What makes Fish Out of Water by Chris Squire notable?

Fish Out of Water received critical acclaim upon its release, particularly for its ambitious structure and musicianship. It peaked at number 36 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it one of the more successful solo albums from members of Yes, thus solidifying Squire's reputation as a formidable musician in his own right. Released in 1975, Fish Out of Water marked Chris Squire's first solo album after establishing himself as the bassist of the iconic progressive rock band Yes. This album came at a time when Squire was exploring personal artistic expression beyond the confines of his group identity, allowing him to experiment with a broader range of sounds and styles.

How many songs are on Fish Out of Water?

Fish Out of Water has 5 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Released 51 years ago this November

Fish Out of Water

Chris Squire · 1975

41 min · 5 tracks · progressive rock

A lush tapestry of progressive rock blending intricate bass lines with symphonic arrangements and poignant vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hold Out Your Hand — This opening track introduces listeners to Squire's melodic sensibilities and sets the tone for the entire album with its rich harmonies and engaging lyrics.
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Silently Falling — As the longest track on the album, this song showcases Squire's ability to weave complex musical themes into an emotional narrative, highlighting his compositional depth.
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Safe (Canon Song) — The closing track features an expansive arrangement that culminates in a powerful orchestral climax, encapsulating the album's overall journey and leaving a lasting impression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and strong musicianship, making it a notable entry in progressive rock.

What we noticed

The album features five tracks, each exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended instrumental passages and complex arrangements.
Squire's bass lines are prominent throughout, often driving the melodies while being complemented by lush orchestral strings and harmonies.
The final track incorporates a choral arrangement that builds gradually, creating a climactic finish that contrasts with the more subdued earlier pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Hold Out Your Hand 4:13
2 You by My Side 5:03
3 Silently Falling 11:12
4 Lucky Seven 6:55
5 Safe (Canon Song) 14:33

What to play next

Listen next

Chris Squire's Swiss Choir

2007

Full Chris Squire discography Artists like Chris Squire

progressive rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata