Customer Reviews

Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, if you like Fish-era Marillion, then this is the cd to purchase. It basically sounds like early Marillion, and almost every song is amazing. I've got to warn you though - this record is extremely depressing, and it may put you in a sad mood just from listening to it. However, the emotion and strength of the music outweighs the somber feelings conveyed.

I personally used this cd in dealing with a break up. I was seeing a girl for a long time, and when we split up, I listened to VIGIL, and I think it may have only increased the sadness I felt. It's definitely not an album to ride your bike to. Tracks like 'Cliche,' 'Family Business,' 'A Gentleman's Excuse Me,' and 'The Company' will make you want to kill yourself, plus they sound like the type of Marillion we'd hear on CLUTCHING AT STRAWS or MISPLACED CHILDHOOD. The title track is about lying to cover up lies, and in a more historical sense, it refers to cold war relations. The U.S.S.R. had defectors, they knew it, and to make up for it, they fed some high risk government workers bogus information. The United States had to decipher fact from fiction and this was called a 'Wilderness of Mirrors.' The only track I think is a bit cheesy here is 'The Voyeur'. There are also some more upbeat, poppy, 80's-sounding tunes like 'Big Wedge,' which is about the one-dimensional motivations of greed in the United States as well as 'View From a Hill.' All of these songs either deal with Fish leaving Marillion, or Fish having some type of problem with a female. Honestly, though, are you surprised?

Fish's vocals here are spectacular, and this record may be the strength of his career when focussing strictly on the vocals. Other notable musicians here are Mickey Simmonds (keyboards), Robin Boult (guitar), and Frank Usher (guitar). There are also three notable bonus tracks. The alternative takes of 'A Gentleman's Excuse Me' and 'The Company' sound a bit more raw, but well worth it. There's also the scottish-influenced 'Internal Exile' which will make you feel like putting on a kilt.

This is one of my all type favorite records...EVER. I don't see too many reviews on here, and that means many people are obviously missing out on this gem.

If you like "Script", "Fugazi" and "Misplaced Childhood", you won't be disappointed !

The much anticipated "Vigil In ..." is almost as good as expected. His band is not quite as good as Marillion, and I'm a bigger fan of the post Fish Marillion than the solo Fish. There are some really good tunes here that maybe could have been better Marillion tunes had Fish stayed a member."The Company", "Family Business", "Big Wedge", and " A Gentleman's Excuse Me" all rank with his best Marillion tunes. This one was always a little pricey as an import and I don't think it was ever released domestically to my knowledge; but it's the one to have.

If you know fish you know that he used to be the lead singer for marillion. The music he was making then was good, this cd by him self is great!!His lyrics say something about our society, they al have a message. from songs like "the Voyeur" that talks about tv news,our need for Jerry springer like entertainment, to the song "family business" that talks about abuse situations. The music is just fabulous, a mix of rock, ballad and symphony. Listen to it and you'll be hooked !!!

Please listen to your fans Fish:"more albums like this!". This is the best solo album of Fish by far. His voice and lyrics are second to none here. It was right after my favorite Marillion album "Clutching at Straws". The strings and horns are perfectly placed on this album. The Janick Gers (of Iron Maiden) cowritten song with Fish song "View from the HIll" is top notch. Actually, all the songs here are terrific. If you like Fish or a great voice with equal lyrics, then this is the album for you. I don't know why he went away so much from this style, but he did and has really disappointed me. The only album that is close is "Raingods with Zippos".

I have most of his recordings, and this one is one of the best. (If not THE best...) This recording is essential in every collection. Almost all the songs are great. 'Family Business', 'The Company' and 'Clichè' are worth the price tag alone. Buy it!

This album is one that stands on its own very well. It was released in 1989 after the Fish/Marillion acrimonious split. Fish did a beautiful job for his first solo effort. Although the production is dated, it would've been a stellar follow-up to Marillion's last album with Fish, Clutching At Straws. Marillion's own follow-up with their new singer wasn't as good. There are some songs here, Cliche in particular, that are amongst the best ever released by either camp. Cliche would fit nicely into Marillion's seminal album, Misplaced Childhood; so would A Gentleman's Excuse Me. The album flows well, it is executed well and the production is also excellent, albeit dated. I think that Fish does some of the best vocal performances of his career here. This is by no means a concept album, but the themes are well thought-out and as usual the lyrics superbly written. A must have for any fans of prog rock music. I didn't know what to expect when I bought it, but I was not disappointed. There was only 1 song that I didn't care for; State Of Mind. It isn't bad, it's just mediocre compared to the others. I highly recommend this album to fans of prog, Marillion and ambient music. Highlights:

Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors
Big Wedge
A Gentleman's Excuse Me
Family Business
View From The Hill
Cliche

The 2005 remaster of this album has greatly improved sound and 3 extra tracks two of which are also very good. (Wiplash and Jack and Jill) The 3rd extra track is forgettable.

after 4 studio albums with marillion ,which were amazing,one better than the previous,fish and mates were at a creative crossroads disagreement,fish (aka derek dick),went out on his own. his unique voice ,combined with his lyric writing ability,and talent scouting for outstanding musicians,knock this cd out of the park.
the opening title track is reminicent of nothing he had ever done before with marillion.the music is tight,lyrics that run you through adolesence to adulthood.
fish was never one to fall into corporate politics,promises,or butt kissing to enhance his career,and he is very vocal about it on "the company",and "view from the hill",not only well written,but musically sound.he tackles the subject of abuse within the family unit with a brilliant song "family business",simply the best.
but...the best is in his finale"cliche" is everything we want to say to a loved one,but didn't want to sound like everyone else.awesome music,and words!!!!!!!!!!
do not be afraid of picking this jewel up....

This is really quite a good cd. I think I was a little let down with a few songs just because I heard the demos on the Clutching at Straws bonus disc and they really captivated me before I even new this album existed. Still, great music and the bonus songs are great as well. Im lucky to own this.

Ok, the title is a joke. But no doubt this album is very similar to Marillion, but something very amazing happened here: like other lead singers that left their outfits to record masterpiece debuts (Ozzy's BLIZZARD OF OZZ, DIo's HOLY DIVER, for example), Fish managed to to just that with this masterpiece, this phenomenal album, his best solo album (another usual thing: the first is the best....). All the track are killer, and it surely is much better than Marillion's debut with Steve Hogarth, SEASONS END.
IT's a shame Fish could not keep releasing strong albuns such as this for so long...