Album Review: Neither Fish Nor Flesh

It's been a while since I did an album review (or any review, to be honest) so the time has come. The album will be Terence Trent D'Arby's 1989 sophomore effort, Neither Fish Nor Flesh, a Soundtrack of Love, Faith, Hope & Destruction.

I know what you're thinking: why is Mark reviewing a thirty year old album that was considered a failure, even by D'Arby himself? The answer is simple: I enjoy listening to it. I'll go so far as to say I love the album in all its sprawling glory.

In 1987, D'Arby made his infamous debut with "Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby," with the claim that "my album is better than Sgt. Pepper." This, in the twentieth anniversary of said Beatles album, caused a huge controversy, as one might imagine. And he was right; I enjoy Introducing The Hardline... more than Sgt. Pepper while remaining a fan of both bands.

All this attention caused great expectations for a follow up, but Neither Fish Nor Flesh was met with a lukewarm reception upon release. An album of solid songs but no stand out singles, it spent a short time on the charts before fading from the public eye.

I recall seeing D'Arby on television in what seemed to be a sidewalk interview in which he apologized for the album's performance. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, as NFNF (as I'll call it) was, to my taste, far superior to its predecessor.

Clearly, I was in the minority. Perhaps it was a personal thing, the right album at the right time for a struggling young artist wannabe. Perhaps I heard something others didn't.

If you haven't heard it, give it a listen on your preferred streaming service. Neither Fish Nor Flesh will impress 30 years on.

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