INTERNAL EXILE

Fish's second album is very much a straight follow on from his first. The emphasis is still very much on the lyrics and vocals, with any instrumental passages being kept noticeably brief. With eight 4-6 minute pieces (my version does not include the cover of "Something in the air") the melodies are once again reasonably strong. I do get the impression though that Fish's main focus is on the lyrics, and vocal delivery. "Credo" is great fun in a live situation, but here the repeated "it don't mean nothin'" rings rather too true.

There are of course, a number of good moments and passages. The opening section of "Just good friends" has a "Seasons end" feel and some fine guitar work, although here the lyrics strike me as naïve and simplistic. "Dear friend" is a touching soft ballad, which contrasts sharply with the following, darker "Tongues". The closing title track has a very Celtic feel, climaxing in a rousing accordion reel played by Donald Shaw of Capercaille.

In retrospect, it's easy to see why Fish had to move on from Marillion. He had so much he wanted to say, it would have taken him years to do so within the confines of a band. A good album though, if a bit variable.

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