Afraid of Sunlight
| Afraid of Sunlight | ||||
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| Studio album by Marillion | ||||
| Released | 24 June 1995 | |||
| Recorded | January — March 1995 | |||
| Studio | The Racket Club (Buckinghamshire, England) |
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| Genre | Progressive rock | |||
| Length | 51:25 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Marillion chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Afraid of Sunlight | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Q | |
Afraid of Sunlight is the eighth studio album by the British neo-progressive rock band Marillion, released in 1995. Recorded at The Racket Club in Buckinghamshire between January and March 1995, it was produced by the band themselves and co-produced by Dave Meegan, as was the previous album, Brave (1994).
Despite being one of Marillion's most critically acclaimed albums,Afraid of Sunlight was their first to fail to reach the Top 10 in the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number 16 and falling out of the Top 40 after just two weeks. Disappointing sales led to EMI Records not extending the contract with the band. The label, however, would continue to release back-catalogue material on compilations and reissues, as well as distribute some later recordings.
While not a concept album as such, Afraid of Sunlight repeatedly examines the destructive side of celebrity. In particular, "Gazpacho" lampoons the Hollywood lifestyle and seems to refer to Mike Tyson, "Cannibal Surf Babe" is a Beach Boys pastiche inspired by late-night horror movies. "Out of This World" is dedicated to world land and water speed record holder Donald Campbell, killed in 1967, and inspired diver Bill Smith to look after the wreck. The main wreckage of Campbell's Bluebird K7 hydroplane was recovered from Coniston Water on 8 March 2001. Both Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery were present at the raising. The title track refers to self-destructive thrill-seekers such as James Dean, while "King" is about Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain and Michael Jackson. "Beyond You" is reminiscent of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound productions and was mixed in mono.
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