Fugazi by Marillion
Here I present the box set of the album “Fugazi” by the band Marillion. In addition to the actual album on the first LP, there are three more LPs with live recordings from Montreal. All LPs have been remixed and remastered. The quality of the reproduction is very high and significantly better than the first version in 1984. The box is made of sturdy cardboard and has a canvas-like structure. In addition to the 4 LPs, there is also a booklet in LP format.
Marillion's second album was released in 1984. The production of "Fugazi" did not convinced the band. The change of drummer to Ian Mosley (after trying out a few others) meant that the band had to find its feet. The band later said that they were not happy with the production. As a result, a complete remaster was carried out in 1998.
Many reviews have been written about this album. I will concentrate on the essentials.
Neo-prog by Marillion. I didn't understand the lyrics back then and I'm still not sure today if I'll ever fully understand Fish's (Derek William Dick) poetry. But that didn't matter to me, I enjoy the rhythm of the words, the way Fish emphasizes them. It always depends on the atmosphere of the music. If this were a book of poetry, I would buy it too. Is Fugazi a masterpiece? For me, definitely. Script for a Jesters Tear and Fugazi, precisely because they aren't perfect, will always remain Marillion's best albums for me.
“Assassing” has not lost any of its relevance in our social media world, but has gained it. It's about character assassination. Assassination, assassin for murderer and sassing, speaking badly to others. The opener makes it clear: this is prog for your ears.
“Punch & Judy” are two characters from an English puppet theatre. The real theme, however, is the breakdown of a relationship.
Steve Rothery's emotional guitar solo, the quiet passages between the choruses and the loud choruses themselves characterize "Jigsaw". The theme is separation again. Unlike Punch & Judy, which seems more ironic, we get to hear the full range of human emotions here. Fish has never sounded better. Except in...
… “Emerald Lies”. Varied. Mistrust and jealousy, conveyed in a crisp, emotional way. Why do I love prog? This song is a good example.
“She Chameleon” is a lesser-known song, neither the band nor the fans warmed to it. But boring? Because it sounds more like church? It's probably about prostitution. Blaming the whore just because she's deceiving us? “Betrayed on a Lizardsbed”. At the end, the realization that everyone involved is a chameleon “She Chameleon”... “We Chameleons”.
According to singer Fish, “Incubus” is about the revenge of a lover who has been abandoned by his girlfriend. He meets her with her new boyfriend in a bar. It is about revenge, when the abandoned lover reminds her of the erotic Polaroids from back then. Wonderfully intricate. Broken rhythm. Emotional. Cynical and evil. Clearly classic prog and the highlight of this album. “Fugazi” works as an ejector. Inspired by an expression used by GIs from Vietnam. When the situation is hopeless. Transferred to today? Where are the prophets? The visionaries? Where are the poets who break through the twilight of the sentimental mercenaries (that we are)? (Fugazi stands for Fucked Up, Got Ambushed, Zipped In).
Vocals: Derek W. Dick (Fish)
Guitar: Steve Rothery
Bass: Pete Trewavas
Drums: Ian Mosley
Keyboards: Mark Kelly
The photos are all from my LP. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.
