VIGIL IN A WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS

This was Fish's first album released in 1990 after leaving MARILLION in 1988. Considering he was the vocalist for MARILLION for all those years i'm surprised that this album doesn't remind me more of MARILLION than it does. He purposely changed direction, in fact towards the end of his time with MARILLION he was trying to turn the band in a different direction which was rejected thankfully. In fact many of these songs on this album were rejected by the band who didn't want them on a MARILLION album. Again i'm glad the band stood their ground. I have a hard time getting into most of these tracks. I'm also surprised with all the musicians on this album that i've only heard of one, and that is IRON MAIDEN's Janick Gers who guests on one track.

"Vigil" is the longest track closing in on 9 minutes. Lots of atmosphere to open as the reserved vocals join in before a minute.The song starts to kick into gear before 3 minutes as it builds. We even get some pipes and whistles on this one around 5 minutes. "Big Wedge" is uptempo with horns to start before it settles and Fish goes off in his anti-religous rant. Man I don't like the horns on this one or the song for that matter. "State Of Mind" opens with some funky bass as vocals come in in a reserved manner. Some female backing vocals that i'm not into but the mood of the song is laid back and relaxed.

"The Company" is folky with some violin and accordion. "A Gentleman's Excuse Me" is ballad-like with vocals and piano leading. Some strings too. "The Voyeur (I Like To Watch)" is catchy with guitar reminding me of Beck and a good beat. "Family Business" is one of two songs that remind me of MARILLION. It's laid back with Fish singing softer. I like it until it gets fuller. Contrasts continue though. "View From A Hill" is the one with Janick Gers playing guitar. It's mellow with gentle guitar and vocals to start. It does kick in though although contrasts continue. I like it. "Cliche" is melancholic and is the only other track to recall MARILLION. It's laid back with some tasteful guitar that cries out before 3 minutes and later to end it.

Barely 3 stars and not the best of starts to Fish's solo career.