SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR

Marillion's 'Script For A Jesters Tear' is in my opinion the definitive Marillion album. No matter how good the follow-up Marillion records have been, and there have been some crackers over the years, nothing has ever come close to matching the power and creativity shown on the 'Script'. There isn't a single ounce of fat on this album, every note has its place and every vocal is a lesson in perfection. Plenty of room is given throughout the compositions for lengthy instrumental sections, and the band are in complete harmony in every moment.

The album starts with the title track, 'Script For A Jesters Tear', which might be the best song Marillion have ever written. The naked vocals of Fish in the opening few bars can't help but make you think of Genesis's 'Selling England'. I have always wondered if this was an intention of the band, a sort of homage to their favourite band? But soon the rest of the band join in and this song blossoms into such a powerful piece of music and demonstrates just how amazing Fish is as a vocalist, particularly in the closing moments.

The rest of the album is equally compelling. I don't really want to do a track-by-track review of this album as it's not really my style, but I'll say that every song on this record is brilliant, and I never skip a single minute of this disc when I sit down to listen. It is utterly memorizing music I've never once gotten bored with it.

If I ever get stranded on that desert island this album will DEFINITELY be coming with me! Absolutely 5-stars, perfect progressive music for all tastes!