(Chocolate Frog)

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In the 20 years since he bolted from Marillion, the British folk-prog band that he helped put on the map, singer/songwriter Fish has put together quite the musical resume. With two-dozen live and studio albums under his belt, Fish is a one-man prog-rock cottage industry, which helps put 13th Star, the artist's latest, in proper context.

A muscular work of ambitious musical construction, the album's lyrical concept of self-discovery is shaped by romantic loss and Fish's signature allegorical worldview. 13th Star benefits from Frank Usher and Chris Johnson's soaring, transcendent fretwork, and a dense instrumental soundtrack built from blocks of progressive rock and British folk and jazz, with symphonic flourishes. As always, though, it's Fish's rich, warm voice and unique vision up front, and you either buy into it or you don't … either way, it's a hell of a ride.

Standout Tracks: "Circle Line," "Manchmal"   REV. KEITH A. GORDON