Top tracks — play these first
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What Colour Is God? — This track stands out for its contemplative exploration of faith and belief systems, combining lyrical depth with an expansive musical arrangement that highlights Fish's vocal prowess.
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Change of Heart — With its poignant reflection on love and vulnerability, this song features a memorable melody that encapsulates the emotional core of the album.
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Sunsets on Empire — The title track serves as a thematic culmination of the album, weaving rich imagery with a sweeping instrumental backdrop that showcases Fish's storytelling ability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases ambitious compositions and dynamic shifts, solidifying Fish's identity as a solo artist.
What we noticed
- The album features several tracks that shift dramatically in tempo and mood, with 'Change of Heart' transitioning from a slow ballad to an energetic climax.
- The lyrics often explore philosophical themes, as seen in 'What Colour Is God?' which combines introspective storytelling with dynamic instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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6/10
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
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
- introspective reflections on life
- captivating narratives across tracks
- engaging storytelling through music
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1997, Sunsets on Empire is Fish's fourth solo album, coming after his successful 1994 album, Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors. At this point, he was solidifying his identity as a solo artist following his departure from Marillion, showcasing a more personal and mature songwriting style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Marillion· Porcupine Tree· IQ
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Perception of Johnny Punter 8:36
- 2 Goldfish & Clowns 6:36
- 3 Change of Heart 3:41
- 4 What Colour Is God? 5:50
- 5 Tara 5:11
- 6 Jungle Ride 7:33
- 7 Worm in a Bottle 6:23
- 8 Brother 52 6:05
- 9 Sunsets on Empire 6:54
- 10 Say It With Flowers 4:19
- 11 Do Not Walk Outside This Area 6:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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