What a bittersweet situation it is to listen to 'Weltschmerz', the latest album from Fish. Every time he releases a new wax I end up in a state of euphoria. This has not changed with 'Weltschmerz', on the contrary. However, a huge sense of despair and sadness hovers over me nonetheless, because this is the end. No more studio albums. Fish is calling an end to his long, great yet checkered career and he's going out in style which does make it somewhat easier. But that doesn't hide the fact that there won't be any more studio albums from the illustrious Scot. And as sad as it makes me, Fish wrote some truly amazing compositions, as always, making his swansong a fantastic creation.
Ten songs are featured on 'Weltschmerz', nothing strange with that, however, both the CD and LP versions are double discs. And the total playtime is 84:30 so the double disc setup is a must. But don't let this discourage you because time flies by with the flick of a switch. Everything flows effortlessly making it feel as only 20 minutes has passed instead of 84. I constantly want more and keep it on repeat letting the amazing music take over my whole being. As always Fish is a master of lyrics and he never shies away from difficult and troublesome subject matters. Instead he knows how to bring it all out as it is. 'Weltschmerz', pain of the world or melancholy in German, is very true to its name covering failing relationships, suicide, health problems as well as the current state of the world. As he sings in the title track...”Please let me introduce myself, I'm simply a man of our time. Confused and bewildered, I seem to live without reason nor rhyme”, that's spot on how life is right now, if you ask me.
'The Grace Of God' begins slowly with mainly keyboards, loops and programming being the main focal point. When Fish joins in early on his voice enhances the sense of ”is this it” with the main character. Coming to terms with the knowledge that he is on the verge of passing away, it's is his family who is distraught. Halfway through a solitary acoustic guitar picks up the baton and accompanies Fish in the gradual build-up to the crescendo-like ending. Reflective in tone with sharp riffs and nice drumming, 'Man With A Stick' is a mid-tempo composition taking the protagonist from the cradle to the grave. You pick your place in life and at the end of the day you contemplate if the choices you made along the way were right. Regardless, what is done is done and you have to live with it. Hence, man with a stick. 'Walking On Egg Shells' is light and dark musically. While the guitars brings positivity the keyboards offers strong feelings of uncertainty, as if waiting for the everything to crack. Lyrically Fish sings about a toxic relationship and lost trust. The main character wonders what caused the strife and rift but give it time and she'll be back. So despite the darkness there is hope...but is it too late? More relationship struggles appears in 'The Party's Over'. A couple's life together is coming to an end. One half has matured and works so hard to keep everything together and afloat while the other half still live life like there's no tomorrow. Something's has to give. As dark as these lyrics are the music still envokes a sense of hope and these two contrasts works perfectly together. And this is something Fish is a master at creating. 'Road To Damascus' ends disc 1 and it's a mastodon of a great song. It is about a girl growing up in war-torn Damascus. During all this she adopts a more western view on life which she has to hide from her family. Eventually life as she knows it becomes too untenable, so she leaves. The music follows this excellently being both reflective and expectant, as well as purveying hope and fear of the new life away from her family and the atrocities of war.
'Garden Of Remembrance' is a very heartfelt ode to losing someone close and dear, in this case to Alzheimer's, but it applies anywhere. They're lost long before actually leaving and it's heartbreaking to witness them wither away and become someone they're not. A soft reflective piano accompanies Fish until an equally soft sounding acoustic guitar joins in halfway through. Doris Brendal sings wonderfully heightening the emotions of the song. My favourite composition on this recording. An accordion, an acoustic guitar and drums guides 'C Song (The Trondheim Waltz)' until the second half of the song when the full band takes the song home. About suicide in the shape of a farewell note from a man ready to leave. 'Little Man What Now?' focuses on the notion of out of sight out of mind. If I stick my head in the sand like an ostrich, I'll get by. And I don't have to make a stand for or against anything. The music is minimalistic and kind of jazzy, perhaps due to the prominent saxophone. Regardless, it fits the music perfectly. The pace picks up towards the end lead by a brilliant guitar solo. A repetitive acoustic guitar line reminiscent of the hypnotic thumping of a train is prevalent throughout 'Waverley Steps (End Of The Line)'. The music gradually escalates as the protagonist's struggles increases only to slow down as life is coming to an end. All that was won is now lost and greed and jealousy caused it all. Now the former hotshot lives on the streets strung out fighting a losing battle with depression and drugs. This excellent album ends with the title track and 'Weltschmerz', the song, is a very poignant composition and it becomes more prophetical and true each day that goes by. Looking back at what was and how it is now, how we all are thrown to the wolves by the power-that-be, who are supposed to protect us. Dark and dejected the music still offers hope albeit faint. This is the rocker of the album.
This is it, no more studio albums by Fish. The circle is closed so lets enjoy the legacy he has left us. 'Weltschmerz' is the perfect closure, such a fantastic creation, but the void of Fish no longer recording is growing stronger every day. Be that as it may though, purely musically this album is one of the strongest albums made by the big Scot being up there with 'A Feast Of Consequences', not forgetting his work with Marillion. If you haven't picked up a copy yet I urge you to because 'Weltschmerz' is a must in any collection. The words above are my interpretation of these 10 songs and I might have strayed from Fish's lyrical intention but this is how I perceive it and I hope you enjoyed reading it.
Slàinte Mhath!
-Swedebeast
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