FUGAZI

After the brilliant musical circus that was "Script for a Jester's Tear" could or would the second album by this band match up? Would the change of drum stool practitioner impact the music in any way?

The first two tracks "Assassing" and "Punch and Judy" are more upbeat than were the tracks on "Script" and although I enjoy the tracks they don't have the same impact on me as do the tracks from the previous album. I don't dislike them at all though.

"Jigsaw" slows the pace down and the emotive brilliance that I found the first album packed with is back. Rothery is stunning on this track with his lead guitar magic.

"Emerald Lies" showcases Fish's vocal magic packed with varied nuances and emotion. More Marillion magic. This guy is amazing as is Rothery on lead complimenting the various emotions that run through the track.

"She Chameleon" - A very melancholy track about groupies and the ability to change faces that continues the magic.

"Incubus" - Sometimes incliment weather can catch up with you without you noticing and sunshine can change to rain suddenly - thus are the changing moods through this track. Marillion Magic. "You can't brush me under the carpet, you can't hide me under the stairs" - from that moment on if this album was vectoring towards a 4 star rating from me it becomes a solid 5.

"Fugazi" - Another giant of a track. Means either Fake or is slang for ummmmmmmmm - messed up more strongly phrased. Again - this track puts this album into solid 5 star territory where without it and the previous track a 4 would have sufficed.

Very nice follow up to "Script" from an amazing band - Pulled down only, to my view, by the first two tracks which although are not weak aren't amazing by the standard of what I'd come to expect from Marillion. Five stars it is - also due to the fact that in a weakening prog music world of the time this stood up to be counted in no uncertain terms. Mosley strengthens the drum, rythm side of the music although I didn't find his predecessor weak at all for his contribution to "Script".