SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR

Marillion started out as a Genesis clone band, but by the time they have recorded "Script For A Jesters Tear" the differences were becoming as obvious as the similarities. Whatever category you want to put the album in, it is one awesome, bold, inspired album, beginning to end. At the time when the synth pop bands dominated the music scene, it took real courage to come out with music which was in many ways anachronistic, yet at the same time in touch with the times. The often dark and disquieting images of "Script" stand out as different from the fairy atmospherics of many of the prog bands that inspired Marillion. Instrumentally too, there are some links with the innovative 80's sounds that could be heard on the radio around that time, particularly in the keyboard and guitar department. All songs on the album are well crafted and executed with force and conviction, leaving no doubt that Marillion is a band to be respected, whatever their musical style. The predominance of Genesis-style prog rock is evident in "He Knows You Know" and "Garden Party", although injected with venom not usually found in Genesis songs. The rest of the album is darkly atmosferic, romantic and poetic, as exemplified by "Chelsea Mondays", "She Chameleon". However the images and words are related to current times. It's hard to believe that this album is already more than 20 years old, a true rock classic whose release I was privileged to wintess in 1983. I prefer to categorize it (if it must be categorized) as an art-rock album, however, the tight interplay between Moog runs and guitar solos, powerful drumming, amazingly rich harmony, great vocals would definitely fit better in the progressive genre, more than merely neo-progressive. If you do not have it - do not hesitate to pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed.