UNION

So many claim Open Your Eyes was Yes's worst output; I have to disagree. Union holds that dishonor. Not only is the music all over the place ("directionless pop" maybe?), but the lyrics are ridiculously lame. Why this album is called what it is I'll never understand; instead of blending as a massive amalgamation of Yes past and present, there's just a bunch of songs recorded by various members of Yes (I suppose the former possibility could have conceivably been an even more incoherent disaster). One can clearly determine which guitarist is on board on each song, for instance. This is one instance of too many cooks in the kitchen. Even master Tony Levin gets involved in this effort as a leftover from the ABWH sessions

"I Would Have Waited Forever" An explosion of vocals introduces a busy but almost purposeless arrangement. The layers of vocals are almost ludicrous and make it difficult to focus on anything. The guitar and bass riffs finish the song wonderfully, but (thankfully) bear no relation to what came prior.

"Shock to the System" Gritty 1980s pop music is the best way to sum this up (think Michael Jackson at his peak). Take away Jon Anderson's vocals, and perhaps Steve Howe's guitar, and this is indistinguishable from the pop-rock prevalent of that time- Paula Abdul could have had a hit with this one.

"Masquerade" It is unfortunate the highlight of the album is a Howe solo piece, performed gracefully as ever on a hearty twelve-string guitar.

"Lift Me Up" This is a solid rocker with some progressive metal leanings courtesy of Trevor Rabin, and is very close to the music from Big Generator.

"Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day" Softer synthesizer and Anderson's voice begin this one. After the introduction, the nondescript, junky rock takes over, and I find myself staring out the window every time I hear it (which is why I don't drive while listening to this album). Howe's spectacular guitars (reminiscent of the build in "Turn of the Century") are the only saving grace of this song.

"Saving My Heart" Rabin struts his stuff with his screaming guitar, but does over one of the goofiest musical backdrops I've ever heard from Yes.

"Miracle of Life" Take what could have been a very good instrumental and add some absurdly unfitting vocal arrangements, and that's what this is. The vocals just needed to be different, and this would have been a top piece of music. Tony Kaye's keyboards are a great aspect of this song, giving it some vintage flavor. Chris Squire also sounds more like himself on bass, and the drumming of Alan White is clear and powerful.

"Silent Talking" Aside from the silly electronic drums of Bill Bruford, this is an interesting piece of music, particularly with Howe on deck. Again, the echoing vocal work of Anderson "doesn't ring true," and once more I would have preferred it if this were an instrumental, especially in light of Rick Wakeman's excellent keyboard additions.

"More We Live / Let Go" 1980s percussion and synthesizer mixed with lyrics like "You and I can change the world" and "all we need is just to believe in ourselves" make me recoil in terror that a band like Yes could come to such a place in their careers. On a positive note, Squire's vocals are always welcome, and they work well alongside Rabin's even cleaner voice.

"Angkor Wat" Glittery synthesizer and Anderson's vocals go together for this more pensive track. His inflections, though, make me think of Sting singing with The Police. Something about this song, however, reminds me of very early Yes, which featured Anderson's lonely voice instead of an army of vocals.

"Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For)" Here is another funky pop-rock track in the vein of "Shock to the System" Janet Jackson should have been handed this number, and that's that. Okay, that's not that: The old hip-hop percussion and the singing of "mmm" is one of the most terrible things I've ever heard.

"Holding On" An applause is due to Levin for his powerful bass performance on this track, and Anderson's convicting vocals for once do not sound ridiculous. This song is nothing special, but is pretty okay.

"Evensong" Here is a brief but beautiful piece of music with Wakeman's keyboards and Bruford's percussion.

"Take the Water to the Mountain" A New Age but soothing track, Anderson's vocals sound pleasant with the surrounding washes of music, and none of it sounds so obtrusive. Still, there's nothing particularly excellent here.