BIG GENERATOR

The often maligned _Big Generator_ is an underrated Yes gem. I have always enjoyed Jon Anderson's contributions to Mike Oldfield's mid-80's period albums and this is no different, really. Points of reference for _Big Generator_ would be song structures in the vein of Rush's _Hold Your Fire_ or _Power Windows_, Saga's _A Beginner's Guide To Throwing Shapes_, non-radio tracks from the first ASIA album and the better tracks from Yes _90125_ such as Hearts, Cinema, Changes and Leave It. Yes seem to be more assertive on this album, whereas 90125 sounded like an uneasy experiment not unlike Tormato(although, 90125 had a few hits). A return to form with an '80s bent with longer tracks such as Final Eyes (6:20), I'm Running (7:34) and Shoot High Aim Low(7:59) creating the kind of ethreal prog.rock ambiance form the Yes album _Going For The One_ or Jon Anderson's _Olias of Sunhillow_. BIG GENERATOR doesn't sound quite as dated as TORMATO or 90125...but generally fits right in with Yes albums such as _Talk_ and _The Ladder_. Yes are doing as Yes does here...writing excellent melodic rock. It has its proggy moments, and of course it's no _Close To The Edge_, but the songwriting is very strong. Going out on a limb here - but this could be THE Yes neo-prog album and it's as strong as anything Marillion, Pendragon, IQ, Saga or Rush were putting out at the time. Give it another try. 3.5 stars!