| 13th Star is an album by Fish. Released as a limited edition via mail-order in September 2007 and to retail in February 2008, it is his ninth solo studio album since he left Marillion in 1988 and the first since Field of Crows (2004). Released on Fish's own imprint Chocolate Frog Record Company, retail distribution is handled by Snapper Music.
Steve Vantsis, who had been Fish's permanent bassist since the tour supporting Sunsets on Empire (1997), makes his debuts as the main writing partner on the album (a role previously held by, among others, Mickey Simmonds, Steven Wilson, John Wesley and most recently Bruce Watson). It features a rougher, more guitar-based and slightly industrial sound on a number of tracks and is therefore perceived as a departure by many fans. However, Fish had explored similar ideas as early as on Sunsets on Empire and Raingods with Zippos (1999). Also, a number of tracks have classic Fish hallmarks, significantly enhanced by the presence of his longtime companion Frank Usher on guitars.
Most lyrics deal with, or are at least implicitly in reference to Fish's failed relationship with Mostly Autumn singer Heather Findlay who left him in 2007, canceling their scheduled wedding. The title 13th Star originally referred to Heather as being the 13th female significant other in Fish's life, but ended up as a metaphor for an (unknown) future relationship, it is also the 13th album of his career (4 with Marillion & 9 solo). The original title of the song Zoë 25 was Micklegate, after the place where Fish had proposed to Heather.
Steve Vantsis, previously strictly the bassist, emerges as the dominant musician on the album. Apart from most of the songwriting, he is also responsible for electric and acoustic guitars and keyboards. The main guitarist is once again Frank Usher, who also co-wrote one song (Openwater). Keyboards are handled by Foss Paterson, returning into the line-up for the first time since 1997 (except for a brief one-off stint on the 2000 tour of Bosnia). He also co-wrote the only other non-Vantsis song on the album, the piano ballad "Miles de Besos". Further guitar credits go to Chris Johnson (of The Evernauts and Mostly Autumn), who is also the second guitarist on the tour. Another Mostly Autumn connection is former Karnataka drummer Gavin Griffiths, who briefly played with them in 2007. Dave Haswell, who had already contributed to Fish's previous three studio albums, plays additional percussion. Female backing vocals are by Lorna Bannon, who had appeared on Songs from the Mirror, Suits and Sunsets on Empire.
The album was produced by Calum Malcolm, who had mixed and/or (re)mastered several Fish albums before. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply. |
