FISH OUT OF WATER

After the "Relayer" tour YES took a prolonged break which gave plenty of time for each member to do a solo album. I'm surprised how much this record reminds me of YES, including Chris' higher pitched vocals. Some great guests on this one as well, especially Jimmy Hastings and Mel Collins who bring a different flavour than what YES offered us. The prominant bass is the highlight for me being a big Squire fan. "Lucky Seven" is my favourite by a wide margin.The negative for me is the orchestration. Why ? I guess I feel the same about double bass drumming and growling vocals. I can tolerate those three things but would enjoy the music so much more if they were absent. That's just my taste in music I guess.

"Hold Out Your Hand" is a good symphonic opener that brings YES to mind. Kind of catchy with prominant bass and good vocals. Unfortunately it ends with a big orchestra movement. Haha. "You By My Side" opens with vocals, piano and bass. It settles 1 1/2 minutes in when the vocals stop and Hastings comes in with his flute. A full sound with organ a minute later. And yes a big orchestral ending. Yesss ! "Silently Falling" opens with Classical music including aboe then flute comes in. Piano too then vocals before a minute. This is my second favourite song. Growly bass and drums after 1 1/2 minutes. Nice. A long instrumental interlude ends 6 1/2 minutes in. I really like the chorus 8 minutes in that comes and goes to the end.

"Lucky Seven" opens with keys and drums before sax and bass join in. Vocals follow. Love this tune. Check out the bass 3 1/2 minutes in. Collins impresses with his sax on this one too. This jazzy tune trumps the rest in my opinion. "Safe (Canon Song)" opens with more classical orchestration before it settles with vocals. Chunky bass 3 minutes in. Another calm 5 1/2 minutes with flute and strings. More strings after 8 1/2 minutes. I like the sax and deep bass though. Piano and orchestral sounds come in and over stay their welcome quickly, although it goes on and on until 13 1/2 minutes in.

I would love to hear this with no orchestration and maybe some lead guitar instead.