Fish - 13th Star

New studio set from Sir Derek

Fish’s latest is really a game of two halves. The songwriting and production values are as pristine as ever, but the first half-dozen songs on offer here see him in reflective, armchair-with-a-dram mode, and things only begin to liven up from Track Seven, Open Water. Album opener Circle Line is replete with world beats, sharp guitar lines and typically surging vocals, while on the other end of the spectrum, spoken-word interludes and music-box tinkles mark out Square Go. Other numbers feature piano to the fore, but it’s really only on the aforementioned Open Water that more up-tempo guitar, synths and percussion stir the mix. A Roger Waters-like atmosphere permeates the blues-rock guitar number, and continues to do so on the imposing, closing title track, with female backing vocals and zither, and the electro-acoustic Dark Star.

Chocolate Frog | CF 1402207

Reviewed by Tim Jones
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