BIG GENERATOR

SHOOT HIGH, AIM LOW is a more apt title for this album. Whereas 90125 attempted to compromise the band's original progressive yearnings with the market-driven music industry of the 1980's, BIG GENERATOR tosses any thoughts of progressivity out of the window. The album is slickly-produced arena-rock, pure and simple, no better nor worse than Asia. Actually, worse, as there's not even the trappings of prog here. Nothing to distinguish it from say, an REO Speedwagon album. Yes, Anderson's unmistakable vocals are still there, but I get the distinct feeling he had very little say in the most un-Yes-like music.

"I'm Running" and the previously mentioned "Shoot High, Aim Low" are fairly pathetic attempts at placating their old fan-base; a brace of seven-plus-minute...things that meander with no real point, purpose or inspiration. The dated production muddles things even more. Quite possibly the band's artistic nadir: there's nothing here to offer fans of classic Yes. Nothing at all.