FUGAZI

Marillion´s second LP was not among my favorites for a long time. The reason was quite simple and it seemed that most reviewers here missed it: the flat, muddy production of the original record. I liked most of the songs but they sounded much better in their live renditions included on Real to Reel and La Gazza Ladra. Also the mood here is quite differente from their brilliant debut: it´s a lot darker and less accessible.

But a friend told me if I get the remastered version they released in 1998 I´d change my mind. I was quite doubtful at first, but he was right. The new version is so much improved it looks like they almost re-recorded all the tracks! Now you can hear all the subtleties and great playing you should expect from a band of that caliber. I put the record on again and again and it sounded to me like I had never heard the original studio in my life (in a way, it was). The bass and keyboards are much clearer now. What a good, caring, respectful, remastering can do!!! Kudos for whoever did this miracle!

For the songs themselves, all I have to say is that I still think that She Chameleon and Emerald Lies are not Marillion´s best but the remaining tracks are nothing less than classics. The band had evolved a lot since their debut and showing they had a strong personality. Marillion was far from being just another Genesis clone as they were labelled at the time. And besides, Genesis at the time was heading towards a much lighter, popier direction. It was good to have another fine band proving prog was far from dead and had a lot to offer still. Fish was (and is) one of the best singers/poets to emerge from the 80´s.

Their sound improved a lot with the addition of ace studio drummer Ian Mosley (who also played for a brief period with dutch proggers Trace in the 70´s) as a permanent member. It was interesting that at the time no one believed he was going to stay too long with the band (I thought he was hired just for those sessions). But, incredibly, he remains in the group till this day! He ended a long period for the band to try to find the right person to replace the sacked Mick Pointer. The classic line up was born on this LP, even though few, if any, people knew it then.

Of the bonus disc that comes with the package: I loved the 12" single version of Cinderella Search (the one included on the B´Sides Themselves compilation has the climatic last part indecently butchered), while the alternative mix of Assassin is interesting and the 1984´s re-recording of Three Boats Down From The Candy did some improvement over the original single. The remaining tracks (all demo versions) are a treat only for the hardcore fans.

Conclusion: even if not as good as the first album, Fugazi is proof that Marillion was indeed a special, one-of-a-kind, band from the very start. The remastering edition does justice to the songs power and it is certainly is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. 4,5 stars.