13TH STAR

If you take most of the songs from this album separately, they are quite pleasant, melodic for some but also harder (even heavy) at times. But since I use to listen to albums in their entirety, I do confess that I feel bored with these heavy sounds which are too invading. But Fish is not the only one who has embraced this style. Maybe an overall tendency of the modern world?

Circle Line and Square Go correspond to this pattern and are just average songs. Powerful but not very attractive. As it was the case with his previous effort, I prefer the more intimate songs like Miles De Besos. An enjoyable ballad, full of emotion and tenderness as Zoe 25. A bit too sad maybe. At the opposite of the two opening numbers.

I think that some auto-biographical work already started in his previous album (more precisely in Scattering Crows) and this is only a continuation I guess. The big man was obviously disturbed by the end of his relation with Heather in May 2007 a few weeks before their wedding. But who wouldn't?

To keep the balance, some more heavy (metal) notes for Manchmal. Lots of noisy guitar parts, it is not very appealing to me. But it was maybe the way that the big man decided to express his feelings at the time.And "Open Water" is perpetuating the same canvas. At this time of the album one might have the feeling to press quit.but it would be a mistake since some excellent songs are still to come.

Dark Star features a slow and heavy style. It is indeed rather oppressive and dark which brilliantly evolves crescendo into a great guitar break (finally!).

My favorite song is the quiet and emotional Where In The World. Such a personal song, I quote: We had our stage, the scene was set, the passion play, our roles were written, we had our destiny, our lives were meant to be, We were going home, we were going home.

The promises, the tender touch, we made our love and kissed with open eyes, You took me by surprise; you hurt me deep inside, how could you then decide, That you're going home. You're going home.

The melancholic mood remains for the closing number (which opens with these symptomatic words: with a heart full of sky. Nothing less than the title of a Mostly Autumn album.(hi Heather).

"Thirteenth Star" is a good album; a balance between heavy rock and fine ballads. Three stars.