Painfully Somber
Christopher Calabrese | Watertown, CT, USA | 07/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Great album for Marillion fans !
Script For the Jester's Tear | Longwood, FL USA | 01/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like "Script", "Fugazi" and "Misplaced Childhood", you won't be disappointed !"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
