Script For A Jester's Tear (studio album) by Marillion

From Jboy56 04/03/2024 07:44

Just sweet late prog.

Nice neo-progressive rock, it sounds like Genesis mixed with Rush and I like both of these bands.

A fantastic record that rivals some of the greatest prog music we have ever heard due to its outstanding quality. While the group wears its influences on its sleeve, I think they actually build upon them and better them on this record. The build ups are fantastic and pay offs are always phenomenal and extremely rewarding for the listener. Vocally, it is brilliant and it perfectly matches the prog style they are going for. On top of that you have the rich and detailed lyrics that are begging to be explored and it is so much fun to look further into them. Then there is the instrumentation which is amazing. While they don't use an extremely diverse set of instruments the ones they do use are played brilliantly. The guitar solos we get are so packed full of energy and completely blow me away every time I hear them. Also, I think the keyboards are massively important as they give them an edge and make them unique as they drag prog music into the 80's and they make it work perfectly. Despite this, my one weakness with this album is The Web as I do think it is just too long and could be cut down by at least 4 minutes. Overall, this is an elite album that goes under rated in the prog genre and it deserves a lot more praise than it receives.

As a first album this is nothing short of stunning - it is so passe to compare early Marillion to Genesis. The lyrics from Fish are more akin to poetry than mere song lyrics. Sometimes I wonder how much of their genius are lost on a non-UK audience given the amount of cultural references they contain.

In my opinion there are two Marillion's and they are both quite different yet I like them both in equal measure for different reasons. The early Fish led era was as progressive as early Genesis and this album in particular is a prog masterpiece that seems to slip under the radar of most prog album reviews. The title track and 'Forgotten Sons' are up there with 'Watcher Of The Skies' and 'Suppers Ready'. The album artwork is equally up there with some of the top prog album covers of all time so on this basis, coupled with the musicianship, lyrics and vocals, my score can be nothing other than high!

100/100

Who more agree this is the best marillion album?

In the contrary to most opinions, I feel that Fish era Marillion have their right to be considered apart from Genesis. TBH I enjoy them more. This album, their debut, may not be as even as their follow ups but it has some fantastic guitar and keyboard riffs and Fish's vocals are as smart and bombastic as always. The title track should be considered an all-time rock classic.

The first band I ever saw live (Real to Reel tour) so I have a real soft spot for Fish led Marillion. Excellent and accomplished debut with six strong tracks. Obviously influenced by early Genesis but bettered by Fugazi, IMO, but only just.

Brooding and pulsating, with vivid, heart-pumping imagery.

Great album, amazingly deep and meaningful songs, ambiance created and fish voice is scary good. Genesis would be proud of his little brother :)