Top tracks — play these first
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The Field — This opening track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of life's complexities through intricate musical motifs and poignant lyrics that set the tone for the entire record.
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Moving Targets — The song features a dynamic interplay of rhythm and melody, showcasing Fish's storytelling ability while addressing themes of personal struggle and societal expectations.
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Old Crow — With its haunting melodies and reflective lyrics, this track stands out as a meditation on loss and nostalgia, illustrating Fish’s capacity to evoke deep emotions through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical themes and complex arrangements typical of neo-prog, though it lacks some cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build in intensity, culminating in 'Old Crow', which introduces a more reflective tone.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective journeys through sound
- richly layered sonic explorations
- patient unfolding of themes
- reflective moments of solitude
- immersive storytelling through melodies
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Field of Crows' was released in 2003, Fish had already established himself as a prominent figure in the neo-prog scene, following his departure from Marillion in the late 1980s. This album came after a string of successful solo releases and showcased his continued evolution as a lyricist and composer, building on the artistic foundations laid in previous records like 'Fellini Days'.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Marillion· Porcupine Tree· IQ
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Moving Targets
A shift in perspective occurs midway through, where the narrator addresses their own internal conflicts directly.
This moment breaks from a more detached narrative style used previously in the song, making the emotional stakes feel immediate and personal.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Field 8:46
- 2 Moving Targets 5:44
- 3 The Rookie 5:34
- 4 Zoo Class 5:25
- 5 The Lost Plot 5:17
- 6 Old Crow 5:22
- 7 Numbers 5:39
- 8 Exit Wound 5:59
- 9 Innocent Party 7:43
- 10 Shot the Craw 6:22
- 11 Scattering Crows 5:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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