FLY FROM HERE

While I have always been a huge Yes fan,having seen them in concert over thirty times in all of their incarnations over the years,I have not always loved everything they've ever done.I'm not nuts about the Rabin stuff and did not care for Drama all that much.When I heard about the upcoming album I sort of expected another Drama kind of thing and did not hold any high hopes for this album.I am delighted to freely admit that I was wrong.Yes have produced a gem of an album which in my opinion stands with some of the best of their work. I truly believe that this album will appeal to fans as well as new listeners across the board.My first impression upon hearing '' Fly From Her'' was that this is a band that sounds revitalized despite the fact that like me,they are a bunch of old guys [mostly].The music has a fresh young feel to it but at the same time comes across as tasteful,confident and sophisticated.Benoit David is an excellent choice as lead vocalist and can sound like Anderson when necessary but has his own distinct vocal style which stands on it's own and adds something beautiful to the familiar Yes sound.[By the way the harmonies on this album are among the best I've ever heard from Yes]. The musicianship of course is top notch and the great Steve Howe is in peak form as expected. "Fly From Here" suite , may not be "Close to the Edge" or "Awaken" but it is however a gorgeous piece of music which seems to be almost cinematic in content,conjuring images of some sort of spy movie plot or something along those lines.{I can't quite put my finger on it but it's somehow evocative]. I'm not sure that it's the best piece on the album but it sure is close. "The Man You Always Wanted Me To Be" is a charming highly likable pop piece sung beautifully by Chris Squire who also penned this tune and has always had a great way with lyrics .A really sweet song. "Life on a Film Set" is equally catchy with a slightly more intense feel to it as well as a bit more of a serious flavour.Beautifully played and sung. "Hour of Need" is one of the top three songs on this album though it is the shortest piece.Starting out with a "And You And I" like short guitar intro,when the vocals kick in you would swear that Jon Anderson was brought in to harmonize on this song.Short,sweet and totally classic Yes is the sound of this tune. "Solitaire" is an acoustic Steve Howe piece and is just perfect.No one plays like Howe,period. "Into the Storm" is the closing piece and is the most rocking song on the album.It is also,in my opinion the other best song on the album.Again beautiful harmonies and perfectly played.This song could have been twice as long and still would have been too short. ''Fly From Here'' is a wonderful album which contains not one bad moment. My only gripe is that it is far too short and is one of those albums you do not want to end.I can hardly wait for their next work and can only hope that it's a double album.Due to the fact that "Close to the Edge' and "Relayer" exist,I cannot rate this five stars,so,four and a half is my rating.This album belongs in your collection.