THE LADDER

Oh dear! Here we go again. Another Yes album that is, in some quarters, lauded to be 'the greatest thing' since their heyday. Unfortunately, this is another bland disappointment. As usual with Yes, the lyrics are nonsensical happy chappy things that simply come across as old hat now. The playing is competent, but unfortunately, the songs are not. Very modern, and certainly not worthy of being remotely compared with their 'classic' period, which began with 'Fragile' and ended with 'Going For The One'. The opener 'Homeworld' is tolerable, and the last track, 'Nine Voices' is actually quite enjoyable, easily my favourite on the album. But classic Yes this isn't. This is the updated cabaret version of the band. Too many musicians involved too. Believe me, if you are a Yes fan and looking for an album worthy to be in any way associated with their above mentioned 'classic' period, the only album they have released since 'Going For The One' that is a gallant effort in that direction is the excellent 'Keystudio', but people who already own the 'Keys To Ascension' albums will find those tracks their. This one isn't their worst, but it's far from being anywhere close to their best. Collectors only.