Some things stick in my mind.
The NME's review of the debut Marion album for example.
I don't remember the whole thing obviously. And while I can't remember it word for word, the final line always stuck in my mind. It read something along the lines of, this album won't mean much to a lot of people but to a few it will mean everything. I'm not aware of how well it sold but speaking as one of the few, I can say that line was spot on. It's title, 'This World And Body', seemed to sum up what it meant to those core fans.
Marion were a five piece from Macclesfield who made epic and grandiose songs soaked through with passion. Their songs were capable of hard edged moments that stood them head and shoulders above the Britpop companions they found themselves lumped in with. Chart success sadly eluded them and rumour has it that singer Jaime Harding's drug use and addiction spiralled and eventually led to the band's implosion. They released a second album but by that point, the rot had well and truly set in. The passion and charm were one. Seemingly elusive. While the knack for a great tune slipped away and deserted them. They had the potential to be a truly great band but their promise hinted at in that debut sadly never materialised into anything longterm. They remain a band close to my heart and I'm sure to those who fell for them but will, it is sad to say, surely remain forgotten by most.
They reformed earlier this year but only with two original members and according to their website are working on new material. Whether this will appear and whether it will be able to recapture any of the original magic remains to be seen. But in the meantime, cast your ears over this. Having seen Marion three times in one year, I can honestly say they were one of the most thrilling live acts of their day. Something this short set hopefully portrays.
Marion - fallen through (live in Bristol 1995)
Marion - stop dancing (live in Bristol 1995)
Marion - toys for boys (live in Bristol 1995)
Marion - sleep (live in Bristol 1995)
Marion - the only way (live in Bristol 1995)
Marion - my children (live in Bristol 1995)
mp3 / music / marion
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Too much spandex on your brain
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9 comments:
nice! never got to see them the first time round. didn't know about the drug addiction either - i guess nme kept that sort of thing quiet back then.
The guitarist from Marion now has a new band in Manchster called Ryna. They're not bad either.
Excellent stuff!
To read said NME review, pop across to http://www.themarionarchives.co.uk/articles.html.
Bunch of other information from back in the day on there, plus a forum about old+new stuff.
details of the current line-up on marionuk.co.uk.
shameless promotion over...
Think there was an interview with NME in 1998 when jaime talked about his problems, and when there was a lot of fallout from the post-britpop era. the 'Hand in Glove' tribute that was 'Sleep' was a great song, but 'toys For boys' was the best one for me. Rather like Gene, whose Olympian album might be the lost classic from the era, a band who could and should have gone onto better things.
Ah well.
Was priveliged enough to see Marion support Radiohead at Northampton Roadmender in 1995 - They outplayed Radiohead on the night which tells you everything about their live act - Haven't seen or heard a band like them since.
I am from northampton originally, and was a big marion fan also. I love botht their albums. Great pop music.
for some reason it wont let me extract the files. grr.
I have just been listening to this album recently and forgot how great it is. Pure proper Indie rock. Shows many of the bands out today how it should be done!!!!
First album was really good but the second one is a million times better, and one of the best albums of the 90´s. Songs like "powder room plan", "strangers", "comeback" or "sparks" are simply amazing.
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