Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Fish
Label: Polydor Records
Release: 1991
Running time: 50:13
Rating: 4.5/5
»Internal Exile«, subtitled »A Collection of a Boy’s Own Stories«, was the second studio outing on his own for the legendary Scottish vocal oddball Fish, who had already made it clear on his excellent debut »Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors« (1990) that he was a force to be reckoned with even after splitting from Marillion. The lyrics on the album draw on Fish’s past and his by now almost traditionally traumatic personal relationships, as well as his bitterness toward his former label EMI, which he happily left while recording »Internal Exile« and, for a short time, signed with Polydor instead.
»Internal Exile« features musicians of real caliber, including his regular guitar sidekick Frank Usher, keyboard maestro Mickey Simmonds (ex-Mike Oldfield, Camel, Renaissance), bassist and occasional singer David Paton (ex-Pilot, The Alan Parsons Project, Camel), established drummer and producer Ethan Johns (who has produced, among others, Tom Jones and Joe Cocker) and drummer Ted McKenna (ex-Rory Gallagher, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, The Michael Schenker Group), while the production was handled by the cult producer Chris Kimsey. The album was dedicated to Fish’s daughter Tara.
Musically, besides Fish’s trademark artistic flair, »Internal Exile« is marked by directions he had always wanted to explore, led by traditional Celtic folk music, which is no surprise given that he has always been a proud Scottish patriot. Quite a few of the lyrics pay tribute to his homeland and to Fish’s longing for Scottish independence. Here and there you can feel the influence of various world music styles, though to the delight of his longtime fans, the unbreakable highlander once again swears mainly by symphonic prog rock finesse. »Internal Exile« contains several live staples, led by the title track, »Credo«, »Just Good Friends (Close)« and »Tongues«.
The opening prog rock merry-go-round »Shadowplay«, which stirs up a few memories of his Marillion days, presents Fish once again as a complex musician with razor-sharp lyrical messages and a unique vocal approach, where his charisma alone is enough to conjure up a mighty atmosphere that instantly sends the listener winding through the twists and turns of their own, usually deep, personal feelings and experiences. His talent for telling personal as well as socially critical stories has always been entirely his own. Simmonds’ orchestral arrangements are exceptionally tasteful, while Usher’s biting guitar has always suited Fish’s vocal expression perfectly and blends beautifully into the hyper-dramatic atmosphere.
The fan favorite »Credo« is another socially conscious track, tackling the then-burning issue of globalization, which in Fish’s patriotic view brought nothing good, especially for ‘small’ and endangered peoples. This solemn evergreen boasts a mighty chorus and a melancholic guitar riff, giving full vocal expression to the highlander’s powerful emotions about the individual’s powerlessness in a rapidly changing world, where cultures thousands of years old are fast dying out. »Just Good Friends (Close)« is one of the best love ballads of the friendly Scottish giant’s solo career, telling of his experience with a person who meant a lot to him but who, in the end, gave him the brush-off. Despite the wounded heart, the mood isn’t sad like it usually is when Fish’s heartbreaks come up, but almost cheeky, with gorgeous orchestral arrangements, pleasant acoustic backing and a great guitar solo from Usher.
The next ballad, »Favourite Stranger«, features interesting world music percussion elements that create a mysterious atmosphere, with which Fish joined Peter Gabriel and Sting, two more vocal legends who loved to do exactly this in their music in the early nineties. Here Fish’s voice shows up in its gentlest possible form, without a trace of boisterous emotion, yet it still comes with his trademark protective vocal warmth. The slightly funky »Lucky« has a contrasting, rather wry and a little mocking atmosphere with a socially critical message about unfair social divides. »Dear Friend« is yet another contemplative ballad with pastoral touches that would be a merely average effort in the hands of some other musician, but Fish’s vocals turn it into a rich, confessional experience in which the listener can easily slip into his personal story.
»Tongues« is convincingly by far the darkest and tensest creation on the album, with Fish shining through his protective theatrical vocal approach, accompanied by dramatic orchestration and backing female vocals from Maryen Cairns. The title track, a folk rock classic where the patriot Fish touches on his longing for Scottish independence, has a generous Celtic atmosphere thanks to its wind and string arrangements, and boasts the singer’s incredible vocal fervor and pride, which often carry him off ‘up in the clouds’. The atmosphere and rhythm are almost danceable, so it’s no surprise this classic would fit perfectly at any traditional Celtic (Scottish, Irish or Welsh) shindig. The closing pop rock track »Something In the Air«, a cover of the renowned English musician John Cee, which appeared as a bonus track on the original CD release, is another interesting experiment with world music elements, and in Fish’s version it has some nice hit potential too.
With »Internal Exile«, which sadly never brought him the commercial success it deserved, Fish delivered yet another album early in his solo career, one whose powerful, confessional atmosphere always leaves a strong mark on the listener, and which also pays a beautiful tribute to his beloved homeland. The album contains some of the best work of his solo career, which is more than enough to put it right at the top of his studio output as a solo artist.
Lineup
Derek W Dick (Fish) – vocals
Mickey Simmonds – keyboards
Frank Usher – guitar
Robin Boult – guitar, backing vocals
David Paton – bass guitar, backing vocals
Ethan Johns – drums and percussion
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Ted McKenna – drums and percussion on ‘Tongues’ & ‘Internal Exile’
Chris Kimsey – backing vocals
Maryen Cairns – backing vocals
Charlie McKerron – fiddle on ‘Internal Exile’
Marc Duff – whistles
Donald Shaw – accordion
Production
Chris Kimsey
Track List
1. Shadowplay
2. Credo
3. Just Good Friends (Close)
4. Favourite Stranger
5. Lucky
6. Dear Friend
7. Tongues
8. Internal Exile
9. Something In The Air
