BIG GENERATOR

It's?fine. There's nothing too egregious here, but it's mostly inoffensive, big-sounding 80s rock. There's a more extensive use of group vocals on this album than its predecessor, and the title track has some surprisingly odd moments. "Shoot High, Aim Low" is another relative strong point on the album, with its droning synth and organ and methodical pace. The guitar solo is pure '80s cheese, though in the bad way.

Big Generator also has its share of unspectacular moments. "Almost Like Love" is so corny it could have been grown in Iowa. It has that signature awful synth brass sound the '80s were renowned for, and Jon Anderson's rapid-fire vocal delivery feels like an aging band trying desperately to stay hip. "Love Will Find a Way" is another weak point on the album. It feels half-assed, and the group vocals sound weirdly thin and washed out. There's also a terribly out-of-place harmonica bit. I don't care how much Yes changes their sound; they're not the kind of band that can use a harmonica.

The album closes fairly strong. "Final Eyes" harkens back to some of the sounds off Olias of Sunhillow or the softer moments on Going for the One at points. "I'm Running" is the best song on the album. It's the only one that feels artistic or ambitious in any way.

Big Generator is perfectly adequate. It's generic, and even its worst moments are more aggressively inoffensive than actually bad. If you like super-generic, glossy, 1980s-style stadium rock, you'd probably like this album.

Review originally posted here: theeliteextremophile.com/2019/03/24/deep-dive-yes/