MIRROR TO THE SKY

YES , yes YES has just released a 22nd studio album with just the veteran HOWE of the 1st hour. Billy and Geoff faithful to the position as well as Jon whose voice can have an effect for who does not know the stories of line-up changes. Let's see what it's all about.

1. Cut from the Stars Rondo violin intro, good why not, just to score; the riff is YES, that of the 80's OK but also mid-70; Jon gives voice, it looks like...Jon; the bass same observation; much better than the CIRCA, YOSO or other de facto projects; the voice mixes nicely with the instruments, good point it then goes on a swirling Yessian declination and guitar-synth solos still just as fresh 2. All Connected languorous intro, borderline spleen, symphonic, not pompous, musical; a search to give a bit of new blood to a group that remains faithful to its 'sound', no matter what people say; 90's era with old reminiscences and the will or not to do prog since they are part of the basic dinos; well it drifts on a consensual tune with an instrumental mix to which it will take several listenings to find the musical thread, isn't that the goal in fact? Final with this melting slide solo that does not leave insensitive, short excellent Yessian title 3. Luminosity and a second 9 minutes with the soft rock prog intro; quickly disappointed by the fact of a Christmas nursery rhyme ballad as Jon Anderson did; consensual, lacking in pep and it's not the beautiful melodic, orchestral declination, always in slide effect, which will transcend the title. 4. Living Out Their Dream tumbles on a tune à la Collins, à ASIA with a country sound interspersed with Howiens arpeggios; the more monotonous voice is reminiscent of an ersatz of YES, which I review; well that's good but nothing more, the creation is not appropriate except the guitar fight between Howe and Howe; title that is used more. 5. Mirror to the Sky with the eponymous piece, the one we expect given the duration; it starts strong, beautiful fruity, energetic riff, Billy showing his paw; the intro continues on a modern Yessian space worthy of the 80s at a time when prog was dying and had to reinvent itself; the slap in any case; 3 minutes and a chorus 'Machine Messiah' then a nice bucolic couplet, melodic above all; mid-term break I hope for the group something great, yes even a fan I know how to stay neutral and not expect too much as I read too often; Steve shows that he has a good touch and that it is important in a group; the break goes on, symphonic, latent, wait-and-see, yessian, that suits me; he insists on a spleen vibratory sound of very beautiful effect, the drum rolls in the distance increase this feeling even more; soft, intimate, progressive, very good with a bit of 'Drama', Awakeen' in the background and symphonic violins which mark the bucolic finale, a cinematic genre of a revisited 'Lord of the Rings', in short excellent. 6. Circles of Time ends the album with a soft acoustic nursery rhyme, like its marshmallow; pleasant without more but where the guitar is well highlighted. In short, the time to tell yourself that there are big nuggets in this album and very consensual pieces too.

A CD bonus exists and offers 1. Unknown Make way for the enigmatic title, I listen quickly for fun (5 mini listenings anyway); the intro which takes time after the choirs is meant to be soft pop rock and disturbs a little with the lively choir; 2 voices here ok without more, ah the break from the 3 minutes with enjoyable synth solo yes it's not just Steve, that causes there; a little bluesy, a tad energetic western-jazzy; 5 minutes and a second Yessian break which immediately makes the hair stand on end protruding, of the church organ which heats up, Steve which arrives behind and one of the most beautiful Yessian pieces for decades; the slap that will silence the grumpy grump 2. One Second Is Enough intro organ for a typical title putting Jon and Steve forward for a rhythmic ballad with banjo solo; well it's on the bonus it can be explained, reminiscences of Yessian melodic titles and the last solo for the pleasure of passing time 3. Magic Potion for a title of 'The cruise has fun', a title where Steve still puts himself in front of the stage, a consensual title that is beautiful but without too much real soul, especially given the titles

YES would have made a superb album with the 'Unknown Place' in addition and a 'Living' in less for example, it is said; otherwise we hear the musical quality and the snippets of majestic compositions on certain tracks, too good and which hide and lower the level of the others; but it's not bad at all though and my time was magnified during this column. (3.5)