Three Fish
Three Fish

While rummaging through the dusty shelves of my trusted dealer some time ago, I unearthed this little gem, which came into my hands directly from the '90s. Dusty shelves are delightful places for those who have an allergy to "damned" dust mites, but faced with courage and boldness, they can offer substantial satisfaction; and the toughest battles are the ones you remember most fondly.

The story of this record begins at the end of 1995, during a transitional period for Pearl Jam (Ticketmaster, the end of the Grunge era, meeting Neil Young, and new musical directions), that is the home base of Jeff Ament. Right between the end of '95 and the early months of '96, Jeff puts together a side project, along with Robbi Rob (Tribe After Tribe) and Richard Stuverud (previously with Ament in Luv.Co. in 1990, and the Fastbacks). In particular, Ament and Robb met during the time of "Ten," when Tribe After Tribe was invited to open some shows for the Seattle band. The recording sessions took place in January '96, and the album, produced by John Goodsmanson (Bikini Kill and Pavement), was released in June of the same year.

As often happens, bands whose members already have substantial careers produce a "crossover" of genres dear to the individual members, ranging from ethnic influences close to the Tribe's productions to the energetic rock of Stuverud and Ament's bands. The result is an interesting project that, over time, becomes quite appreciable. The entire record is inspired by the works of Jalaluddin Rumi (Persian mystical poet and 13th-century Sufi master) and certain sixties psychedelia. The starting point of the tracklist is given by an aquatic and dusky piece, "Solitude." The acoustic dimension permeates the entire album. The rock of "Song for a Dead Girl" takes us back to a more classic taste. "Silence at the Bottom" could be a piece from Soundgarden's "Superunknown." The subsequent "Intelligent Fish" and "Zagreb" bring us back to acoustic and oriental sounds. "All Massed Up" is a seventies-style rock that wouldn't have been out of place in Pearl Jam's production, Robbi Rob's singing adds that tribal vein that makes the album's outcome absolutely fascinating. "Here in the Darkness," "The Half Intelligent Fish," and the exotic "Stranger in my Head" seem like tracks from the California of the '60s. The spiritual "Build" and "Secret Palace" evoke desert landscapes and Middle Eastern oases; "A Lovely Meander," the noise-like "Stupid Fish," and "Elusive Ones" return us to the noisy Northwestern USA scene, before the final credits are rolled with the wonderful "Laced." An acoustic ballad, closing more than worthily an album for which it was worth facing those delightful dusty shelves.