SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR

This was my first Marillion purchase in the late 1990's and was based on discussions that occurred in the Paperlate Genesis mailing list. I had all the early Genesis, Yes , ELP etc from the 70's but was out of the music scene during the period of my marriage (1982) until my divorce (1999). You can imagine my excitement in hearing this CD when I was hungry for more Prog.

Script is a masterful recording and is easy to see why it so highly rated in the Progarchives (50% of reviewers give this 5 stars). It has all the things that a Prog listener would want: extended length tracks (4 of the 6 tracks clock in at over 8 minutes), lots of time and mood changes throughout each of the songs, instrumental passages with guitar and keyboard solos (but never self-indulgent), lyrics that convey a message rather than just hooks, interesting bass and drum lines. Yes this has 5 stars all over it. Every track is equally as good.

The only problem is that it is a masterful reproduction of the early Genesis sound but with social commentary lyrics rather than historical flavours.

At the time of this release it would have been great to hear some good ol' 70's style Prog given that Yes and Genesis had moved into a different (some would say more commercial) sound. And Script is just as enjoyable in the 2010's. Marillion's best work is still in front of them when they will discover a more original style but the foundations have been set.

An essential piece of progressive rock music that belongs in every collection but falling short on originality and therefore 4 stars.