3. Marillion - "An Hour Before It's Dark"

Marillion have matured remarkably well. Considered by many as a one-hit wonder responsible in the 80s for thousands of babies being christened Kayleigh, they are actually an incredibly politically-literate act with still so much to say. This is album number 19 and the highest-charting affair since 1987’s “Clutching At Straws”. It is very much a case of, if you stand still long enough everything goes round the circle and you come back into fashion. 

Marillion have remained resiliently Marillion. They invented crowdfunding twenty-one years ago (true) and since then, the fact that they ask their fans to pay for the album before they go into the studio, means that they have been able to resolutely remove themselves from having to follow or conform to any fads or fashions. They make music for themselves and for their dedicated following and it just so happens that this has once again connected with the wider mainstream.

“An Hour Before It's Dark” is a sprawling masterpiece. It is not as angry or riddled with indignation as their previous album, but it still manages to cast a quizzical eye over modern life. Its themes of loss, redemption, and community intertwine across the album, with musical and lyrical refrains repeating on numerous occasions. It’s a wonderfully clever but also honest album. It never overdoes the orchestration and instead, it is fragile and haunting and also sparing and slight. There is still the majestic opulence that is prog’s hallmark, but it is never overbearing. 

“An Hour Before It's Dark” is very much an example of an album being more than the sum of its constituent parts. The songs are great but when glued together they create a stirring, emotive and cohesive whole that holds the listener from beginning to end. This is the sound of a band incredibly secure in their being, but still heavily invested in expanding their sound and style. Just plain wonderful.