Less Is More (Marillion album)

Less Is More is an acoustic studio album by Marillion, released on the band's own label on 2 October 2009. A retail version is distributed by Edel Music. The band's 16th studio album, it contains re-arranged songs from the period that Steve Hogarth has been their singer plus the previously unreleased track, "It's Not Your Fault". Despite some positive reviews, the album did not chart in the UK.

Critical reception

The album received positive reviews from the publications Guitarist and Classic Rock, as well as the website AllMusic. Guitarist rated the album 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as "an intimate musical experience" and "a credit to all concerned."

Track listing

All songs written by Marillion.
Lyrics of "Interior Lulu", "Out of This World", "Hard as Love", "Memory of Water" and "Cannibal Surf Babe" by John Helmer & Steve Hogarth, all other lyrics by Hogarth.
Music of "The Space" by Hogarth, Kelly, Mosley, Rothery, Trewavas, Colin Woore, Ferg Harper and Geoff Dugmore.

Personnel

Steve Hogarth – vocals, percussion, keyboards
Steve Rothery – guitars
Mark Kelly – keyboards, autoharp, glockenspiel, backing vocals
Pete Trewavas – acoustic bass guitar, xylophone, backing vocals, acoustic guitar on "Memory of Water" and "This Is the 21st Century"
Ian Mosley – drums, Moroccan bongos, skulls

Note: "It's Not Your Fault" is a solo performance by Steve Hogarth on piano and vocals. Ian Mosley is also absent from "Memory of Water". As a hidden track, "Cannibal Surf Babe" has no writing or playing credits. Additional players listed in the booklet are:

B. Hartshorn – bass harmonica on "Go!"
Hs Ensemble – strings on "Go!"
S. Audley – bowed glockenspiel on "The Space"
R. Hazlehurst – clockwork effect on "Quartz"
Preston Bisset Singers – choir on "Wrapped Up in Time"

Technical credits:

Michael Hunter – mixing, co-producer
Simon Heyworth – mastering
Simon Ward – artwork, photography, design