SUNSETS ON EMPIRE

1997. It took me time but finally Marillion without Fish was as irremediable as it demonstrated it still made sense. Hogarth was good, and helped the band to experiment new directions although Fish had such a very special charism. We could finally "live without him" and still appreciate the fantastic band. It´s still a personal analysis but I would summarize : the great musicians found another great singer, even if arguably a decent lyrics writer. Steve is probably more adaptable to his colleagues whereas Fish left little room around him.

What about Fish as a solo artist? He certainly is an impressive writer and probably more charismatic as a singer than his successor. And musically...well he is basically a singer ! And his effort in making albums seemed to fluctuate over time. I would hardy consider the man as a perfectionnist. Each time he released an album the guy had something to say, for sure. But whatever the technique ? Certainly a tad unfair but... This weakness translated into an heterogeous series of albums, intensified by the continuous changes in the board of musicians involved in the projects.

This time : Sunset on Empire. The great singer, the fantastic songwriter, was strongly inspired and extremely well supported by an immensely talented musician, namely Steven Wilson. As a result : The first song of the album is already among the best songs Fish as ever released (even with Marillion) And it does not take long to know it. For me it was a great shock after less than a minute !

I do love the potent energy, rather postive overall that emanates from that album (another good example is Brother 52)

The other songs are good enough to complete a very good album. The result is more than enjoyable and gives you a strong urge to play it again after the last song.

One last word in this 2013 review : the man did it again in 2007 : 13th Star deserves 5 stars !

Monpierrot