90125

This album is quite a change for Yes. Again they learned a thing or two from King Crimson and just like their peers; they successfully assimilated the 80's knack for writing catchy pop music that was not only accessible but also very innovative and intelligent.

The style changes are huge: concise songs that are to the point, catchy guitar licks, unobtrusive keyboards and groovy rock drumming. Not very Yes right? Well I don't know. If you haven't listened to Yes for a few good years and then go chronologically through their albums (for example in order to come up with some reviews for this demanding site...), it is surprising how very much Yes this record actually sounds! Yes it does. Both the rich melodic vocals of Jon Anderson and the rumbling bass of Chris Squire are solidly in place. Even the guitar sounds very Yes. (Please note I don't mean the style of playing, but that sharp dry sound).

But of course that won't convince any of the 70's Yes fans that were disappointed with the album. I suppose they don't (or don't want to) hear all the excellent and focussed songwriting here. It sounds like bashing the album because it isn't prog and reached such a huge audience outside the normal gang of starship troopers, who probably felt the band wasn't 'theirs' anymore.

Whatever you make of it, there sure must be an explanation why this album is so badly appreciated. It certainly can't be due to the good music that is on it. Sure there's no Heart of The Sunrise or Roundabout type of quality here, but as an album this is my favorite from them.