UNION

I have to confess that I'm a fan. I like almost everything the YES and relatives have done so this is probably why I like also this very underrated album. I don't think it's so bad. The only one which didn't do anything for me is Big Generator and Union for me is far better.

Regardless all the discussions about vegetables (Onion), production overdubbings and members unsatisfaction (Howe and Wakeman mainly), this is not too different from ABWH, also because that lineup was ready for the second album, but also the tracks from the western side of YES are everything but bad.

I can understand the disappointment of some fans for the pop side of the band, but nobody can pretend that YES can release something like Close to the Edge at the end of the 80s.

The album lacks of continuity, but if you don't consider Anderson, this is effectively a compilation of two different bands so it couldn't have been different.

Songs like "I Would Have Waited Forever" and "Lift Me Up" are a bit commercial, but commercial doesn't always mean "bad". There's some weak moment, but in the end it's a standard YES album, not too different from TALK that has a far better rating on PA. I think what makes Union different is the presence of Jon with both the lineups. In some points the album sounds more like one of Jon Anderson's solos (which I usually like).

I also had the opportunity to be at one of the gigs of the Union tour. It was really better than the ABWH tour of one or two years before. The YES are one of the few bands which didn't have a big fall in the 80s like others did. Union closes that decade in a decent way and even if non- essential it's still a good album.