Fading Image. Marathon

Anyone who has listened to the recent singles of Amsterdam alternative rock/postpunk band Marathon could have known a few things before Fading Image was released. This album is going to be varied, Marathon does a Tramhaus or two, but above all that Fading Image would most likely be a well above average album.

So, little surprises than? No and yes. No, because all assumptions came true and no because the album is even better than I expected on the basis of the singles.

Marathon is Kay Koopmans (voice/guitar), Lennart van Hulst (drums) and Nina Lijzenga (bass). The three play together since high school and after a slew of singles, an EP, more singles and now an album are ready to take on the world. In my opinion Fading Image is this good. There's no reason why Marathon can't go into the footsteps of Tramhaus and go out into the wide world and play, play, play.

Fading Image is an album that thrives in darkness. As such it fits in a time in which everything seems to have become uncertain. The source of this music can be found in the early 1980, when a lot of people thought the end was nigh; not me though. I don't know if people now think it is, but certain leaders most certainly make us want to think it so. Authoritarians thrive on fear, people. Always keep that in mind when listening to that type of politician. Their words have nothing to do with your wellbeing, only their own. The song 'Fail' can stand as an example of proof. It is the only song on Fading Image that has little to do with my wellbeing.

After this short detour, Marathon's musical core can be found circa 1981. Only the starting point though. From there the band does several extras, by playing with different influences. Slower new wave like the The Cure influenced song 'Shadow Raised A Star'. A lot of reverb and delay on the guitar notes, makes for a nice mood change on the album. By growing ever bigger and bigger, 'Shadow Raised A Star' becomes a song of epic proportions.

The Cult, Killing Joke, all bands that Marathon's members will have found in their parents' or uncles' record collections. Tramhaus was already mentioned. Which is o.k. as Marathon aspires to reach these heights as well. Marathon has the same kind of energy in abundance and is able to surprise in the same way during songs. Changing moods while playing knows no secrets for Marathon.

A special mention goes out to the artwork. By now there's an interesting collection that one day may make it to a museum. Again it is an interesting painting shown hear. It is made by Bob Mollema. My tip of the hat is called for.

Back to the music. Another highlight is the faster song 'Disorder'. The tempo goes up and because of it the mood on the album is somewhat lifted. All is relative here, but 'Disorder' is what the album needs at this point. Something 'Away From Home' continues in all the right ways. A great ending to the album.

It starts again with 'Out Of Depth'. It's that kind of album, the kind to play again immediately. Marathon with Fading Image has delivered on the promise made in the past few years. Now go out and conquer the world. This album fits in with a lot I've been hearing this decade so far and then there's the quality on offer. Dutch bands simply are getting better and better. No doubt about it and Marathon is a proof of point.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght