The success of Fish, Derek William Dick, since he left Marillion back in 1988 has been full of promise, but has never reached its full potential. His most successful release was his debut, Vigil In Wilderness of Mirrors (1989). Albums following have been lackluster in sales, and in recognition by the music world. His latest effort, Raingods with Zippos, will hopefully put an upward swing into his solo career.
To truly enjoy Raingods with Zippos, one must be very patient with the progression of the music. The first song, “Tumbledown”, starts out with a two- minute piano prelude by piano maestro Mickey Simmonds before going to the heart of the music. Once the piano cuts out, hold on to your hats, because out comes Fish’s progressive-rock style. Listen for the sonically blazing solo scaled by Steve Wilson.
“Mission Statement” is packed with pure rock and roll soul. There’s something about an organ that just seems to lift the music to a new level. The guitars of Watson, Boult, and Paulman are a combo of rock-blues that have probably not been duplicated since ZZ Top’s Eliminator. Fish throws his soul in as well. “I punched the clock in at 35, I thank the Lord that I’m still alive/Sometimes I find it hard to believe that my hearts still beating, that I’m still on my feet/I’m gonna give you, gonna give you a mission statement.”
“Plagues of Ghosts” is a diverse twenty-five minute composition of drums, bass, guitar, singing, and spoken word to carry to the epilogue out. The six pieces woven into the concept of ” Plagues of Ghosts” are done with a masterful balance. The transition from the techno drums of “Waving at Star” to the piano driven “Raingod’s Dancing” to the serenity of “The Wake-up Call (Make it Happen)” all help to solidly finish the record.
To make a conscious effort to really understand this album, I highly advise listening from start from finish. Raingods with Zippos is a battle back and forth between delicate tracks and rip-roaring rock. The slower songs that appear may lose some fans, but those who crave progressive rock and roll will appreciate the album’s efforts.
+ larry sarzyniak
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