OPEN YOUR EYES

The fifteenth studio album by YES (or seventeenth if we count the studio album parts of Keys to Ascension 1 and 2), with a new line up. Billy Sherwood takes over role as keyboardist in most of the tracks; while other tracks had the keyboard contribution from Steve Porcaro (of Toto) and Igor Khorosev.

Even I am a huge fan of YES, it is difficult for me to enjoy this album. Vocal harmony is the last great quality that remains in this album. Track like 'Fortune Seller' has a good and fluid typical Chris Squire's bassline. There are few here and there good guitar works by Steve Howe and Billy Sherwood. 'Somehow Someday' has a nice typical Anderson ? Howe duet in the last quarter of the song, 'Wonderlove' still has a signature guitar style of Steve Howe. The title track has a nice upbeat tempo and good interlude (even it sounds a bit techno-pop) but it is not enough memorable for a progressive rock fans in my opinion.

The last track 'The Solution / The Source' has a long recording hours, but only the first 5 minutes that contains a full band track. There is a 2-minute of silence before the second part ('The Source') which consists of nature sounds and compilation of vocal section of several tracks in the album. Strange concept that to me does not give any artistic added value.

Difficult album to rate among YES discography, it is way too pop-oriented, with shallow song and composition writing. 'Fortune Teller' is my only pick from this album, as it still to me retains the YES sound and passion. Well .. every great band has its own lowest point and least favourite album, and for YES this might be the one.