FUGAZI

I'm not your stereo-typical 14-year-old, learning my "street" from over-produced, overrated, rap/pop/punk I find on MTV. I like that I have musical taste and it's albums like Fugazi that just kind of make me laugh at what everyone else my age is missing. I found this album on my last trip to my favorite indie record store before it closed. I'm so glad I picked it up because I haven't seen it anywhere since then. I went home, slipped it onto my turntable, and took a nap. Nice first impressions, eh? But I got over that soon enough.

Lyrically, this album is breathtaking. I can honestly say I have never heard as much passion as Fish spills out into his words and vocals in music for a long time. For those who are into poetry and/or the passionate side of things, this album is a must.

Yet, regardless of Fish's vocals, musically this album is merely decent. Musicianship may not be in tip-top shape, but there are still great intentions here, with haunting keyboard licks of "She Chameleon", and the many twists in "Fugazi" which always seem to "pump me up." Steve Rothery is no obvious David Gilmour, but he gets the job done, and I salute him for it. He makes for a perfect backing to Fish's astonishing vocals.

It took me a while to actually get into this album, but when I did, it blew me away. MARILLION doesn't sound like any other band I have heard, which is something I am proud to say (meaning I do not really see the GENESIS sound in their music). Fugazi is one of my favorites and sits next to Foxtrot and Close to the Edge in my ever-growing record collection. Nameless musicians or not, this album was well assembled. Give it a try.