SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR

The first and probably the best album by Marillion.They just did not capture that feeling of depression, isolation and heartache after this gem of an album. It may be the masochist in me, but i love albums that make me cry and feel really sad. The whole affair starts off with the title track, which is about a tragic jester who gets finished with by his girlfriend, and ends up miserably playing the Beatles song "Yesterday" in a cob-webbed bedsit. The tragic Genesis type sounds are a joy to behold on this one. "He Knows You Know" is a grim tale of drugs and suicide. The vocals of "Fish" bringing to mind, Peter Gabriel and i think i can hear a touch of Peter Frampton there as well. The whole thing is driven along by a dark but heartfelt sound, as Fish" weaves his lyrical web, which brings us neatly to "The Web" again a heart wrenching song with "Fish" sounding both sad and bitter. Phew this guy can leave you tear drenched with the emotion and passion of his voice. "Garden Party" is an upbeat summery distraction to what has gone before, with its jerky guitar riffing and Mark Kelly's driving keyboards bringing to mind Tony banks, Rick Wakeman and Jon Lord. "Chelsea Monday" gets us back on track to the wrist slitting atmosphere which makes this album so darn sad, but so darned fine. Excellent guitarwork from "Steve Rotherby" gives this track its tragic mood. The subject matter is about a girl who is waiting for a prince in his car. The final track on Disc 1 ( and the ending on the original album ) is the awesome "Forgotten Sons" which is a song about the hopelessness and futility of war. This very much the angry song of the album, with its initial hardness of the instrumentation, which is something not too far removed from what you might find on an "Iron Maiden" album. The song progresses into a heavy military bit, with "Fish" doing a sarcastic version of "The Lords Prayer" If you are new to Marillion and like Genesis, Yes, Pink floyd and "Fish" you will most certainly love this album.

Rating - 10/10