Brave

I have since changed that opinion. Like many of the other reviewers here, I was not impressed with this album upon first listen because there isn't that big bang song which instantly catches your attention. So if you are doing anything else except listening to this album, you will pass right over most of these songs. You need to be firmly seated with all attention on this album to fully appreciate it. However, attentive listening is rewarded with a rich tapestry of song and story. It tells the story of the complete neurosis of modern living (Living the Big Lie) and how we are just supposed, "to get used to it." This starts the tale of an abused runaway (Runaway), who is dragged back to her abusers as she it told to just "get used to it." This is not a happy album and it is not particularly musical in places, but that is the best part of this album. To me, it seems as though it was not written as music, it was written to tell a story which just happens to be told through song rather than paint, film, or some other media. Everything about this album, the raging guitar, the slow piano, the near a cappella passages, was done to tell the story and what a story it has to tell - this, more than anything, is why this is a 5 star album.

It's been said before but it bears repeating again- this album takes time but it's worth the effort. At first I could only get thru the first half and then I fell asleep or lost interest. Months and months went by before I decided to give it another try since I appreciate the band so much. A few more spins and WOW!! It all came together- the drama, the fury, the mystery and the pure awesomness of it all. It's a ride. You dont just listen to this album, you experience it, and I think that's what takes getting used to. This album gets inside my blood, I see now it is a VERY special album. And that it is all built around an obscure news story just adds to the mystique. Just don't love Brave's last track...I put it second only to Misplaced, the original emotional roller coaster.

Once again I am drawn towards an album that is called a commercial flop, I wonder if there is anyone who can just listen to an album and think of it in terms of music only....I get the make money thing but this is a GREAT ALBUM!!!!

Marillion never has a bad album, only some better than others. Like Marbles, this is exceptionally good!

Not their best, but has some musical highlight moments typical of Marillion. Recommended

I really like this CD, have been a fan of Marillion for a long time. But EMI did a poor job on quality control when it came to the liner notes. The covers (front and back, and inside front and back) are correct, but the inside pages containing the lyrics or not for Brave, they are for Holidays in Eden. I thought this was a fluke.. but got a second one and it had the same problem. Not sure ow wide spread this problem is, I have been unable to get an answer. So if not having the proper liner notes is not a problem get this one..if not having the proper liner notes is a problem beware when ordering. But get this if you are a Marillion fan.

My introduction to progressive music were bands like Yes, Genesis, and Rush. Somewhere in college in the early 1990's, I discovered Marillion. My first CD was Script - and I was enthralled. A couple days later, I was back at Record Service (Champaign IL - I think it is long gone now), and the only other CD they had was Brave, which apparently had recently come out. This was back in the day - no pre-listening. I really didn't know what to think - but I was sold on Script for a Jester's Tear - so I went in on this on first sight. Since, I've picked up just about every Marillion album. I like both eras (Hogarth and Fish).But back to Brave ... I have probably listened to this CD 200 times in it's entirety over these many years. The layering of the music always seems to draw me in, and every time I swear I hear some new nuance. The musical journey is long, epic, and has to be heard complete as many others have said. It's not per see a single track or even passage - there isn't to me one iconic moment or track like you'd get on say Fragile or Going for the One (Yes). Instead, it is a complete composition piece. And that more than anything is what draws me in. A complete range of emotions is had listening to this album - and I always find myself picturing our "Brave" girl standing on the bridge, and taking the journey she takes with her from there on. Audiophiles talk about imaging of the sound stage when listening to a stereo. Well, this album actually paints a picture. To me, the music is great, but when a band can take musical style I enjoy, and then pull me in to a story and musical journey so completely, that pushes an album into another echelon of "great." A+++

Marillions Brave was one of the first cds I brought and at first i didn't know what to think about it I had long since given up on the the idea of rock and roll having any meaningful impact on my life that was soon to change brave moved me so much i could not believe that a band would have been brave enough to write a album about thrown away children brave is one of those albums that you have to make time to listen to and it gets deeper with each listen in other words this is music for adults on this album marillion is at there best Steve H s voice is very moving he makes you believe in the story the band is telling you all an all this album is a dark masterpiece

Is there a Marillion fan out there who doesn't love this album? I love it from the fact that it is a concept album, something Marillion do best and I wish they did more of. Even the non melodic moments are amazing and it just washes over you in a goosebump type way, particularly with Steve Rothery's fantastic guitar playing on "Living with the Big Lie" and their finest moment, "Runaway". It's so good that I don't listen to tracks on repeat as it would just interfere with the overall experience. Love this album so much - apart from the last track, "Made Again". Only duff track!

Simply one of the finest albums ever recorded. I had to buy this copy as I wore my other one out :-)I was privileged to see it performed live, in its entirety, during the Brave Tour. It blew me away.

I Love Fish but there is indeed life without him and this CD proves it beyond compare, utterly sublime music this from the lads. All musicians are at the top of their game on Brave and that is a heady height indeed. Give this one multiple tries you wont be disappointed.

Great album. And a two disc remastered version for under a tenner? Awesome

One of their best