The U.K.'s best kept secret is at it again, with what could be their best work to date: "Marillion.com". Without a doubt this is my absolute favorite album of the year -- I don't know how they keep doing it, but Marillion has managed to simultaneously strike new ground and come off sounding like this was just another day's work. Amazingly, the United States is still collectively ignorant of this brilliant band, but like I've said it before, I'll say it again. MARILLION!!! Get it, hear it, love it!

"Marillion.com" begins with a song featuring the band's signature style -- 'anything goes as long as it ain't run-of-the-mill'. Avoiding the A-B-A-B-A formulaic approach, "A Legacy" begins with an ethereal, spooky tinge as Marillion frontman Steve Hogarth breathes "When I leave you, I will leave you things that might not help you, things that might . . . " then kicks into a chorus strangely reminiscent of "I Will Walk on Water"from a previous album. After the chorus everything grinds to a halt as a Beach Boys-esque harmony which quickly ushers in another chorus followed by a shot of Steve Rothery's blistering guitar work of old as the song builds in intensity only to fall away to a lone accoustic guitar which ushers the song to its finish -- this isn't a song, it's a God damned, roller coaster!

"Deserve" is one of three quite radio-friendly tracks on "Marillion.com" Beginning with a David Jackson-like Sax flourish (if you don't know who David Jackson is, don't worry . . . you're among the masses) and kicks into a fun, toe tapping quickie that basically makes the statement that if you're good and you're honest, you'll get what you deserve. This is Marillion having fun.

"Go!" and "Enlightened" are two of the slower songs on the album. As with many of the slower Marillion tracks, these two took a while to sink in. But once I got past the more aggressive tracks, I found myself falling in love with the message contained within these two. There are messages to be gleaned from both of them, including the bit from "Go!" that haunts me constantly: "It only takes a fraction of a second to turn your world upside down." For many reasons that I won't get into here, I hold this and one other lyric from "Marillion.com" very close to my heart.

"Built In Bastard Radar" is, as its name implies, another fun track. The premise of this rock n' roll, made-for-radio track is, every girl has it, every guy knows it, so what the hell are you going to do about it? When it comes down to it, the truth is in reality. Everybody knows a girl who, no matter how hard she or anybody else tries to influence, always ends up with a bastard. She's got it. They've all got built in bastard radar!

For those Marillion fans who love the epic, "Interior Lulu" fits the bill. Fifteen plus minutes long, this song is yet another masterpiece of form and spectral lyrical ability. A Helmer/Hogarth conspiracy, "Interior Lulu" is a masterpiece of sound. It's loud, it's soft. It's fast, it's slow. It's simple and complex. But the lyrics tie it all into a perfect little package:

If you can carry it out, you can take it away.
If you can carry it out, you can take it away.
If you can buy it it can be bought
If you can buy it it can be stolen
If you can break it, it's already broken.
Already broken.

If you can break it, it's already broken . . . This lyric struck me like an anvil blow to the head the first time I heard it. I nearly had to pull to the side of the road and collect myself. Another profundity that sings to me and makes me just shake my head and wonder why in hell this band hasn't conquered the world!

But Marillion.com saves the best for last. Marillion has penned many of my all-time favorite songs, but I think that "House" just may be the most absolutely brilliant song I have ever heard. Steve Hogarth calls it the band's tribute to "Massive Attack" because of its "Massive"-like dub groove. Muted trumpet is an especially unusual touch as this quiet, painfully beautiful song reaches inside you and not only tugs, but pulls your heart right out. If "House" was the only track on the album, I would pay twice the list just to have it. It's sad and depressing, but the lyrical imagery is so real, so . . . intense that I find myself going back over and over again. I didn't think any song would ever move me more than this band's "This Strange Engine" of 1997, but "House" did it. If you haven't already heard it, this song is a must.

So my bet for album of the year is now clear. There have been several good ones and a whole lotta bad, but in the waning months of the year, of the decade, of the century . . . Marillion has pulled it off again. I don't care if you are a fan or have never heard of the band before. You have to go out and buy "Marillion.com" It's my pick for album of the year. But even more, it'll change your life!