FUGAZI

What's next, after you have shown the world that prog is alive (again) with the fabulous Script For A Jester's Tear? As a good prog band, you choose a correct middle between doing more of the same and adding new elements to the old. The most prominent new element is that of playing a bit more hardrock and a bit less Genesis. Replacement of Mick Pointer for Ian Mosley and the increasing musical experiences of the other band members give way to slightly better playing. On composition level, this record is still a bit more uneven than its predecessor, but (strangely enough?) I also find it to be a bit more enjoyable (what's in words, both records are great anyway).

The album contains several shorter (and partly more experimental) songs. First single Punch And Judy is basically the only real outlier on the album, be it not for its intrinsic qualities (which are still good), but more for the way it doesn't fit with the other tracks. Jigsaw is a nice ballad, with a great solo by Rothery. Emerald Lies builds to a climax in a brilliant way. Experience those drumfills in the bridge and find out Mosley's added value.

The longer tracks are still the best. The opener Assassing is exciting as ever (this track is basically the perfect testament to Marillion's progressing sound) and Fugazi (still played live in Fish' concerts these days) is just the best track Marillion ever did, in my humble opinion. That's worth mentioning on the one hand, but on the other hand, it overlooks a lot of other great songs from Fish-era Marillion as well as Hogarth-era Marillion. When stating that Fugazi is my favourite album of this band, basically the same goes.