Marillion

Single - Thankyou Whoever You Are

Play 90 second soundbite of 'Thankyou Whoever You Are' @ 'CD quality'

Marillion are back and they're hoping that their new single, 'Thankyou Whoever You Are', will see them once again climbing to lofty heights. Although 'Thankyou Whoever You Are' is a more than competent work, I'm not sure that it's really gonna get them back where they were though - at least not on its own! !

A awful lot has changed since Marillion were one of the biggest prog rock bands around and I'm not sure that the circle has turned fully enough just yet to enable Marillion to just simply step back into things. 'Thankyou Whoever You Are' is a slow, balladic rocker full of big 'strings', soaring guitar runs and passionate vocals; as an album track it works pretty well but as a single I can't help but feel it lacks a bit of impact. Sure, long-time followers will be happy to see their heroes back on the scene but I'm not sure there'll be masses of new devotees joining the throng on the back of this single. There'll be sales, of course there will, especially as the single's being released to coincide with a UK tour which is certain to boost sales both of this and the album - but I don't see this really making the big money without 'new blood' in the fan-base!

I was one of the Marillion faithful for several years and I have to admit to being a bit disappointed when I first listened to 'Thankyou Whoever You Are' - it just didn't hit the spot and even after several plays I'm still not totally getting it as a single. I have to admit, it is a bit of a grower though and as the 'B' side, 'Most Toys', is very much in the same groove I guess I'll have to concede to their better judgement and insider knowledge if I'm to really believe that Marillion are gonna be back to stay and really compete once again.

Now, these guys aren't musical slouches, they're all bloody good musicians and know how to get things done. But, 'Thankyou Whoever You Are' just seems a bit weak, a little too cluttered and lacking somewhat in ooomph to be a stand-alone single. I'll be interested to see just how Marillion get on with 'Thankyou Whoever You Are'- Marillion may be back but, for me, they haven't come back with a 'bang', they've sort of drifted in with somethin' akin to a small 'pop'. I don't mind being proved wrong and I really hope Marillion do well with 'Thankyou Whoever You Are' - let's wait and see.

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