like ten musicians, if you count the reinforcements and the dancing girls.

But anyway, what I meant to say was: the last time they toured, Pink Floyd held one entry on the list of the world's top five highest paid entertainers. The list went something like:

1. Steven Spielberg
2. Oprah Winfrey
3. The creator of Barney the Dinosaur
4.
5. Pink Floyd

See three above, he should be shot!!