FUGAZI

I remember, (I often seem to be saying this at the start of my reviews!) not long after this came out, many Marillion fans slagged this off, thinking it was a big disappointment after the superb debut. My own opinion is, that although this is closer to 'Script' than any subsequent album, it is somewhat weaker. The opener, 'Assassing', is excellent, and promises great things. I was quite surprised at the eastern sounding start to this track, and found it pleasantly different. Likewise, 'Punch And Judy', track number two, is quite good. Fish's vocals move up and down on this one more often than the standard office lift! Then comes 'Jigsaw', which I also like. A more melodic song, though Fish still sounds his usual aggressive, angst-ridden poetical self on it. Nice work from Rothery on this too. So far so good. Unfortunately, most of the remaining tracks are rather weaker. 'Emerald Lies', 'She Chameleon', (which does have a nice keyboard solo in it though, along the lines of Tony Banks - can't be bad!) and the very disappointing closing piece, the title track 'Fugazi', which isn't that bad until the end, which is very weak as it fades out. The remaining track here, 'Incubus' is far better, and has the usual menacing, true Marillion sound. Ian Moseley performs well on his debut. Of course, he was already an established drummer, best known perhaps for being Steve Hackett's touring drummer in the early eighties. (Interesting aside here - how many of you know that, after 'Script' came out, and despite its success, the rumours went round that Rothery was 'not up to scratch,' and was going to be kicked out, with Hackett replacing him? Of course, Mick Pointer knew differently!) All in all, this album has improved to my ears over the years, but is still, for me, the weakest of the Fish era records. It is still better than some of the Hogarth era albums though eg: 'Brave' 'Radiation' 'This Strange Engine'. Worth a listen, and probably worth, if it was allowed, three and a half stars.