Internal Exile (Fish album) explained

Internal Exile
Type:	Album
Artist:	Fish
Cover:	FishInternalExileOriginal.jpg
Caption:	Cover art by Mark Wilkinson
Released:	28 October 1991^[1]
Studio:	Millennium Recording Studios (Haddington)
Genre:	Progressive rock
Length:	50:14 (original CD) 61:05 (remastered editions) 45:06 (vinyl)
Label:	Polydor
Producer:	Chris Kimsey
Prev Title:	Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors
Prev Year:	1990
Next Title:	Songs from the Mirror
Next Year:	1993

Internal Exile ("A Collection of a Boy's Own Stories") is Fish's second solo album after leaving Marillion in 1988. The album, released 28 October 1991, was inspired by the singer's past, his own personal problems and his troubled experiences with his previous record label EMI.

The album's music reflects Fish's indulgence in the vast regions of music that he wanted to explore as a solo artist; most notably Celtic music and folk styles. The album also has many concert staples such as "Credo", "Tongues" and "Internal Exile" featuring on a number of Fish's official bootleg recordings.

As on Vigil, Fish deals with themes important to him. The song "Internal Exile" speaks of his strong national pride and his desire for independence for Scotland. "Credo" is another song dealing with social problems and globalisation, echoing "State of Mind", his first solo single.

The album was produced by Chris Kimsey, and dedicated to Fish's daughter Tara.

A remastered version was released by Roadrunner Records on 26 October 1998.

Track listing

1. "Shadowplay" – 06:23 (Dick, Mickey Simmonds)
2. "Credo" – 06:40 (Dick, Simmonds, Robin Boult, Frank Usher)
3. "Just Good Friends (Close)" - 06:00 (Dick, Usher, Boult, Simmonds)
4. "Favourite Stranger" - 05:58 (Dick, Usher)
5. "Lucky" - 04:50 (Dick, Boult, Simmonds)
6. "Dear Friend" - 04:08 (Dick, Boult, Simmonds)
7. "Tongues" – 06:22 (Dick, Simmonds, Usher, Boult)
8. "Internal Exile" – 04:45 (Dick, Boult, Simmonds)
9. "Something in the Air" – 05:08 (Speedy Keen) (Track missing from Vinyl release)

Bonus tracks on remastered edition (1998)

10. "Poet's Moon" - 04:26 (Dick, Simmonds, Boult, Usher)
    
11. "Carnival Man" - 06:25 (Dick, Boult, Ted McKenna, Simmonds, Usher, David Paton)

Singles

1. "Internal Exile" (Released 9 September 1991) 7" Single, 12" Single, 12" Picture Disk Single and CD Single
2. "Credo" (Released 2 December 1991) 7" Single, 12" Single and CD Single
3. "Something in the Air" (released 22 June 1992) 7" Single, 12" Single and CD Single (one version released with "Shadow Play" live and the other with "Dear Friend" live)

Personnel

• Lead Vocal: Derek W Dick (Fish)
• Keyboards: Mickey Simmonds
• Guitars: Robin Boult & Frank Usher
• Bass Guitar: David Paton
• Drums and percussion: Ethan Johns except "Tongues" & "Internal Exile" Ted McKenna
• Male Backing Vocals: David Paton, Mr Crimson, Robin Boult
• Female Backing Vocals: Maryen Cairns
• Fiddle on "Internal Exile": Charlie McKerron
• Whistles: Marc Duff
• Box Accordion: Donald Shaw

Charts

Country	Peak position
Netherlands^[2]
Switzerland^[3]
United Kingdom^[4]

Notes and References

1. 26 October 1991. New Releases: Albums. Music Week. 16. 8 September 2022.
2. Web site: Fish - Internal Exile - ultratop.be. Ultratop.
3. Web site: Fish - Internal Exile - ultratop.be. Ultratop.
4. Web site: Internal exile | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company. Official Charts.