Marbles [Enhanced]

1. Invisible Man

2. Marbles I

3. You're Gone

4. Angelina

5. Marbles II

6. Don't Hurt Yourself

7. Fantastic Place

8. Marbles III

9. Drilling Holes

10. Marbles IV

11. Neverland

12. Don't Hurt Yourself [*][Multimedia Track]

Marbles,Marillion,Dead Ringer,Album Rock,England,Neo-Prog,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Marbles [Enhanced]

Average customer rating: Good but not the best stuff Pink Floyd Meets Crowded House Let it grow on you The world's gone mad! Steve Hogarth has earned another chance

Marbles Marillion Manufacturer: Dead Ringer ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Somewhere Else Fear of a Blank Planet Misplaced Childhood Clutching at Straws Script for a Jester's Tear ASIN: B0002Y4TM4 Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

1. Invisible Man
2. Marbles I
3. You're Gone
4. Angelina
5. Marbles II
6. Don't Hurt Yourself
7. Fantastic Place
8. Marbles III
9. Drilling Holes
10. Marbles IV
11. Neverland
12. Don't Hurt Yourself [*][Multimedia Track]

Customer Reviews:

Good but not the best stuff.......2007-04-09

Ive heard See It Like a Baby ... it's kind of catchy ... very commercial
... I will (eventually) buy the new CD ... MARBLES is a good record (3.5 stars) but too many sleepy-yawn tracks like Angelina and Don't Hurt Yourself {and I don't care for Steve's falsetto voice in the chorus - if a chorus is not in your range of your real voice, write a different melody} ..... Don't know if anyone agrees but sad to me the days of BRAVE, AOS and SEASONS END are just flat-out gone ..... Marillion like any band wants to be successful and has decided they just can't do it making the type of music of the above ... maybe they're right ... Or maybe for some odd reason they prefer this style ... Anyway good CD and I look forward to new Fish release (I support both artists =lly)

Pink Floyd Meets Crowded House.......2007-02-20

I think this best describes Marillion. They have the David Gilmour type solos, the Neil Finn-like singing, the Pink Floyd minor key tinged songs and epics and the Crowded House melodies. My advice is to skip the domestic US release and get the double CD import. To fully enjoy this CD, one must listen to the song "Ocean Cloud," which is only available on the import. Great album, great band.

Let it grow on you.......2007-02-12

This is a review of the single cd version.
On the first listen I was surprised it sounded so mainstream (for Marillion, anyway). Since I found the music quite pleasant, I kept playing it and kept finding layers and layers of surprises, which is quite typical from these guys. I like it a lot now, A LOT.

The world's gone mad!.......2007-01-29

When you can put on an album and just sit back and do nothing, just let the music take you on an emotional and powerful journey, it's really something special about it. There are very few albums that have the same effect on me like Marbles have. Its melodic and professional, sometimes relaxing, sometimes upbeat music takes you through a delightful darkness with a colourful brightness and a loving atmosphere. Not in the same musical style as Misplaced Childhood, but it still brings the question; "Can music be any better than this".

Steve Hogarth has earned another chance.......2007-01-29

I had given Marillion every chance to keep my interest in the post-Fish era, but had found the band to maddeningly inconsistent. "Season's End" was pretty good, but included a couple of la-la-la love songs that were completely out of place. "Brave" had its moments, in spite of the fact that it just seemed like the band was just trying too hard. Other than that, there has been nothing in the Hogarth era that I could stomach. The lyrics had completely deteriorated to over-used metaphors that any heartbroken teenager could have written (i.e. these chains.... yucch.)

In the fall of 2004 Marillion came to Cleveland. I went to see the show, not knowing they had a new album out (since I had long since stopped paying any attention.) I figured it would be worthwhile to sit through a few sing-alongs to get a dose of Steve Rothery's masterful guitar work.

As the concert got underway and gained momentum, the two things that completely struck me were that I did not recognize any of the songs, and that I was really really enjoying the show. I came to the conclusion that these songs must have been the best of the albums that I had never given a proper chance, or had never bought in the first place. And evidently I wondered this aloud to a stranger next to me, and he was nice enough to bring me up to speed. What they had been playing was the new album, "Marbles," in its entirety. Really? This could change everything, I thought to myself. And that thought had no sooner crossed my mind when the first haunting notes of "Neverland" washed over the audience. The song lasted 10 minutes, and at the end I remember trembling as though I had just experienced something spiritual.

The next day I went to the local indie music store and bought my copy of "Marbles." This is a pretty good record. The first song ("The Invisible Man") and the last song ("Neverland") are the strength of the record, both powerful prog rockers featuring changes in tempo and volume. If you have 22 minutes to kill, playing just these two songs at substantial volume would be a wonderful use of your time.

The record also includes a few pop toe-tappers ("Don't Hurt Yourself," "Fantastic Place" and "You're Gone"). I find that I will listen to these if for no other reason than to allow myself to catch my breath after "Invisible Man" has ended and waiting for "Neverland" to start. If had only the time to listen to the toe-tappers and was not able to hear either or both of the bookends, I would be left feeling cheated.

The rest of the record I tend to skip over. "Marbles I-IV" was cute the first time or two, but now seems like an interruption. "Angelina" bores me, and "Drilling Holes" is an irritating bit of noise.

Without "The Invisible Man" and "Neverland," "Marbles" would still be an improvement over most of the work Marillion has put out in the last 15 years, but that isn't saying much. With those two songs, and in spite of "Drilling Holes," my rating for this record jumps to 4 stars. Unfortunately, I bought the single disk version at a store instead of the double disk version from the Marillion website (which includes another epic, "Ocean Cloud," a fantastic song that I have since heard on their live DVD "Marbles on the Road"). "Marbles" would have gotten 4 1/2 stars if "Ocean Cloud" would have replaced "Drilling Holes" on the single disk.

Average customer rating: Cohesive shambles Synchronistic, Witty, and Strange Enon Marbles and Exploded Evidence a good album Two different bands Interesting mix of genres

Lost Marbles and Exploded Evidence Enon Manufacturer: Touch & Go Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Noise | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Believo! The Gulag Orkestar Our Love to Admire Return to Cookie Mountain (with Bonus Tracks) New Moon ASIN: B0007KIFRI Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

1. Knock That Door
2. The Nightmare Of Atomic Men
3. Adalania (Not So Fair)
4. Drowning Appointments
5. Normal Is Happening
6. Grain Of Assault
7. Genie's Got Her Bag
8. Kanon
9. Blow Infinite Ways
10. Tilt You Up!
11. Marbles Explode
12. Raisin Heart
13. Evidence
14. Fly South
15. Making Merry! Merry!
16. Party Favor

Album Description

This limited edition collection isn't a singles comp per se. These songs, collected over a six-year period, range from limited edition singles to web-only downloads, and from semi-attainable to gimme-a-break-how-was-I-supposed-to-find-that? The DVD contains tour footage, live performances, and a collection of videos, including the eye-popping clips for "In This City" and "Daughter In The House Of Fools".

Customer Reviews:

Cohesive shambles.......2006-02-07

Really quite an astonishing array of styles, with songs that contain their own interludes. Everything from dance-party fuel (Knock That Door, Tilt You Up) to tongue-in-cheek Magnetic Fields-isms (Adalania, Grain of Assault) to indelible mixtures that defy easy classification. Ultimately rewarding in its rocktronic uber-eclecticism.

Synchronistic, Witty, and Strange.......2005-07-26

"Excuse me Mister Mister can you Spare some more Resistors"
This is a lyrical line that I found amusing about the album.

Still trying to figure out what "exactly" they are saying and/or trying to say...

Not so sure about the "Timeing" of this album release date.
It was either a true temporal anomoly, or some Lame-asses attempt and haveing some "cheap" fun...or even more interesting, Both!

For me finding this album was like running into your best friend that you have not seen in 10 years in a different city in a different country, both of which you have never been to before and just happend to travel there because you randomly won a contest for a vacation that you didn't even enter for.


Oh yeah, and "The Left Brain...The Right Hand."

Enon Marbles and Exploded Evidence a good album.......2005-03-21

Enon
Lost Marbles and Exploded Evidence , good album





New York synth anti-pop group tidies up its archives, but not too tidily


From electro shuffles to punk vamps, this compilation of singles and other odd tracks is something of a jumble, which is exactly how the New York combo likes it. Originally just singer-guitarist-synthist John Schmersal, Enon have evolved into a smart, unpredictable trio, featuring Toko Yasuda's lovely coo. Recorded between 1998 and 2004, these 16 tunes are all short and mostly machine-generated, but range widely in mood and timbre. Yasuda harmonizes with herself atop the chiming riffs and fuzz-bass pulses of "Knock That Door," while Schmersal rants over harsh bleeps and heavy thumps on "Marbles Explode." This package (which includes a DVD) demonstrates that Enon enjoy both melody and noise but savor unpredictability most of all.

Two different bands.......2005-03-15

John Schmersal has awesome ideas and the songs here are just as brilliant as ever. This sounds as cohesive as any of Enon's other releases, which really doesn't say much, but points out one of the strengths of this band- variety is a bonus when each of the distinct styles is comparably satisfying. Some of the songs here hark back to when Rick Lee and Steve Calhoun were in the band, while others sound quite recent. There's a lot of good music here if you can get past Toko's distinctive squeaky little-girl voice which, it must be said, can be a bit annoying sometimes- especially following tracks featuring Schmersal's somewhat subdued and laid-back vocals which are more in the vein of Stephen Merritt. This collection really underscores the sense that there are two Enons- one with Schmersal's uniquely flamboyant and venturesome, yet usually dead-on pop treasures, and one with Toko Yasuda's basic and more accessible beat-driven contemporary pop.

Interesting mix of genres.......2005-03-09

It starts out with a playful soft nasal girly voice and bass in the background to tap your boots to. Album shifts into a more electronic sound as it progresses into the second track, which reminds me of Groove Armada a bit. #3 is really upbeat, #4 bit darker. #6 reminds me of circus music. #9 is more of a pretty piano & violin combination. #16 blues oriented.

The album is a bit unorganized, like they compiled songs they already had recorded earlier.

Tracks you should pay attention to are #2, #4 & #6.

Average customer rating: AWESOME. Do I Even Own This Album? marvelous

Marbles Live Marillion Manufacturer: Intact UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Somewhere Else Return to Childhood Bouillabaisse: The Best of Fish Snakes & Arrows Fear of a Blank Planet ASIN: B000BCE800 Release Date: 2005-10-31

Tracks:

1. Invisible Man
2. Marbles I
3. You're Gone
4. Angelina
5. Marbles II
6. Don't Hurt Yourself
7. Fantastic Place
8. Marbles III
9. Damage
10. Marbles IV
11. Neverland
12. Estonia

Album Description

Recorded on 10th and 11 July at the Astoria in London - the soundtrack to the successful 'Marbles On The Road' live DVD, released in October 2004 - 'Marbles Live' captures the band in fine form at the end of the first leg of their Marbles World Tour. As well as the majority of their latest album 'Marbles' (Marbles is a wonderful thing' - Classic Rock), fans are also treated to a stunning version of 'Estronia'. Intact. 2005.

Album Details

Recorded on Tenth and 11 July at the Astoria in London - the Soundtrack to the Successful 'marbles on the Road' Live Dvd, Released in October 2004 - 'marbles Live' Captures the Band in Fine Form at the End of the First Leg of their Marbles World Tour. As Well as the Majority of their Latest Album 'marbles' (Marbles is a Wonderful Thing' - Classic Rock), Fans Are also Treated to a Stunning Version of 'estronia'.

Customer Reviews:

AWESOME........2007-02-28

Marillion is an underrated band. They deserve credit for taking their chances and experiment with every single recording to find new ways all the time. Sometimes they are more successful -artistic wise speaking- than others, but this shows their integrity and make them deserve respect.
During many years I was the typical old-fashioned Marillion fan that missed Fish in the band. However, I must now say that Marbles is their best job ever after Clutching at Straws. Their live performing at this CD is superb: full of energy, delicacy, artistry and feeling. This is fresh, interesting, inspiring music.
This is the kind of record -as much of prog music- that will demand much of your attention in order for you to capture its real soul. Once to achieve this, you won't let go...

Do I Even Own This Album?.......2006-05-26

The title of this review just about sums it up. It's not that the songs are rubbish it's simply the fact you don't remember them. You put the CD in and begin listening and soon you're doing something else at the same time... on the computer, doing house work, you know something like that. And then the album ends. And you can't remember a thing about it! The songs just simply aren't memorable enough. I'd give you a song to song breakdown but I just honestly can't remember them and I've listened to them quite a lot too.
Now try doing house work or using the computer while listening to Def Leppard's Hysteria or Van Halen's 1984 or even Marillion's own Misplaced Childhood and you'll find yourself picking up lyrics or melodies and thinking "That was a good song". This lacks that.
If you want a good Marillion live album you will enjoy pick up Real To Reel. Baring in mind that's the previous singer Fish you could always opt for the Hogarth era DVD From Stoke Row To Ipanemia. Excellent.

marvelous.......2006-01-03

marbles one of the best albums of all time. the band is capture live on their marillion weekend, and its play entirely the whole album including ocean cloud and the only unforgiveable thing. a true gem

Average customer rating: Quasi-Prog .. Very good nevertheless. I may have spoke too soon! Marbles have never been so fun to play! A Conceptual Masterpiece. Their finest work since Brave!!!! The ultimate Hitec Heart

Marbles Marillion Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Marbles on the Road Brave Picture Fear of a Blank Planet Misplaced Childhood ASIN: B0001W8Q9Y Release Date: 2004-05-10

Tracks:

1. Invisible Man
2. Marbles I
3. You're Gone
4. Angelina
5. Marbles II
6. Don't Hurt Yourself
7. Fantastic Place
8. Marbles III
9. Drilling Holes
10. Marbles IV
11. Neverland
12. You're Gone [Single Mix][*]

Customer Reviews:

Quasi-Prog .. Very good nevertheless. .......2006-11-12

I've owned a couple of early Marillion releases for quite some time. Most notably SFAJT and Fugazi. Both are outstanding albums. However, I never really listened much after Fish left the band. Actually, I haven't heard any of Hogarth's stuff until I listened to this album.

Well, I was actually pleasently suprised by this album. Invisible Man started out kind of slow, not really a problem, but then it just kicked it up about 10 notches to the finale. Now, I know a lot of die hard marillion fans are going to hate me for this .. but .. I don't think I ever heard this kind of emotion come out of Fish. The entire album just reeks of soul. Pure emotion .. Now, that's not to say I think Fish's stuff wasn't good .. Actually, it was great. I just think Hogarth shows a hell of a lot more emtotion, especially in this album.

Besides "The Invisible Man", which may be the only pure-prog track on this album, other highlists include "Ocean Cloud" despite the apparent Pink Floyd rip-off in the middle. It features some pretty powerful drumming and some cool bass lines near the end.

Now onto Neverland, probably my favorite track on the album. This is one of the greatest album closers I have ever heard. It's definately up there with "heart of the sunrise", "Evil Karn 9", "Supper's Ready". Not really in terms of technical ability and whatnot .. However, it just closes the album on a perfect note. This is the emtoion I am talking about. It's absolutely brilliant. Great, great bass lines thrown in here too.

In short, this is a very well done album. Not REALLY prog. Again, this is quasi-prog. If you're a diehard straightfoward PROGRESSIVE fan: You might want to stay away. However, if you're pretty open about your music and don't mind the emtional stuff over the technical stuff, then this album is for you! It's not great, but it's very pleasing on the ears.

I may have spoke too soon!.......2006-06-26

This is a revision to the review I submitted on June 23rd. At that time I had listened to 'Marbles' three times and felt that was ample spins to rate and review the album...Well I spoke too soon. This release has more to it than I originally gave credit. What changed my mind you ask?...simple answer...watching the DVD 'Marbles on the Road'(extended 2 DVD set). Something about visually seeing the music of Marbles made me see/hear some beautiful music that I failed to get from the Audio CD...now I hear something I like in most of the tunes(even the 4 marble theme songs). Fantastic Place is, without a doubt, my favorite song...the chorus going into "Take me to the Island" part is the stuff (the "hooks" I spoke of in first review) that makes the hairs stand up...very moving! So I am bumping the 3 star rating to at least 4 stars and may eventually revise it to a higher rating after further listens/viewings. For anyone who hasn't seen the accompyning DVD of Marbles, I would STRONGLY recommend it...just make sure you get the extended version (available only from Marillion's website) as it includes the rest of the show...most notably 'Afraid of Sunlight','King' and 'The Great Escape'.

Marbles have never been so fun to play!.......2006-03-27

This is a eclectic collection of synchronizing harmony. "The Damage" happens to be one of my favs of this CD, "Don't Hurt Yourself" gives a glimpse of why we all need to appreciate the small things in life. Marillion has been and will always be innovative demi-gods in an often mundane industry. Those who are not familar with Marillion are truly missing out.

A Conceptual Masterpiece. Their finest work since Brave!!!!.......2006-01-28

Ever since the days of Derek Dick aka Fish back in the 80's, Marillion while under the influence of Steve Hogarth aka H, not to mention Fish's replacement, has taken Marillion and their legion of fans on an adventure ever since.

Since the conceptual masterpiece which was to become Brave 10 years earlier, the band have returned for which is perhaps their finest work since that very album. Afraid Of Sunlight was fantastic, This Strange Engine of 1997 also was very good, Radiation from 1998 was interesting and perhaps their weakest link. Marillion.com which was to be released a year later was a slight improvement over Radiation yet still didn't seem to capture the spirit of Marillion to it's entirety. Anoraknophobia which came out 2-3 years later was even more of an improvement yet again. That was a step in the right direction to what was to become the concept of MARBLES!!!

Now the ironic thing is that this album was financed by many of their fans. The fans wanted an album so vadly that they decided to donate funds for the band. So the band simply didn't want to let their fans down especially as it wasn't their money. And hey hey my my did they deliver.

Marbles is truly a album of sheer beauty. I'll be reviewing the 2 CD Campaign Edition which is only available at their website www.marillion.com.

Every song on this album stands out. There is not even a weak song at all. Notable favourites include The Invisible Man, Fantastic Place, Ocean Cloud, Don't Hurt Yourself, You're Gone (which hit the UK Top 10 at #7 much to their surprise), Angelina and Neverland.

Each member of the band plays their hearts out. They really did not let their fans down including myself. On the Campaign Edition set each of the fans that donated to the production of Marbles were included in the booklet. Kind of something like on the Lord Of The Rings Extended Editions where the LOTR fan club members names were listed at the end of the credits.

Now if ever you get the chance, go get the DVD Marbles On The Road. You get to see them perform the album live though it's only the 1CD version. You really get to appreciate the album more in it's live environment. I found it to be very moving.

Marbles is by far one of their finest works since Brave and I do find that it's going to be very hard to top that. I look forward to another album for Marillion even if I need to donate something towards production.

The ultimate Hitec Heart.......2005-11-15

This is why I wonder where or why wonderboys lost there marbles sometime someplace. This CD recollects some of the most emo-intelligent music ever, and I mean EVER recorded.

Do I hear you say self-indulgence? Yes, perhaps, but only for world music's sake. God only knows why we need this emotional "we're all only human (babies, kids, grownups) but we stand up for it" approach in the lyrics of Steve "H" just to try to reach one another without restraints,complexes, prejudices etc. God only knows? What if I do? Would the world become a better place? That's up to you, folks!

Imho this is the only way to get to the heart of things nowadays. These lyrics tell me Steve H. is a real soul brother with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Jon Anderson, Roger Hodgson, Bono, Jim Kerr, Roland Orzabal, Mark Hollis, Richard Ashcroft, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Seal, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill etc. Ouch, this wasn't meant to be just a namedropping but only my reflection on some of the rare ones who found the right way from soul to soul through popular music.

I own the Campaign edition thx to my deeply loved cousin and soul mate and this CD has quickly found its way alongside with the stablemates of my all time favourites.

Many of these are prog. I admit, and I'm mostly proud of it. Listening to any, and I mean ANY kind of music or sound wave generated on this blue marble ball by any creature at all, I certainly do not let interfere the overblown opinion of those who judge a book by its cover.

JUST LISTEN TO THE MUSIC!!! WATCH THAT SOUND !!!

Marillion's Marbles is only Prog music? Answer the question after these:

- The Massive Attack intro to "The Invisible Man". Gasp.
- All Of the Marble Interludes are LoFi enough to appear on any Portishead or Hooverphonic album etc.
- Genie is up to date Simple Minds, only better.
- Fantastic Place is another one of their fantastic Crowded House or Talk Talk impersonifications, uncomparable and pure as only they or Marillion with Steve H. can be. Holy!
- The Only Unforgivable Thing should have been sung by Richard Ashcroft of the late "The Verve" including organ intro etc. Brilliant track!
- Ocean Cloud: if anything compares to Pink Floyd standard, this one does the trick!
- The Damage: intro comes in Maroon 5 avant la lettre. Challenge any new poprock band in intensity, melody, tension and musicianship. Yours to take!
- Don't hurt yourself: folkpop/rock on quite another level than the Corrs (no comment).
- You're Gone: Simple Minds 2005 revisited, only far better...
- Angelina: I just loved the close "Steve H." harmonies "Lonely man's best friend" à la Crowded House on the preview excerpts on the Marillion website. But the guitar work of Steve Rothery on this track makes up for everything!
- Drilling Holes: XTC meets Beatles ecstasy indeed! (the pop group, not the drug, you cokeheads!)
-Neverland: a dream to end it all?

Wake up, lads, to one of the greatest albums in rock history, and only in it's own sake!

There's one for everyone...

depetersè

Average customer rating: Refreshing Great record --- a true pop gem Seen them live, heard the record. Wow Fantastic Band

Angels with Dirty Faces Manda and The Marbles Manufacturer: Addison ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: At the Friendship Motor Inn No Apologies More Seduction Get Real Eat My Heart Out ASIN: B0007LPT2Q Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

1. Kids Just Wanna Dance
2. Ode To Rock
3. Say Anything
4. Lipstick
5. Upside Down
6. Simple Things
7. Confidential
8. Cheap Tragedies
9. Boys Will Be Boys
10. Take It Out On Me
11. Seventeen
12. Let Them Talk

Customer Reviews:

Refreshing.......2006-02-22

This is the best band I've heard in years. Reminds me of Liz Larin or a grown up version of the Go Go's (if they had ever grown up). Every time a song neared its end, I found myself becoming eager to hear the next selection. I found myself thinking, 'Damn I wish I could sing like that' and then 'Damn I wish I could write like that'. I will be buying everything that comes from Manda.

Great record --- a true pop gem.......2005-11-22

I love this album, and you probably will too. Thought I'd post some reviews that are out there that may help you decide if you'd be into it:

"The furious threesome, fronted by angelic bassist Manda, charm us with Blondie/Joan Jett vocals and synthesizers galore. Angels With Dirty Faces has an excellent balance of power pop and punk, especially on cuts like "Ode To Rock" and "Boys Will Be Boys", and flows into more mellow tunes like "Seventeen". This album has a wide range of melodies and is well put together, so much so that anyone can find something to like about it." - Sal Swayzo - Tastes Like Chicken

" it's about dancing, not art. Angels is a fabulous party with big bangs, neon socks and cheap beer. The Marbles do offer the quieter, semi-acoustic "Seventeen", a dramatic and delightful summer-y song dedicated to lost youth and puppy love. But they jump back into the fire before leaving their audience with the fist-pumper "Let Them Talk".For a good time, forget that lame dude's 864-5789 number and dial up Manda & The Marbles. They channel the spirit of bands long gone, but with a boundless energy that saves them from being accused of merely rehashing the past." - Anna Giulani - Girlstown Productions

Seen them live, heard the record........2005-11-20

Retarded, in all aspects and meanings. What? Is she trying to rip off Veruca Salt or does she just have no talent. The husband is okay.

Wow.......2005-03-03

I can't believe how much I like this cd. Something new surprises me every time I give it a spin. At first I was hooked by the super catchy songs, then I realized there was something special under all those addictive rhythms. It seems that every song has a standout line that is super quotable. This band just really knows how to write songs. The lyrics are sometimes clever, sometimes poignant and always worth a closer listen. This band isn't just a delicious candy shell, it has the chocolate filling to match.

If you're looking for music that is fun to listen to, or looking for songs about more than the same old cliches this cd is worth picking up. Its nice to know thst there's someone out there writing music that has style and substance.

Fantastic Band.......2005-03-02

Angels With Dirty Faces has a slightly softer edge than MATM's spectacular previous release, More Seduction, but the most important aspect of the new album is that it shows the excellent songwriting exhibited on the previous disc was no fluke. One great song after another tumbles out of Angels, with nothing that's less than inspired anywhere in sight. MATM has proven they can do a wonderful job with covers, but Manda's original material is what shines most brightly here. Beyond-catchy songs like Say Anything, Lipstick, Simple Things and Boys Will Be Boys remain in one's head long after the last note has played.

The incredibly fun, catchy songs are what allow this record to be great, but the effect on the listener wouldn't be the same without a strong band to back them up. Manda plays a very capable bass, Joe Damage offers sharp, very well-crafted guitar work, the newly added Elias Dubok plays an important role on keyboards, and powerhouse drummer Mark Slak helps bring everything together and prevents the sound from ever getting TOO soft. There are some obvious 80's influences here, but the sound is not retro - Manda & Co. are definining their own little homeplace in today's musical world.

Manda & The Marbles want to take us all for a sonic joyride. I can't imagine why anyone who enjoys rock & roll would want to resist.

Average customer rating: Designing "Expo"

Expo Marbles Manufacturer: Spin Art ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Lo-Fi | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Neo-Psychedelia | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: .010 Songs About the Ocean Green Imagination Velocity of Sound Age of the Sun ASIN: B0007R8FE4 Release Date: 2005-04-05

Tracks:

1. circuit
2. out of zone
3. when you open
4. magic
5. jewel of india
6. hello sun
7. expo
8. cruel sound
9. blossoms
10. move on

Amazon.com

On the new album by his solo project Marbles, Robert Schneider of Apples In Stereo takes a breather from sunnily updated, ultra-catchy `60s indie-pop for a detour down the road of… sunnily updated and almost as catchy `80s pop. But before you go worrying that the recording auteur of the Elephant Six scene has jumped onto some sort of `80s bandwagon, there's nothing electro or disco-punk about this record, at all. It's also largely, blessedly un-ironic. Schneider wanted it to sound like "Gary Numan meets ELO." And by gum, that's a pretty accurate description! Half the album is a bit throwaway, sounding like background music from a cool cartoon or something, but the other half is exactly the kind of perfect pop one expects from Schneider. Expo is not in the same league as classic Apples, but it's the best solo effort by Schneider thus far. "Magic," for instance, has a Game Theory-ish, nu wave Big Star thing going on that's irresistible. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

Designing "Expo".......2005-04-16

Rob Schneider can do it all, and he seems to be determined to. As well as fronting psychpop band the Apples In Stereo, Schneider has also managed to perform solo in two side bands. One is the ultrastark Ulyssess, while the other is whimsical odds-and-ends band the Marbles.

But with "Expo," Schneider seems to have decided to treat the Marbles... seriously. While the debut "Pyramid Landing and Other Favorites" was a chimey lo-fi mishmash, "Expo" is a slicker, colder, and far more polished effort. It's a fun listen, but lacks the unpretentious sweetness of the previous Marbles album.

This time around, Schneider goes pure pop, with nods to the eighties and a strong new wave influence. No lo-fi-ness here -- it's all carefully polished synth waves over gritty guitar riffs. Bu t there are some forays into whimsy: The title track is a one-minute solo, with interwoven little synth melodies that bounce like a sparkling ball.

When dissected, the music is actually pretty simple -- guitar melodies with sheets, waves and doodles of electronica over it. It's a pleasant enough listen, but it lacks the warmth of Schneider's earlier -- albeit sloppier -- work. One of the biggest flaws is that Schneider's voice is buried in the mix. Really, in the heavy-synth songs Scheider sounds like the illicit love child of Devo and the Beach Boys.

Don't get me wrong, "Expo" is fun to listen to -- it's catchy and sweet, in a slick candy-coated way. The instrumentals, if you can call them that, are a bit more eerie and less poppy. And "Hello Sun" is the most enjoyable song that the Polyphonic Spree never made, with Schneider letting rip with joyous calls of "Hello SUN!"

This is not the Marbles as you know it, but it is a fun, synth-heavy little psychpop album. But it may leave you longing for the next Apples in Stereo album, to hear Schneider at his best.

Average customer rating: Marbles or Devotion? A Great Album Called Devotion

Marbles ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Industrial Zen Electric Guitarist Pilgrimage Metheny Mehldau Quartet Extrapolation ASIN: B000KRNF3W Release Date: 2006-12-12

Customer Reviews:

Marbles or Devotion?.......2007-04-12

"Marbles" is simply a masterpiece; and if you are new in the Jazz Fusion or the music of John McLaughlin, this CD is surely "a must own".

However if you are an old fan like me, please consider that all the music on this album already exists on a previous release called "Devotion".

So basically I recommend this album to anyone that does not have "Devotion" in his collection. It is a true masterpiece.
Highly recommended.

A Great Album Called Devotion.......2007-03-20

As a lifetime fan and collector of John McLaughlin albums I am writing this review to warn those who are considering buying this album to instead purchase the remastered version of Devotion. Marbles is a 2006 release of all the songs on Devotion only in a different order. Beware of re-marketers.

Average customer rating: Catchy and original! Manda and the Marbles ROCK! Decent Original Music Pure Excellence Can't Stop Singing Great Album From a Great Band

More Seduction Manda and the Marbles Manufacturer: Go Kart ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Power Pop | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Angels with Dirty Faces No Apologies At the Friendship Motor Inn Eat My Heart Out Get Real ASIN: B00006IQH9 Release Date: 2002-10-29

Tracks:

1. Dangerous
2. Forget About the Day - Manda & The Marbles
3. Wanna Go Home
4. Left Behind - Manda & The Marbles
5. Through
6. Fast Cars
7. Sex Object
8. Hey!
9. Dead By Dawn
10. Sudden Attraction
11. Broken Youth - Manda & The Marbles
12. Seduction

Album Description

2002 release from Go Kart Records. The amazing Manda and the Marbles are a female fronted power pop band, kinda like Molly Ringwald, Joan Jett and Jessica Rabbit rolled into one. Only taller. And blonde.

Customer Reviews:

Catchy and original! Manda and the Marbles ROCK!.......2005-03-12

I first heard of this fantastic band back in 2003 on a compilation CD entitled "Go-Kart vs. The Corporate Giant Vol. 3". I really enjoyed this CD, but, the two songs that really caught my attention were "Seduction" and especially "Sex Object". I let these two songs play over and over again in my CD player. I fell in love with both songs and knew that I had to pick up the CD. When I first got the CD, I was more than thrilled. The songs are very original and very catchy. I enjoy listening to this CD all of the time now. Take these words of advice from a two year fan of Manda and the Marbles: I am still just as huge of a fan of them just as much as I was back when I first heard them in 2003.

Decent Original Music.......2004-11-12

This band is from my neck of the woods. Saw them live and liked them enough to get the CD. They have a lot of energy and the music is not just the "same-old".

Pure Excellence.......2004-09-15

Manda and The Marbles is my new favorite band. The album is filled with spirited power rock and every song is original. It's a lot like The Go Go's except way cooler. Manda Marble is awesome. If you like this as much as I did, I would definitely recommend buying the new cd - Angels With Dirty Faces. It's as good, but more guitar!

Can't Stop Singing.......2003-06-01

This is one of the best bands in the entire world. The songs are so catchy and they make you wanna get up and dance along. My favorites were "Seduction" and "Sex Object".

Great Album From a Great Band.......2003-02-06

This is quite simply one of the best cd's that I have ever heard. Manda and the Marbles are an awesome band that is even better live than they are on this cd, and that's very hard to believe. Manda supplies the vocals and bass, she's so good that you have to jack up the volume high enough so that you don't get in the way of her amazing voice. Mark is on drums and he swings it as well as anyone. Joe is on guitar and absolutely amazing. I'd say that this is a perfect cd for listening to in the car, but then again you might have problems if you try dancing in your seat while driving like i can't help doing. Buy this now, you won't be dissapointed. 10/10

Average customer rating: Strong Bee Gees influence One Great historic Album! The Magnificent Marbles Bee Gees produced & written material

Marbles Marbles Manufacturer: Repertoire ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Maybe Someone Is Digging Underground: Songs of the Bee Gees The Studio Albums 1967-1968 Singing the Songs of Paul Ryan 1968-69 Day I Went Mad Those Were the Days ASIN: B0000DIJLT Release Date: 2003-10-08

Tracks:

1. I Can't See Nobody
2. House Is Not a Home
3. Storybook Children
4. Daytime
5. By the Light of a Burning Candle
6. Stay With Me Baby
7. Only One Woman
8. To Love Somebody
9. Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
10. Elizabeth Johnson
11. Little Laughing Girl
12. Walls Fell Down
13. Only One Woman [Mono Single Version][*]
14. By the Light of a Burning Candle [Mono Single Version][*]
15. Walls Fell Down [Mono Single Version][*]
16. Love You [Mono Version][*]
17. I Can't See Nobody [Mono Single Version][*]
18. Little Boy [Mono Version][*]

Album Description

2003 reissue of the Baroque pop act's 1970 album is packaged in a digipak & features 18 tracks including 6 bonus tracks, 'Only One Woman' (Mono Single Version), 'By The Light Of A Burning Candle' (Mono Single Version), 'The Walls Fell Down' (Mono Single Version), 'Love You', 'I Can't See Nobody' (Mono Single Version), & 'Little Boy' (Mono). Repertoire.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of the Duo's Short Lived Tenure who Made a Brief Splash on the Pop Scene. Trevor Gordon and Graham Bonnet were Cousins who First Played in the Blue Sect. Trevor Soon Moved off the Australia Where He Recorded with the Bee Gees but Would Eventually Be Lead Back to England. The Marbles were One of Robert Stigwood's First Signings. Their Only Hit "Only One Woman" was Penned by the Brothers Gibb as were Five Other Songs on this Album. This Edition also Includes Six Bonus Tracks, Dominated by Mono Single Versions.

Customer Reviews:

Strong Bee Gees influence.......2006-10-31

I can't write anything here to improve on the historical perspectives given by the other reviewers, so no point in trying. But I can offer a simple listener's reaction. As stated elsewhere, this has a definite early Bee Gees sound, and includes many tunes from the trove of Brothers Gibb. The orchestrations are perhaps even more lush than the Bee Gees treatments of the same songs. There are at least two dynamite songs, "Only One Woman" and "The Walls Fell Down," and we are blessed with two versions of each. "Only One Woman" is one of the absolute best songs of this genre you will hear anywhere, I repeat, one of the absolute best. While we can imagine how nice this would sound with Robin Gibb's unique, clotted vocals, we do not yearn for anything other than the vocals delivered here. The version of "Storybook Children" (popularized by Billy Vera) is very nicely done as well. Some of the material, such as Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," does comes across as quite dated, but overall this is a quality product. If you like the baroque style of this era, you should enjoy this!

One Great historic Album!.......2004-05-17

In 1968, Trevor Gordon and Graham Bonnet, friends of the Bee Gees, were signed with Robert Stigwood. Possessing bold voices, the duo only released one album before going their separate ways. But it is a grand album. Only three of the thirteen songs were written by the duo, with six being written by the Bee Gees. The first two singles were Gibb songs and were fairly large hits in 1968 and 1969 with "Only One Woman" becoming a classic. Even corny ballads like, "A House Is Not A Home" and "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" are given new life with Graham Bonnet's soaring vocals. But it's the Gibb songs that bring out the vocal magic of this duo. "By The Light Of The Burning Candle" is pure Gibb confection and "To Love Somebody" will stand high among the other 250 cover versions of this composition. This collection is an important mark in time from these two talented guys.

This version contains five extra Gibb compositions (including the very early "Love You") repeated in Mono. It really doesn't add much to the set other than historical perspective.

The Magnificent Marbles.......2004-04-19

Lovers of '60s Bee Gees and Walker Bros. music will absolutely need to hear this. They may have only recorded one album, but The Marbles made a gem of a pop album if ever there was one. They actually outdo their mentors The Bee Gees with the clever arrangements here, which are upbeat and lively. But the quiet moments are lovely, too, as the self-penned "Daytime" and "Little Laughing Girl" illustrate. And as for the other non-Bee Gees material, "A House is Not a Home" is simply the best-ever version of this often-recorded song. Even Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" is good (it got some radio play in the US). The Marbles singing, solo or harmonizing, is absolutely incredible. Buy this.

Bee Gees produced & written material.......2003-11-28

This reissue brings together the album & 3 singles of Australian duo of vocalists Trevor Gordon & Graham Bonnet(yes,the same Graham Bonnett who later sang with heavy metal bands "Rainbow" & "Alcatrazz").For the 3 singles,it's a good thing that the pure mono versions have been added as bonus tracks,because,though 3 of these 6 songs appear on the album,these 3 appeared in fake stereo on the album.The 3 singles(including their one major UK hit "Only One Woman") have the fingerprints of The Bee Gees all over them.The Bee Gees wrote,produced and played on these 6 songs,which have all of the trademarks of late 1960's Bee Gees arranger/conductor Bill Shepherd.They are simply Bee Gees backing tracks with somebody else singing.There have been conflicting reports about whether The 2 Marbles members were each other's cousins or whether Graham Bonnett is The Bee Gees cousin.On the other Marbles tracks(the ones without Bee Gees/Bill Shepherd involvement),the duo veers towards a Righteous Brothers-type sound,with good renditions of "A House is Not a Home","Storybook Children" & "Stay With Me Baby".I occasionally bump into Barry Gibb here in South Florida,and when I informed him that the "Marbles" album had just been released on CD in Germany,Gibb said(with slight embarrassment/amazement) "Oh Gosh!!".You see,musicians are always thinking about their latest project;they're not nostalgic like the fans are.For Barry Gibb,the 33-year old Marbles tracks were just a long-forgotten part of his distant musical past.They're musically good though,and fans of the late 1960's Bee Gees music will like the 6 singles tracks.I'd say that the two songs on the debut single("Only One Woman" & "By The Light of a Burning Candle") were too strong for the Gibbs to give away,something that they belatedly realized:They recorded their own version of "Only One Woman" in the 1970's(during the sessions for the album "Main Course")....only to unfortunately never release the recording.Maybe it will be heard someday....(Oh,and in an update to the above,despite oft-repeated publicity hype repeated in this CD's liner notes,while The Marbles may be each others cousins,neither Graham Bonnet or Trevor Gordon is related to The Bee Gees)

Average customer rating: An old breath of fresh air.

Marbles King Apparatus Manufacturer: Asian Man ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dance Hall | Reggae | International | Styles | Music General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music General | Reggae | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Reggae | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: King Apparatus Transitions ASIN: B00003G1M4 Release Date: 2000-03-07

Tracks:

1. Marbles
2. Mother Told You
3. Aesthetics
4. Hold Me Down
5. Stumbling
6. Liars
7. Uninvited
8. Grow Up
9. Panic
10. Strong Physical Urge
11. You're Not My Type
12. Michael & Anne
13. Job
14. Stupid
15. Sodom and Toronto
16. Street Corner
17. Dancing Fools (Live)
18. Five Good Reasons (Live)
19. Buy Our Stuff (Live)
20. Made for TV (Live)

Customer Reviews:

An old breath of fresh air........2003-03-04

I heard the song Michael and Anne on an Asian Man records comp and pretty much fell for the sound. I bought the album and thought how much it sucked at first. After about 2 more listens, it all stuck. There's ska, rockabilly, surf, all mixed with with a slight punk. Lead singer CHris Murray is one of the best I've ever heard in a white ska band. Why the hell did they break up just when I started to buy their stuff and make them rich.

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6. Pale Sun, Crescent Moon
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9. Red: 30th Anniversary Editions [Original recording remastered]
10. Rhythm of the Saints

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