KEYS TO ASCENSION

I must admit up front that this mostly live album is very hard to judge. Yes, it has some of their best songs, Yes, it's very well played by all and Yes, Jon does some fantastic singing. Yet, those two new songs just drag it down to death. "Be the One" is just plain boring with a lackluster and plodding beat. I'm not the biggest fan of Jon's lyrics, especially when they're as sappy as in this particular song. But it's "That, That Is" which gets the absolute lowest marks. Minister Jon and his pontificating is unbearable. I can deal with the metaphysical Yes lyrics as much as the next Yes fan, but when the lyrics try to be updated and, (choke) urban-themed, well you just crossed over the line to cheeseville. Oh, the song starts out extremely well for about 4 minutes with Howe's beautiful acoustic guitar playing which is joined by a very original techno-like beat but at about the 4 minute mark the beat changes and we head into the abyss. Honestly, you have to hear the lyrics to believe it. I think it's the worst lyrics written by Jon ever....UGH! The music itself is a hodgepodge with no melody that hooks you in. It's pretty much a patchwork style epic with only the beginning to brag about. So, for all those who are thinking about purchasing this disc, get it mainly for the great live selection, especially to hear "The Revealing Science Of God" which Jon sings wonderfully, and the fantastic version of "Starship Trooper" with Wakeman's great keyboard assault towards the end. But, when you get to the new songs, listen once, then never again.