Is B'Sides Themselves a good place to start with Marillion?

Yes, B'Sides Themselves is recommended as a starting point for new Marillion listeners. A sprawling collection that merges intricate melodies with theatrical storytelling, showcasing the band's progressive rock prowess. Released on January 4, 1988, B'Sides Themselves arrived after Marillion's breakthrough album Misplaced Childhood in 1985 and during a phase of growing fame. This compilation captures various non-album tracks and live performances from their early years, reflecting the band's evolution and the depth of their catalog as they navigated mainstream success.

Who is B'Sides Themselves for?

B'Sides Themselves works well if you're into theatrical narratives with peaks, dynamic progression through tracks and lengthy pieces for deep engagement.

How many songs are on B'Sides Themselves?

B'Sides Themselves has 9 tracks, running approximately 59 minutes.

B'Sides Themselves

Marillion · 1988

59 min · 9 tracks · progressive rock

A sprawling collection that merges intricate melodies with theatrical storytelling, showcasing the band's progressive rock prowess.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Grendel Start here — This expansive track showcases the band's ability to blend complex musical structures with narrative depth, serving as a hallmark of their artistic identity.
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Market Square Heroes — As one of their early singles, this track encapsulates Marillion's signature sound while addressing themes of youth and aspiration, resonating deeply with fans.
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Freaks — Freaks highlights the band’s lyrical storytelling and rich instrumental arrangements, representing their ability to convey emotional depth through progressive rock.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Marillion's progressive rock style through varied compositions and live energy, though it lacks the cohesion of a studio album.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate live recordings, blending studio polish with the raw energy of performance, particularly evident in 'Margaret (live)'.
The sequencing alternates between longer, more intricate pieces and shorter songs, creating a dynamic flow that maintains listener engagement.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

theatrical narratives with peaks
dynamic progression through tracks
lengthy pieces for deep engagement
immersive storytelling in sound

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone songs
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A collection of non-album tracks that showcases the band's creativity without being a primary entry point.
Themes: youth culture commentary· theatrical narratives· post-breakthrough experimentation
Career context: Released on January 4, 1988, B'Sides Themselves arrived after Marillion's breakthrough album Misplaced Childhood in 1985 and during a phase of growing fame. This compilation captures various non-album tracks and live performances from their early years, reflecting the band's evolution and the depth of their catalog as they navigated mainstream success.
Stylistic neighbors: Genesis· Yes· Porcupine Tree