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Marillion - Script for a Jester's Tear CD (album) cover

SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR

Marillion

 

Neo-Prog

4.25 | 2217 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
5 stars I could hardly have chosen a better album for my four hundredth review on PA (a lot more to come). As I have mentioned in some other reviews, I stopped listening to prog music from 1978 to 1996. I had actually no idea who Marillion was till the year 2001. A colleague of mine leant me "Misplaced Childhood" and here we go...

I purchased the single CD version of "The Script" in 2003 and I couldn't believe my ears. Yes, I have LOVED Genesis (and still do of course) like a maniac in some ancient times and no, I have no problem with a band sounding as Genesis when the level of the songs are of this caliber.

There are not a single weak moment here. All compositions are brilliant. Kelly on the keys is outstanding, both Pointer and Trewavas offer a solid rhythmic section, Rothery's work is subtle and so pleasant.

Then, Fish. He makes my flesh creep (especially on this first officail release). And I'm listening to him while I write. Yes, he sounds as Peter, and yes, he knows, you know. Actually Fish gave a try at almost all the instruments because he wanted to be in a rock band. But he was by no way gifted. Then, some friends told him he should try the vocals since he had some similaritites with Gabriel while he was humming. He was very proud of this. He liked Genesis, and Yes (hence his nickname : Fish; partially because he was a fan of Chris Squire). The other origin of his nickname goes back, apparently, straight to his youth during which he would spent endless times in the water of his bath...

To find a better track than another is very difficult here. The title one maybe with this delicate voice ? Or "Chelsea Monday" with this wonderful guitar and mellotron sound ? Or "Garden Party" with these aerial vocal passages and its strong instrumental ones ? Or "The Web" with this great guitar break ? Or "Forgotten Sons" and this background riff at times sounding like "Watcher" and the incredible final section ...Throughout the album, rather intricate lyrics have also contributed to the filiation with Gabriel.

All this work is so nice and melodious than any Genesis fan couldn't resist I guess. At least I couldn't. Almost thirty years later. "He Knows, You Know" is maybe the least achieved number : but still, it is a good one. The proof of time did not have any negative effect to this fantastic album, like the greatest ones to which it belongs.

What is also remarquable, is that Marillion put a lot of attention in the design of their sleeves (albums, but singles as well). An incredible look really. From their logo to some Fish's costumes.

A year later, in 2004, I was already in my Marillion mania period and I purchased the double CD (24 bit digitally remastered). This is another great habit from the band. They will re-release almost (if not all) of their earlier recordings with a complete bonus CD (not one additional and miserable track or two of little interest like it is mostly the case). No, what you get there is truely another great FIFTY additional minutes of fabulous music.

Alternate versions of their single "Market Square Heroes" as well as for "Chelsea Monday". Another of their single is featured as well in an alternate version : "He Knows You Know", the very nice B-side "Three Boats Down From The Candy" and finally "Grendel".

I just love this number. Of course, at times it sounds as "Supper's Ready". But it is also a sublime track. One of my fave of the band. It is very much the central piece of this double CD set. IMO, it superseeds all the other numbers (even if lots of people do not like it because of its "Supper's Ready"'s cloning.

What else can I say ? If you have not listened yet to this masterpiece of prog music, you only have one thing to do : buy it, lend it, rob it. But do get it !

If you have read my reviews of the last seventeen bands I have commented, you know that I do it vertically. Meaning from start to finish. Almost all the way through. This will be a marvelion travel.

Five stars, of course.

ZowieZiggy | 5/5 |

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