Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Marillion
Label: EMI Records
Released: 1991
Duration: 14:59
Rating: 4.5/5
For the second single off what’s now the cult album “Holidays in Eden” (1991), British art rock veterans Marillion picked the power ballad “No One Can”. Like “Cover My Eyes” and “Dry Land”, the other two singles from that record, it had everything it took to become a big radio hit, but it never got there, because the sudden arrival of grunge in the early nineties shuffled the deck hard and left way less room to maneuver for art rock and melodic rock. Even though “Holidays” in Eden” was by far their most commercial album, it didn’t earn the recognition it deserved on the charts of the day. The guys in the band didn’t lose much sleep over it, while the label EMI was, of course, shedding crocodile tears.
Seasoned with an AOR flavor, “No One Can” is one of the most beautiful ballads in Marillion history and probably their softest creation, and in terms of ambient breadth it sits very close to the timeless “Easter”, even though it’s a straight-up love confession, the kind they didn’t do all that often in their colorful career. Mr. H got the inspiration for the lyrics not long after joining the band, when he was hit by homesickness for his wife and daughter. The main charm of this classic lies in its simple, serene melody with a mighty, melodic chorus and extra backing vocal harmonies. As with all their ballads, there isn’t a shred of sappiness to be found on “No One Can”, since the love lyrics are delivered in an intelligent, unobtrusive way. Someone at EMI even said around the release that they’d jump out of a window if this song wasn’t a huge hit. Of course, they were lying.
On the CD, or the B-side of the 12-inch vinyl, the two companion tracks are a live version of the classic “Splintering Heart” and “A Collection”, an interesting and pleasant acoustic ballad. Its lyrics are about a guy with a pretty quirky fetish: he always took photos of his (ex-)girlfriends in the same spot and then added them to an album in sequence. Despite this theme, which you could even call a little perverted, the central melody, tied together by H’s velvety vocals, sounds incredibly gentle and innocent.
“No One Can” is a full-blooded display of artistic finesse, the kind only top-tier bands can conjure up, and ‘Britain’s best-kept musical secret’ definitely belongs in that league. This single, rather hard to come by these days, is one of those that deserve a firm spot in the collection of every loyal Marillion fan.
Lineup
Steve Hogarth – vocals
Steve Rothery – guitar
Mark Kelly – keyboards
Pete Trewavas – bass guitar
Ian Mosley – drums
Production
Christopher Neil, Rob Eaton and Marillion
Track list
1. No One Can
2. A Collection
3. Splintering Heart (Live)
