SUNSETS ON EMPIRE

This album arguably relaunched Fish's solo career with a new purpose and direction. In Steve Wilson he found a strong writing partner/producer and the result is this very strong album. 'Perception of Johnny Punter' is a bold opener, with slow, heavy riff and spoken sections. 'Brother 52' finally achieves (after several previous failed attempts) a dancey prog number while the title track is a powerful outro leading into the vulnerable 'Say it with Flowers'. 'Jungle Ride' is where Fish paints a vivid picture of youthful urban violence but the live version of this track blows away the album original.

Of all Fish's solo albums this probably sounds least like any other and so can divide opinion but can also attract praise from those normally less fond of his solo work. A different (and subsequently dropped) logo and the overall packaging also contribute to making this album more distinctive.Let's talk about it in the morning....