Marion first entered the music scene when talent was at an all time low, competing with mediocre formula media darlings such as 'menswear' and 'shampoo'. It could be argued therefore that they deserved better exposure, because due to their style, charisma and obvious talent, they should have gone much further than they did. However they basked in the warm glow of their sickly sweet pop counterparts, focusing more on their bowie vinyl, velvet attire and vibrato than press and record sales.'This World and Body' opens like a mist of heavily sickly perfume, sweet and sharp with the aroma of bowie glam and raw rocking riffs, but rich and sumptious and melodic enough to fill your nostrils with the heady scent of the ubiqutous 'broken heart' song. But in the same way that bands like Nirvana and Sonic Youth stuck two fingers up at mainstream and commericalism, Marion have written this poetic masterpiece with enough heart wrenching angst to power a small metropolis.
Vocalist, Jamie Harding, sounds like Bowie in his 'Low' days, a warm and and well rounded voice that makes the mood and expression of his lyrics glow like a soft burning candle. 'Your Body Lies' forms like a Botticelli, curvey, soft, dreamy and beautiful. 'Toys For The Boys' rocks out like an ealry day Suede song, raw but delicate. 'My Children' is reminiscent of early Puressence, loads of tangy guitar but vocally sweet and pretty. 'Vanessa' conjures the feelings of depression and confusion - that which only results from a torn and tempestuous relationship.
'This World and Body' is a must have for any collection, if not solely for the sheer genius but the Bowie glam and punch that, on that merit alone, instantaneously deserves a place.
A forgotten gem from the 90's!
More melodic sicophantism and glam rock than ever!