Happiness Is the Road
Occupation
- Steve Hogarth - vocals, piano
- Steve Rothery - Guitar
- Mark Kelly - Keyboards
- Pete Trewavas - bass, guitar
- Ian Mosley - drums
Happiness Is the Road (English for "Contentment is the way") is the fifteenth studio album by the British progressive rock band Marillion. It was published on 20 October 2008 and consists of two parts: Happiness Is the Road Volume 1: Essence and Happiness Is the Road, Volume 2: The Hard Shoulder.
Background
After the previous album Somewhere Else was waived a pre -order campaign with deluxe edition, which added to some resentment among the fans, was a lot on offer with Happiness Is the Road again for the fans. In October 2007, the " Deluxe Campaign Edition" was announced, and the pre-orders were made. As producer Michael Hunter was obliged again.
Formats
In addition to the " Deluxe Campaign Edition " which consists of the two CDs and two 96-page hardcovers with many pictures of the Spanish artist Antonio Seijas, there was Essence and The Hard Shoulder as a single 1-CD jewel case version. As of February 2009, there was the EMI retail version, both CDs in a double jewel case. Later, from the end of 2009, Vol 1 & Vol 2 were ( a double album so per volume) is also offered as a 180g vinyl 45rpm discs.
Title list
Volume 1: Essence
Volume 2: The Hard Shoulder
Singles
As the only " single" was in July 2008 Whatever Is Wrong with You? published as a free download for promotional purposes. Connected with it was a competition to find the video with the most calls on YouTube to this song.
Reviews
Volume 1: Essence
Essence " " On the first hearing acts " uncoordinated, disorganized, semi- finished and disoriented. Also, I 've had much better productions of Marillion heard. The sound leaves something to be desired in my opinion and with the choice of the producer I 'm also not entirely agree. I want Dave Meegan again have [sic ], which has the guys always tinkered a dense, rich and sublime sound. Quite so bad, however, is then not. Good to keep [sic ] I would like to "Brave II", er, " Essence", but that developed after several Hördurchgängen a certain fascination, if you invest a little time. This does not mean that I heard the album beautiful [sic ] did, but rather that the good songs carry the concept of quasi- and yet still somehow let the whole act positively, you can see times on " Nothing Fills the Hole ". "
"For some pages I heard in advance that this particular work strongly to " Brave " -oriented, but in all honesty, " Happiness Is The Road, Volume 1: Essence " sprayed neither this special atmosphere, nor the passion of " Brave " because, strictly speaking, none of this song really comes to the point. "
"To be happy is to be inclined to say " Close your eyes, enjoy and dream. " In the case of " Essence " this is true even to the content. This concept album has a dream - the concept - to the content. Whether this is a dream or a conscious metaphysical contemplation of the meaning of life, is at the interpretation of the listener. But it is fascinating how perfectly Marillion musically and lyrically succeed this dream experience. "
" Essence is the weaker of the two; she has an unfortunate touch of AOR, which makes it difficult for the listener, to remember what you hear. "
Volume 2: The Hard Shoulder
"These are not compositions, which are strung together fragments without major vision. The lyrics are one-dimensional, didaktisierend and annoying obviously. "
" " Happiness Is The Road, Volume 2: The Hard Shoulder " works great. While it creates the new material does not really get at the classics of the band, but a band like Marillion who at least tried themselves to advance with every album and further, must ultimately not copy to still publish outstanding songs moving. "
" Marillion is thus the rock album that they have been trying for years to produce. This time seems to be the pre-financed again by fans album but to have been definitively taken the pressure off the belt, be sure to write hits and these are relaxed awareness can be felt from the first to the 53rd minute. Thus, although no hits are once able to be dominate the radio charts - most likely it will create no song " on air" - but the fan and every buyer is pleased with nine successful, though not overriding songs, without a failure. The "Skip " key must not be pressed for the first time since "Brave ", and it's been already 14 years. "
"... With part two of the" Happiness is the Road "series Marillion has the ship back on course. "
Happiness Is the Road
" Conclusion: " Happiness Is The Road " Marillion is a double album that which, though unmistakably Marillion, but nevertheless presents new elements. The two albums are a treasure trove for fans and probably for a long time, reverberate long as you can go on an endless journey of discovery here. "
" Definitely, " Happiness Is The Road " not an album for a quick snack become, it challenges the listener out on the line. Definitely gone are the days when the men have thought about how you can sound radio friendly. However, even the really progressive times seem to be over. Or rather, this album is probably a nice material for discussion, what now is prog-rock and what not! "