Customer Reviews

Neither Fish Nor Flesh

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is NOT an easy record to get into, and it probably would have fared FAR better had it not been released on the heels of his classic smash record "Hardline...". In fact, if this journey of a record had been released, say, today, what, with all of the ambient and psychedlic sub-genres floating around, we'd probably be hailing this one as a classic.

Well, parts of it, anyway. As big a fan of D'arby as I may be, I have to admit some of the stuff is just D'arby for D'arby's sake and not yours, the audience's, and the record suffers for it. However, if you can get it used, get it for "Roly Poly" alone. The song is MAD funky and the guy is beating on a cardboard box, for God's sake. I'm not joking. There's also the world-music influences (again, ahead of its time) of "It Feels So Good To Love Someone...", which is, simply put, a beautiful song.

Neither Fish Nor Flesh's downfall is it's lack of real commercial singles and a certain jealous Sony labelmate's sabotage if you believe Terence himself. That's not to say the music here is any worse overall than Hardline. The unofficially Stevie Wonder Summer Soft sampling "To Know Someone Deeply", Motown-esque "Billy Don't Fall" and the gospel attack of "I Don't Want To Bring Your God's Down" are some favourites of mine. Don't believe the hype, there was no dramatic artistic post-Hardline disaster.

hearing the Gospel of I'll be Alright is classic D'arby.this Disc had so much Range&style that it was scary.the Talent Level of this Man is no Joke.as a Writer,arranger,Producer,Instrumentalist&vocalist he is a very complete Artist.alot of folks Slept on this Disc.it's a shame.Billy Don't Fall was Genius.To Know someone deeply is to know someone Softly is a Great Slow-Jam.you feel a true Talent through out this Disc.

The first time you hear this album, it's tough to get your head around, partially because a couple of tracks (most notably "I have faith in these desolate times") are selfconciously Art with a capital "A". However, once you hit "To Know Someone Deeply", the tracks become brilliant one after the other. However, almost all of them don't grab you on the first listen (outside of the straightforward "I'll Be Alright".) A good example is the off-key harmonies in the electric "Attracted to You". However, once you get used to what TTD is doing, on the second & third listens, you're amazed at the range of this guy, from Marvin Gaye-like soul to Prince funk to stuff that is such a hybrid of influences that you can only say that it sounds like Terence Trent D'Arby.
14 years later, this is still one of my top 5 albums of all time. A pure work of genius (even if he did say so himself).

This album, in my estimation, was one of the best albums to come out during the late 1980's -- and my favorite TTD album. I don't know why the record company didn't push this album -- because it is truly a work of art from start to finish.

It's really sad that American audiences are so enamored with glitz and glam, than with art that has true substance. Definitely a long overlooked gem for any true lover of music.

He went off the deep end huh? Wouldn't you? Or would you prefer to stay in the 'shallow' end? Yeah, anyway -good work Sananda.

While HARDLINE hinted that Mr D'Arby was more than just a soul shouter/crooner, this album proved quite a shock to most people - probably most of all to Columbia Records. He attempts to expand his scope past simple pop/rock/soul, and while he does so, he leaves a lot of people behind. This is obviously a very personal album, but I found it a bit *too* personal - sometimes one isn't sure what he's saying (or doing), or why. He obviously had the money and time to experiment to his heart content - and that may have been a bit *too* much time and money. Mr D'Arby gets to play everything from a piano at the bottome of a swimming pool to a Taiwanese Limited Edition kazoo, and while the songs are mostly engaging, none really rise to brilliance. This is equally true of the lyrics, which are always interesting, but sometimes read better than they sing. "This Side of Love" was Columbia's desperate attempt at a hit single - it's cool, but my gut tells me "I'll Be Alright" would've been more successful. There are plenty of neat songs here - I particularly like "I Don't Want to Bring Your Gods Down" and "Billy Don't Fall". Newcomers to TTD should probably start at the first album - this is a good album, but one you need to spend a lot of energy listening to - it doesn't quite work for background music.

I think this is the album in which TTD really showed the world his true artistic vision. In terms of diversity, the overall variety on this album is frightening,lol. Funk,soul,blues,classic rock,a capella, stripped-down R&B, and other styles not so well known he manages to combine with his extremely soulful singing. Oh, and the songs are as eclectic as they get, with lyrics so playful and poetic that they leave you entertained and thoughtful at the same time!! Many will probably not like this album just because of its sharp departure from his debut, but for the serious TTD listener, this album is essential listening.

This is truly a mood album, but what mood is it? This is the main question you'll ask yourself as you play this over and over, which might be T's main goal on this, his unforgettable second album. The delectable "I Have Faith..." will make you a believer in his lyrical ability, and "I Don't Want To Bring your Gods Down" will make you stand up and say amen. His influences truly shine here: James Brown, Sam Cooke, maybe early Michael Jackson and Prince with his syrupy falsetto. Definitely a richly textured if somewhat unevenly sequenced set of sounds from a most unpredictable artist. Still, I got the feeling he was reaching for more, but couldn't put it on the record. It ends too soon, I wanted just one more song. But I'm moody, too. TTD and I share the same birthday, maybe that's his point: keep us wanting more. Children of the Ides do that. If this is his goal, yeah, it worked! Pop it in and press "play." You won't be disappointed.

TTD is the most creative mind in music today. He has surpassed Prince, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. His sound is the most unique and distinctive sound around. No one else sounds anything like him.

Blending elements of Jazz, classical, pop, R&B, rap, rock, alternative, latin... even country. HE is truly a Genius! Now in my mind the other 3 listed are as well but right now, he is the king. Unfortunately few people have a diverse enough musical background to appreciate what it is that Terence is doing and to the untrained ear it may sound like noise. Incredibly intricate arrangements and great emotion make all of his work phenomenal!

Take the time to Listen. You might not get it for 4 or five sittings, maybe more. But it's well worth the effort. If you can get it you will be thrilled.