VIGIL IN A WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS

This is truly a masterpiece of an album, as the majority of reviewers have already stated. Regardless of whether you like or dislike Fish's work with Marillion, you will love this album. The atmospheric "Vigil" opens with a chilling lyric and is eventually launched into a bagpipe- led march, accompanied with shouts by the great Scot. It's a soaring track, and a great introduction to this solo debut.

"Big Wedge" is a dramatic departure from the opening track, and the weakest song on the album - mostly because it has a different feel than the rest. Any doubts are immediately thrown aside with "State Of Mind", a lyrically dazzling cry against corrupt government. The song kicks off the first of three great songs at the heart of the album. The second is "The Company", a folk-influenced ballad/drinking-song to friends. Some of the Scot nationalist tones more apparent in later albums are present in the song. The third is "A Gentlemen's Excuse Me", a beautiful ballad, soaked with strings and an excellent vocal performance from Fish.

Another standout track on the album is "Family Business" (originally set to the music of "Berlin" - check out the second disc of 'Clutching At Straws'). It's a lyrical and musically viscious account of abuse, with a terrifyingly powerful vocal. The album marks a new era for Fish, and he delivers.