THE LADDER

YES was quite prolific in the second part of the 90s as they come back with a new CD in 1999 ''THE LADDER''. So what do expect this time? the same line up than on ''OPEN YOUR EYES'' is back, not great news, but now they have added a great keyboradist, the Russisn IGOR KHOROSHEV who fits very well on the stool of RICK WAKEMAN. On the other side, ROGER DEAN artwork is back and that might be a good sign!! but i guess we can't have both again together, DEAN cover design and the classic logo.

The band was told by their producer to release the best YESmusic they can, and actually they did, or at least tried.This CD was an excellent surprise for me, the compositions are far better than the studio songs on KTA 2. No more AOR songs, only YESmusic with some twists like the,,,,,,,carribean ''lightning strikes'', kind of a Led ZEP ''D'YER MARKER'' to YES. The best song is of course the first track, the 10mn long ''Homeworld'' a true YESepic well in the tradition of the glorious 70s masterpieces. They still can compose great stuff when they want.Maybe at their advanced age, they realize they won't hit again the top 40. This is time to please the real old YESfans.Hopefully!!

Not everything is perfect,like ''face to face'' of course not, but i think we are as YESfans too much demanding and it's time for us to enjoy the recent releases the way they are, very decent albums from one of our favorite band. Nothing can be compared to CTTE anyway, so let's try to have a good time with ''If only you knew'' or ''New language'' .d the

Overall a very pleasnt album from beginning to end; JON ANDERSON is just being JON ANDERSON not trying overdoing himself, Billy SHERWOOD is not too much in the front and the new keyboardist is very, very good! RICK who??

This is YES in 1999; 1972 was long time ago!! Enjoy now!!!!

4 stars for a very good album,

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