13th Star [CD]

I own all of Fish's albums and am a huge fan so I had to think for a while before judging this as 5 stars as I had to try and remain impartial and judge the album for it's worth. Honestly, this is a man who has delivered his most definitive piece of work yet. I think he will find it hard to better this album. The music is visceral, very dark but not oppressive. You really appreciate the emotional and mental turmoil he must have gone through as this album really is a heart on sleeve testimonial about what he has endured over the last few months, a catharsis to some extent. I was in the crowd as Fish sang 'Manchmal', in Glasgow, on a night when Scotland beat France at football. That song will live with me forever as the crowd were in awe of his performance before the whole crowd erupted when he smiled and said "McFadden's scored." So, it would be hard for me not to think kindly of this album. However, I have listened to Fish's previous offerings since listening to this and they don't come near 13th Star as this truly is a superb collection of tracks. This is a brilliant piece of work and one that deserves all the tributes forth-coming. I've run out of superlatives.

I've been a big Fish fan since the Marillion days and its great to see the big man back on top again. This album is simply his best solo work. So many great songs - an emotional rollercoaster. Faves for me are Arc of the Curve and 13th Star, but frankly there isn't a weak song on the album. Bought it (with extra DVD) from Fish's website back in October - and have played it to death. The man is a god.

Fish has done some very fine solo albums since leaving Marillion, although only occasionally have they come close to the band's masterpieces of 'Misplaced Childhood' and 'Clutching at Straws' recorded back in the eighties. '13th Star' has blown that opinion clean out of the water with an astonishingly strong piece of work that at least matches anything he has done previously in his career.

I loved the previous studio album 'Field of Crows' but it seemed at the time it might be Fish's last- his interest seemed to be focussing on acting. The success of the 'Return to Childhood' tour seemed to reinvigorate his passion in music however, and early in 2007 he announced the intention to produce the concept album '13th Star'

I was a bit surprised to learn that the main co-writer would be long-time bass player Steve Vantsis, who had not previously written - would it be any good?

Early in the process Fish got a show on UK radio station Planet Rock and through the next few months the demos for the new album were played - from very early stages through to unmixed final recordings. It started to become apparent that the new album had a lot to offer, and definitely was going to have some 'heavy' sections.

In the meantime Fish went on an emotional rollercoaster ride. He rekindled his relationship with Heather Findlay and got engaged, only for them to split in May just after the wedding invitations had been sent. The album was bound to reflect the upheaval.

The concept on the album is of a man trapped in routine trying to find his 'navigator' in life- dreaming of a lasting love, believing he's found that person and then the falling apart, before ending with some hope. The inner sleeve features arguably Mark Wilkinson's finest album artwork ever, inspired by the lyric to the track 'Dark Star' . The album was produced by Calum Malcolm, who has given the album a superb sound quality, something which can not be said of some previous Fish offerings.

The album kicks in with 'Circle Line' , a dark, snappy groove, with plenty of biting guitars and atmosphere which really sets the scene for the album. Play this on headphones and hear the dynamics in the production.

Next is 'Square Go' which is based around a single very heavy riff and Fish spitting out a spoken section where he vents real venom in his desire for a 'fair fight' with the world. This could scare young children.

'Miles de Besos' ,is an atmospheric ballad written with returning keys man Foss Patterson. There is some nice Spanish guitar work in this one but for me the chorus lacks the edge of the other songs on the album.

Zoe 25 is next - here the album climbs onto the highest level as a hypnotic blend of acoustic guitar and piano and a warm production take you through a 'daydream'. Lyrically it paints a vivid picture.

'Arc of the Curve' is an excellent song which could make radio- not a million miles from 'Kayleigh'. At this point the traveller thinks he's found his true love and it falls out of the speakers as an anthemic rock ballad with wonderful melody.

Of course the dream relationship doesn't last and in 'Manchmal' the doubts creep in with the heaviest thing Fish has ever done- quite simply an astonishing riff that kicks along at pace as Fish wraps himself around the words with great passion. Halfway through the song suddenly changes into a gentler section.

'Openwater' was written with guitarist Frank Usher and is another fine heavy track - it snaps along with ripping guitars and swirling keys, and benefits from superb production.

At this stage the album probably needs the 'epic' and 'Dark Star' delivers big time. A slow, gloomy world as Fish reflects on the split suddenly has a searing chorus which, after the second chorus climbs into a huge soundscape through which an excellent guitar solo hammers home the sound as worlds slowly collide.

Then it's ballad time with 'Where in the World' , heartfelt reflective lyrics and superbly crafted music which progresses through two distinct sections.

Finally we get to the title track. Throughout the album Fish has been singing in a low range which suits his voice more these days, but on this one he goes even lower and is absolutely emotionally naked. In recording this he pieced together the vocal between being overcome by emotion and the tears can be heard in his voice through the first half of the song. Then the song climbs up to classic album closer mode with an uplifting, optimistic section with mandolin and more fine backing vocals as Fish resumes his search for the point in his life - the '13th Star'.

I never expected something this good and Steve Vantsis and Fish have made a great collaboration. The seamless links between the heavy sections and the emotional melodic tracks make for an album which in a fair world will dervedly see Fish gain both commercial success and critical acclaim.