Band:	Marillion
Album:	Misplaced Childhood
Style:	Progressive rock
Release date:	June 1985
Guest review by:	nicaZe

Disc I
01. Pseudo Silk Kimono
02. Kayleigh
03. Lavender
04. Bitter Suite
05. Heart Of Lothian
06. Waterhole (Expresso Bongo)
07. Lords Of The Backstage
08. Blind Curve
09. Childhoods End?
10. White Feather

Disc II [1998 remaster bonus]
01. Lady Nina
02. Freaks
03. Kayleigh [alternate mix]
04. Lavender Blue
05. Heart Of Lothian [extended mix]
06. Pseudo Silk Kimono [demo]
07. Kayleigh [demo]
08. Lavender [demo]
09. Bitter Suite [demo]
10. Lords Of The Backstage [demo]
11. Blue Angel [demo]
12. Misplaced Rendezvous [demo]
13. Heart Of Lothian [demo]
14. Waterhole (Expresso Bongo) [demo]
15. Passing Strangers [demo]
16. Childhoods End? [demo]
17. White Feather [demo]

Misplaced Childhood was released in 1985 as Marillion's 3rd studio album following their debut Script For A Jester's Tear and Fugazi. Fugazi is considered by many to be their strongest, more diverse release with songs rather than fragments but Misplaced Childhood carries a certain strength and originality I am really attracted to.

I discovered Marillion a few years ago when I realized that I had an obsession with progressive rock. The term is loosely applied to any band with concept albums, superb technical ability, longer compositions, ambitious lyrical content, and influences outside of traditional rock roots. 41 minutes is all I need for sanctuary as Marillion takes me by the hand, leading me into a world of dancing melodies where all my heartache disappears.

The album is a concept album in a much more conventional sense than anything else they have released before or since. It tells the story of a man who goes through a broken relationship, the death of a close friend and into depression until he rediscovers his inner child. It doesn't sound too promising, but by this time Fish was becoming a master of his lyrical craft and the musical backing helps to emphasise the mood. It is one continuous piece of music. Tracks change in time with the rhythm, if that makes sense, so as one song ends, you are thrown into the next one on the next beat. While a couple of tracks work best in the context of the album, most of the tracks make good stand alone tunes. "Kayleigh" was actually a hit single in England, in fact, while the name Kayleigh went on to be really popular in Britain thanks to this song. Linking the record's beautiful painted cover with the music, it creates a colourful journey through melodic guitar riffs and solos, and a deep and saga-like keyboard sound and Fish's catchy and beautiful singing. With its mix of symphonic rock and progressive rhythms it inspired bands like Dream Theater and also became one of Mike Portnoy's favourite albums of all time. But while many modern day progressive groups have more of an edge and aggressiveness to their sound, Misplaced Childhood, and Marillion as a whole during this era, was more melodic and clear sounded with a relaxing tone.

In summary a real classic, a beautifully written, sung and played story from beginning to end that has power, passion, emotion and sublime playing in abundance. With Fish's lyrics from the heart approach combined with the band's incredible sense of musical accompaniment Marillion have produced a classic that to this day has new listeners.