90125

As most Yes fans are aware, this was not originally intended to be 'Yes' album. After Drama, the band was pretty much finished. Squire and White formed a short-lived group with Jimmy Page called XYZ; Steve Howe joined Asia; Jon Anderson was making albums with Vangelis. At some point Squire and White got together with original Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye and Jon Anderson to form a new group. Hooking up with relatively unknown South African-born musician Trevor Rabin, they decided to call this new group Cinema. The record company had the bright idea that they could sell more copies if the album was labelled as a 'Yes' album. The album title of course being a reference to the album's catalogue number.

Basically this album is a mix of '80s pop/rock with hard rock guitars. The only song remotely prog is the short instrumental "Cinema" which I think was recorded at a rehearsal. "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" was the groups biggest hit, but it has been overplayed. I always thought "It Can Happen" was the best song here. Nice sitar and bass playing. Love the instrumental section with the talking and guitar solo. "Changes" has an interesting beginning with the xylophone or whatever. Then it goes straight into '80s pop/rock. "Leave It" is the most poppy and '80s sounding song. Never liked it. The synths at the beginning of "Our Song" make me feel like I'm watching a special on the Olympics or something. "City Of Love" is one of my favourites from 90125. Love the mid-paced hard rock groove. Good chorus.

An average '80s rock album that has not aged very well. If you are a fan of Yes, you either already have this album or will get it in the future. The music here has more in common with Asia or '80s Genesis than it does with anything Yes did in the '70s. Barely any prog elements whatsoever. 90125 gets 2.5 rounded down to 2 stars.