Eddie Van Halen said that "You only do a solo project if you can't express yourself within your own band." Jeff Ament, Pearl Jam bassist, might agree. He formed Three Fish so he could work with vocalist and guitarist Robbie Robb, to have a chance to play other instruments and even do some vocals. Life in Pearl Jam does not allow role-switching. This isn't rigidity for its own sake; Pearl Jam musicians are so good that it's hard to take over someone else's role and do a great job.
In the fall of 1993, Ament and Robb came together when Robb's band Tribe After Tribe opened for Pearl Jam. The third fish is Richard Stuverud on drums. Fifteen songs, a record deal and one album later, Ament is on tour with Three Fish playing bass, guitar and djembe. Robb handles guitar and lead vocals; and, no, he doesn't sound like Eddie Vetter. Ament has really satisfied his reasons for going outside the Pearl Jam circle and doing a solo project. The album is Three Fish, and it's good - could be better, but it's a good one. One problem is that there are some strange styles thrown into the mix: sixties mysticism, Middle Eastern influences, 70's Brit rock, and a touch of grunge. The entire album has a melancholy, moody vibe. Some standouts are at the ends with "Solitude" as the opening track and "Laced" (first single and video) as the final one. Robb's voice is equal to the songs, and the other two fish play their parts with style. A questionable decision was the band's inclusion of the parable of the three fish (an intelligent one, a half-intelligent one, and a stupid fish), containg spoken words with musical backing, on three tracks spread over the album. Unfortunately, the parable is jarring and affects the album's spell and continuity. Listening to the album several times without a disc player that can program out the parable tracks is a challenge.
Aside from the parable, the music is good! Pearl Jam fans will want this one as Ament is as well known to them through Vedder. He doesn't disappoint. Some good alternative music here for the rest of us, as well.
