Misplaced Childhood =S

Im just wondering what everyone see's is amazing about this album, i know its just "prefrance" but i just want to know what you like about it , since when i listen to it i always thought it was the weeker of the 4 albums but i like a few songs from it, but the others i like pritty much every song on there albums.. (mabye not so much cluching at straws,but still great album)?

I love it - but it hasn't always been that way

I heard side 1 (ish) the first time I saw Marillion live in 1984. After Script and Fugazi, I was a bit disappointed except for the last bit they played which turned out to be Heart of Lothian - that rocked
When the album came out I didn't think it was as good as the first 2 but that was coming from my rose-tinted Gabriel-era Genesis point of view. Over the years I have learnt to appreciate all it's subtleties and themes, and it's now my favourite early Fish-era Marillion album, especially side 2 which is just awesome. The finishing trio of Blind Curve, Chilhoods End and White Feather takes some beating on any album IMO
Not necessarily my favourite tracks, but my favourite album.
Like a good wine (and me, honest) it has matured well.

Return to Childhood is one of my absolutely most listened to albums - I think Fish (& band) performs this better than ever - the emotion is all there. Can't wait to see at Lemmers - assuming at least part of it will be played

I can see what you are saying (Y) thanx for your opinon

Return to Childhood is one of my absolutely most listened to albums - I think Fish (& band) performs this better than ever - the emotion is all there.

Totaly agree with you on that Rich. I wonder if there is an element of Fish himself almost "returning to childhood"? OK, not childhood exactly, but to play an album in its entirity for the first time in 20 years must stir up some of the feelings and emotions from the time of recording, but the experiences of the intervening 20 years places those feelings in some other contixt I would imagine.... OK, I'm waffling now!

For me personally, when MC came out I was totally unimpressed. I thought that the band had "sold out" in the quest for popularity (in that self-obsessed possessive way that teenage boys react when a band that they have liked since the beginning "suddenly" become popular!! I did the same with the Red Hot Chili Peppers BTW!). Also, my younger brother really got into Marillion about this time, and he LOVED MC - which of course, was another reason for me to hate it. I thought the two massive tracks from the album (Kayleigh and Lavender of course) were tacky, naff and saccharin-sweet commercial garbage; and some of the other tracks were just boring....

Are you getting the message here? I didn't care for this album much back in the 80s, and indeed well into the 90s. In fact, it is only quite recently that I have "rediscovered" it and grown to love it. I still prefer CaS mind, but for me MC comes a good second out of the four Fish-era Marillion albums. For today, at any rate!

In fact, I think I'll go and listen to it now!!

Oh, and another thing!!

I think one of the reasons that RtC works better for me is the lower keys that the songs are played in. They add a certain extra depth and "darkness" that I feel was lacking in the original recording...

Just my opinion!

Return to Childhood is one of my absolutely most listened to albums - I think Fish (& band) performs this better than ever - the emotion is all there.

Totaly agree with you on that Rich. I wonder if there is an element of Fish himself almost "returning to childhood"? OK, not childhood exactly, but to play an album in its entirity for the first time in 20 years must stir up some of the feelings and emotions from the time of recording, but the experiences of the intervening 20 years places those feelings in some other contixt I would imagine.... OK, I'm waffling now!

I think some of the lyrics become more poignant as you get a little older - Childhoods End hits the mark for me

Last edited by Rich1 on Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

so its more of a album that grows on you than one you like instantly, like i should try listening to it again sometime?... well i'll try it again, i think one of the reasons i didnt like it much because i had great expectations.... if you know what i mean?

I know exactly what you mean!

That Charles Dickens has a lot to answer for!

Lol XD Nice Refreance
Sorry been away xD

One of the things that I love about MC is that it really does 'take you somewhere'. By the time you reach White Feather you're in a totally different place from where you started. There are tracks from other 'regular' Marillion / Fish albums that I could take or leave but if I'm listening to MC it's got to be all the way through (sometimes twice!). I totally agree with Rich that it's improved with age, I also think it's better live (I always favoured the Magpie live rendition to the original) and that RtC is the definitive version for me (love the BVs!). I'm always interested in how songs are written (muscially and lyrically) and I think that MC has a kind of 'organic feel' to it that fits what Fish and the Marillos have said about the process and experience of putting it together. I'm always a bit reluctant to claim that a record is a 'part of my life' or 'a soundtrack to it' but this one certainly is. I can't believe I'm missing the convention! Too many bloomin' weddings to do!

Ed