FLY FROM HERE

Easily my favorite Yes album next to Relayer and Close to the Edge. No apologies no matter how much controversy I might stir up here. The most proggy and 70's styled album in decades. I had no way of ever complaining who was on the album and who wasn't. And being a fan of Canadas Neo-Prog gem, Mystery I have even less to complain about. Benoit David is the best voice for this album. The Trevor Horn version released more recently doesn't hold a candle to the original. The music is solid and enjoyable and the epic title track is one of my favorite Yes moments to date.

Howes guitar solos, especially the acoustic ones are just brilliant. They bring in a really mature Classical approach you wish represented all modern Yes albums. The late Chris Squire gives us a great farewell performance. Allan Whites drums are so memorable I have them stuck in my head more than any other album he ever played on. He really matches the rhythm of the other musicians on this album. Geoff and Oliver both on keyboards and man does this album benefit from having 2 keyboard players like Saga albums of old.

Many will compare this album to Drama or Age of Plastic from The Buggles. I don't hear much resemblance to either. In fact it sounds very laid back in places and very complex and well crafted at the same time. One huge epic and an array of mellow short songs. It actually reminds me of early 70's Pink Floyd in that regard. It's very authentic sounding to 70's Prog and somewhat like a really good Glass Hammer album being modern but giving you a taste of retro Prog.

I do find it a bit humorous that the opening guitar riff makes you think that this album might be going in a Symphonic Metal direction while the rest of the entire album is nothing of the sort. It had me fooled on my first listen years ago. While I have always been far more a 70's Genesis fan this album blows anything away Genesis ever did post Steve Hackett. This album brought back everything I could have hoped for in a modern Yes album. And once again I'm not complaining about the lineup that really delivers on this album.