SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR

From the very start this album is conjuring up the great days of Genesis' 'Selling England by the Pound'. This used to impress me more when I was 16 then it does now. It's a bit uneven in song quality and the vocals sound strained at times.

But the timing of the album, the exceptionally beautiful artwork and the standout tracks like 'Chelsea Monday' and 'the Web' still make this a classic album. If you add the bonus disc with Grendel, Market Square Heroes and Three Boats Down From the Candy you have a top-package of early Marillion music.

Marillion would only get better on subsequent efforts where they reached an better mix of their love for vintage prog with the pop sensibilities of the 80's. An essential title nevertheless.