SYNDESTRUCTIBLE

2.5 stars, really... I was fortunate enough to catch these guys in a small club recently, small enough to say hi to Chris, Steve and Alan (White!) afterwards. For the nostalgia factor this was a great show. Now as far as this new CD, well there is nothing offensive here that sticks out and sounds bad. It is tasteful and restrained throughout, possibly too restrained. Chris plays in the pocket, never really standing out like he does with Yes, though his unmistakable tone and musicality can be clearly heard. Nardelli is not a bad singer, especially when you consider that he hasn't fronted a band in 40 years. What annoys me most about this music is the god-awful lyrical content. Just one cliche after another, really. I mean, this stuff makes the lyrics on Open Your Eyes seem brilliant. And as good as Chris' backing vocals are, the words he sings kind of ruin the effect. All in all, the music comes across as dull and boring, thought as I said before well played and nothing really too cheesy or hideous. I guess the word that describes it is "insipid". Now if they got Peter Banks (the original guitarist) onboard, and maybe Tony Kaye on keys, maybe they could have helped jump start this thing. There is nothing here you haven't heard before, trust me. Good/non-essential/for collectors and fans only = 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because I'm a Yes fanboy.