What does it sound like?:
Yes have always been a band to divide music fans, and indeed to divide Yes fans. They are a group that has seen a constant stream of line-up changes and each one has pleased and dismayed the band’s followers in equal numbers. This album is a re-make of the 2011 release with a twist. Originally produced by Trevor Horn with a line up of Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White and Geoff Downes and former Yes-tribute act singer Benoit David on vocals, this version is a re-mix with all new vocals from Horn. There is one new song, and revised artwork from the iconic Roger Dean.
It sounds like later Yes – mellow, clever prog-ish rock with complex un-obvious arrangements, some great playing and a few killer melodies. The emphasis is on shorter songs, rather than the long extended pieces of the “Close to the Edge” era. The lyrics make more sense than on many Yes albums, but at times are a bit worthy and clunky.
It sounds very “produced”, as one might expect from Trevor Horn – it’s intricate and clever, but rarely surprising and there’s no edge to it. Especially disappointing is Chris Squire’s bass which is generally way down in the mix. Horn’s vocals are ok, but a bit passionless.
What does it all *mean*?
An interesting idea to re-mix an album and re-do all of the vocals. Benoit David was not popular with Yes diehards, many of whom also hated Horn’s vocals compared to founder Jon Anderson’s. The extra song, extended liner notes from Horn and the new artwork will attract many.
It is unlikely to win Yes many new fans and if you didn’t like the 2011 version, this is better, but not a game changer.
Goes well with…
a good hi-fi…..
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
“Drama”, “90125”, The Buggles, FM radio friendly prog rock…..
An interesting idea, and I actually prefer this version to the original – sort of a very belated follow up to the vastly underrated Drama album.
Just to mention the album is reissued this coming week as a cd / bluray set with half a dozen bonus tracks and an Atmos mix. One of the better latter day Yes albums.
Would love to have an Atmos Mix of Drama, which has the same line up and is often unjustly overlooked in the Yes canon.
I didn’t think much of the original release, but will give this a listen if it is on Spotify.
As for “They are a group that has seen a constant stream of line-up changes and each one has pleased and dismayed the band’s followers in equal numbers”…. I’d say the dismayed would be in the majority, especially in recent years!
Yes.
The Yes.
The No Thank You I’ve Given Up.
Considering Jon Anderson is a Northerner, upon joining he should have insisted they changed their name to Aye.
Aye
The Aye
Nah, drop The The.
I got into Yes retrospectively whilst a teenager. I caught up with ‘Fragile’, ‘The Yes Album’ and ‘Close to the Edge’ and loved them but my favourite was- and always has been- their self-titled debut. Crunchy and punchy and quite soulful at times. The first ‘real-time’ Yes release I bought was ‘Going for the One’.
Being dreadful it was also the last.
There was me thinking your nom de plume was a tribute to Eddie Offord,