SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR

With my own definition of "progressive rock" being that creative and unusual musical ideas (such as odd time signatures, inspired chord progressions, and variations of sounds/moods) are being used through-out rock oriented compositions, I guess I would have to qualify this as prog, but it's the wrong end of prog for my tastes!

My main problem is that each part drags on for far too long, and not enough is happening during these semi-long songs. It doesn't make it better that few ideas are interesting at all to me. Half the sections are built on steady 4/4 beats with slow predictable chord progressions, with a guitar solo and/or vocals on top. Barely any odd time signatures (only during one part of the title track), barely any surprising chord changes. There are some creative rhythms being used here and there though, but they are far from each other.

It might be true that they were heavily influenced by Genesis, but they left out the more creative and interesting details that in my opinion made Genesis so good, and what's left is mostly slow, repetitive and sappy. Although, if you enjoy poetic lyrics (I personally don't care for lyrics at all) and Fish's dramatic/emotional vocals (which I can barely stand), then I can understand why you'd appreciate it a lot more than I do.

Stand-out tracks: Script For a Jester's Tear and Garden Party