SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR - The opening track of a great debut album of six epic tracks. This Rock experiment filled song begins gently and then gives us a whimsical almost Nursery Rhyme style backing before launching into dramatic guitars and pounding drumbeat increasing in intensity and power. Named Neo-Progressive Rock, Marillion's style of music has elements of all genres of Rock music and this track ticks all boxes!
HE KNOWS YOU KNOW - A slow almost Pop Rock track changes after some angry, anguished vocals from lead singer Fish before the 2 and a half minute mark when the glorious anthemic guitar solos and faster drumbeats kick in. The Medieval style vocals and chants are here that make it just a little more awesome.
THE WEB - A slow to mid tempo Rock ballad, with some awesome keyboard and guitar solos. More Electronic Rock than the previous two tracks but no less anthemic. A variety of Fish vocals complement the unsusual array of backing instruments superbly.
GARDEN PARTY - The magnificent second single in all its full glory of 7 minutes plus. A fabulous melody throughout, sometimes portrayed by guitars and drums and then keyboards. The "pom pom pom" pounding drumbeat and guitar on the verses is superb. This is a pure Classic Rock/Progressive Rock. The song that introduced me to Marillion and kept me enthralled until Fish left the band.
CHELSEA MONDAY - A typical Progressive Rock ballad, the slow tempo and atmospheric, dramatic sound backs up Fish's emotive vocals in excellent fashion. A classy piece of Rock and sounds even better in headphones, the sound encompasses you.
FORGOTTEN SONS - The album ends with lots of effects, eerie chants, screams and various dialogue over a similar backing to Garden Party at one point. The track alters its tempo throughout and is a very experimental and strange track. There are Classic Rock elements but its mostly quite weird. Still, it ends a pretty fantastic debut album.
"FUGAZI"
1984
ASSASSING - The band's second studio album opens with their second single from the set. It reached number 22 in the UK chart. A big and brash anthemic track that combines their unique Progressive style with Classic Rock and a pounding drumbeat. A powerful chorus and various vocals in his own inimitable style from Fish. A brilliant track and a big favourite of mine.
PUNCH AND JUDY - The debut single from this album that reached number 29 on the UK chart. This is a more familiar modern Progressive Rock track with its medieval styled backing. Still has a catchy chorus but its not as radio-friendly as the opening track but a classic to Marillion fans.
JIGSAW - A lovely slow ballad kicking into a mini Progressive Rock opera. So many changes in the song and vocals make this a brilliant experimental 6 minute jam. Keeps you captivated to the last.
EMERALD LIES - A mild, sprinkling soft intro until just after two minutes in when it kicks off into eeriness. The dark, weird backing threw me off this track, it had started so nice. Not a favourite.
SHE CHAMELEON - Soft vocals from Fish throughout with screeching guitars giving it a very Gothic Rock vibe.
INCUBUS - A variety of angry and calm vocals front an indulgent and uninspiring slow Progressive Rock backing, and at 8 minutes plus this is far too long to keep my attention.
FUGAZI - A great epic Rock trip to finish the album. With spoken parts, effects and a pounding backing with hints of Progressive, Classic and Gothic Rock. Superb end to the album with a little of everything that was Fish's Marillion.
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