90125

90125 was an accidental Yes album. Yes had been disbanded in 1981 and Chris Squire and Alan White had met up with South African guitarist Trevor Rabin in 1982 and recorded songs for an album under the name of "Cinema." Former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye, who had been fired in 1971, joined Cinema. When Squire played some of the material to Jon Anderson in 1983, Anderson became interested in the project. With four former Yes members in the band, it was decided to use the Yes brand on this album. Rabin was dubious at first as he did not want to be known as Steve Howe's replacement (Howe was with Asia at the time), but rather wanted to be the lead guitarist of a new group. Rabin changed his mind when Anderson added lyrics and his distinctive vocal style to the existing tracks. Besides, it would have more marketability under the Yes brand name.

So, 90125 was not originally intended to be a Yes album as it sounds nothing like Yes, with the exception of Anderson's voice. Thus, it seems unfair to compare it with earlier Yes works. Rabin has a completely different guitar style from Howe and Squire takes a more relaxed approach to bass on this album. Instead of the complex bass riffs of the past, he basically imitates the typical bassist one would hear on an average AOR song.

Judging 90125 on its own merits and not comparing it to any prior Yes album, I'm left with the conclusion that this is simply a pop rock/AOR collection of songs with some showing prog tendencies. If one does compare this to previous Yes works, it easily ranks as the worst Yes album in their career up to that point. However, as a pop rock album, it's not bad. Hearts and Changes are really nicely done. But as a progressive rock effort, two stars is as high as I will go. For collectors and fans only. Even Yes fans might want to avoid unless they are completionists.