Top tracks — play these first
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Big Wedge — The opening track sets an ambitious tone with its dynamic shifts and introspective lyrics about disillusionment, showcasing Fish's theatrical style.
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Credo — This song offers a powerful narrative on belief and identity, highlighted by intricate instrumentation that reflects the album's neo-prog roots.
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Fortunes of War — 'Fortunes of War' stands out with its epic length and profound commentary on conflict, blending emotive lyricism with sweeping melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Fish's lyrical depth and musical complexity but lacks some cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that showcase the band's musicianship, particularly in 'A Gentleman’s Excuse Me' and 'State of Mind'.
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- theatrical storytelling through music
- reflective moments for personal connection
- cathartic build-ups and releases
- engaging narratives in each track
- long-form listening for immersion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy musical journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1998, Fish had firmly established himself as a solo artist following his departure from Marillion in the early '90s. 'Kettle of Fish' came three years after his previous album, 'Raingods with Zippos', showcasing his continued evolution as a songwriter and performer while solidifying his signature sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Marillion· Porcupine Tree· IQ
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Big Wedge 5:19
- 2 Just Good Friends 5:47
- 3 Brother 52 6:05
- 4 Chasing Miss Pretty 4:52
- 5 Credo 6:41
- 6 A Gentleman’s Excuse Me 4:19
- 7 Goldfish and Clowns 6:38
- 8 Lady Let It Lie 4:12
- 9 Lucky 4:58
- 10 State of Mind 4:46
- 11 Mr Buttons 4:36
- 12 Fortunes of War 7:54
- 13 Internal Exile 4:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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