SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR

In 1983, musical world seems to be in a dead-end. While the big Zeppelin did crash after Bonham's dead, Pink Floyd was releasing the 1st Roger Waters solo album Final Cut. Genesis and Yes were going nowhere with the Genesis album (aka Shapes) and 90125.

Then radio station CHOM-FM started to play a song called He Knows You Know on a regular basis. It is that year I discovered Marillion. Script For A Jester's Tear still remains a masterpiece today and the best album produced by the band. Despite the poor drumming from Mick Pointer, this album has everything a prog lover can ask for, including the wonderful illustration from Mark Wilkinson.

Album starts with what is probably the most emotional song Marillion did write. Script is that good. I love this song. Everything seems perfect in this 8+ minute song. From the a cappella "So Here I Am Once More" to the final "Can You Still Say You Love Me", the song is a roller-coaster between great guitar solos and more quiet sections.

He Knows You Know and Garden Party are the most straight-forward songs and are very good. The Web and Chelsea Monday are both real gems with again great guitar parts by Rothery.

Then, the grand finale of the album, Forgotten Sons. Starting with sounds coming from many radio channels, including snippet of Market Square Heroes, the song hits us right from the beginning. Each and every musician has his shining moments. Even the drum is sounding good, thanks to the military march beat. The final section, sung by Fish, starting with "You're just another coffin" is just to give goose bumps.

With this first album, Marillion did help the progressive music to stay alive. I did listen to those songs thousand of times since 35 years, and they are as good as they were back in 1983. Masterpiece, I give 5 stars.