Search - Marillion :: Fugazi (Bonus CD) (Spec)

A melancholy masterpiece, unique in the band's catalog

Old-time Marillion Fan | Monterey Park, CA United States | 08/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was surprised to see only 3 previous customer reviews for this album. I first discovered Marillion when I found the vinyl LP "Script for a Jester's Tear" at my local used record shop, back in my teen years. I'd never heard of them but the album art and themes just grabbed my attention, and needless to say that record is a classic. I think Fugazi must have already been out because I found it shortly thereafter in the same record shop. I was already a fan when "Misplaced Childhood" was released and I was fortunate enough to see the band twice on the U.S. tour for that monumental album. And I saw them again for "Clutching at Straws". I do prefer the Fish era, but I liked some of Steve Hogarth's work with the band too, it just changed a bit too much for my tastes and it departed from what had drawn me to Marillion in the first place. "Fugazi" in many ways is an ending...it has such moody, downbeat material that the next record couldn't possibly have been any darker, and then they delivered the magnificent "Misplaced Childhood". The first two albums mark Phase 1 and the latter two mark Phase 2 of the Fish era. I think "Fugazi" is generally the least-heralded of the Fish-era Marillion albums and this is a shame, because it's fantastic. If you have any interest in Marillion and you are not familiar with this album, check it out. You won't regret it."

Where are the Prophets?

Eric E. Weinraub | Issaquah, Washington United States | 10/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The mid '80s were an interesting time for pop music. Some bands let keyboards drive them (Eurythmics) and some bands let their guitars do the talking (Big Country). During this same period, prog rock experienced something of a revival. And Gabriel era Genesis inspired Marillion led the way. With musicians par excellence (Steve Rothery - guitar, Pete Treavus - bass, Ian Mosely - drums, and Fish - vocals) they really took off, at least in England. In america, the best they could muster was an opening slot for Rush on the Power windows tour.



Fugazi is the middle album of a trilogy and represents the first record by the classic lineup with Mosely having replaced Mick Pointer on drums. An album of politics, blaring guitars, and heavy keyboard interludes, this album grabs you by the shirt. Where Script was uneven and Childhood bombastic, this album was much more succinct. That said, Script and Childhood are also musts, but this one is my favorite....The song Incubus is CLASSIC"

Marillion - A Slight Let Down From The Debut Album With Fish

Steven Sly | Kalamazoo, MI United States | 09/16/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am not exactly sure what it is about this album, but for me it was a bit of a letdown after the band's stunning debut "Script For A Jesters Tear". "Fugazi" remains my least favorite album of the Fish years. Fish was (and still is) known for his incredibly complex yet poetic lyrics. On this album he seems to get a bit over the top and really go a bit too far at times. All that being said this is still a good album and well worth owning if you are a fan of the band. It is probably Marillion's heaviest album from a musical perspective with much of it hard driving and aggressive. The subject matter is mainly about relationships with Fish at his most cynical. Fish was obviously coming off of a failed relationship and some of the songs here "Punch And Judy", "Emerald Lies", "She Chameleon" and "Incubus" get downright nasty in spots. Women beware Fish was obviously in a bad mood when he wrote most of this stuff. The opening track "Assasing" and the closing track "Fugazi" find the band in rocking form, but neither song rank up with Marillion's best in my opinion. As mentioned earlier "Fugazi" is my least favorite of the Fish year, but there is still much to like here and I rate it a solid 4 star."