Yes West (Rabin Era)

Don't have many fond memories of this Yes simply because it led to their decline musically.  90125 was a good album for its time, but I don't think it holds up as well as their classic stuff nowadays.  And the stuff they did after 90125 was pretty forgettable, except for a few tracks on Talk.  Then again, I didn't get into Yes until about 1993 when I heard Yessongs for the first time, so I guess I'm a bit biased (I also don't have the nostalgia for the 80's stuff to make me biased the other way).

Edited by Gianthogweed - March 06 2007 at 22:28

StyLaZyn wrote: yarstruly wrote: I actually think Talk is the best Yes-West album.  Endless Dream is an epic on par with most Classic Yes (IMHO) and The Calling, Real Love, Where Will You Be, and State of Play are wonderful songs...Even the obviously commercial Walls has a great hook! I don't find a weak track anywhere on Talk!  It was the last Yes-West album to survive in the tourney as well....   Hmmm...I need to dig out that CDand listen again.

Gianthogweed wrote: Don't have many fond memories of this Yes simply because it led to their decline musically.  90125 was a good album for its time, but I don't think it holds up as well as their classic stuff nowadays.  And the stuff they did after 90125 was pretty forgettable, except for a few tracks on Talk.  Then again, I didn't get into Yes until about 1993 when I heard Yessongs for the first time, so I guess I'm a bit biased (I also don't have the nostalgia for the 80's stuff to make me biased the other way).   Nevertheless, I can't blame their decline entirely on Rabin.  The classic lineup hasn't been much better in recent years, and Rabin was kind of swindled, since it was more his band, and then it became Yes, so I have some sympathy for the abuse he took from older fans.  He is a very talented guitarist and songwriter, but Yes needs Steve Howe.  Also, doesn't Trevor's voice sound a little like the "Real Men of Genius" guy?

I was thinking he sounded like the original singer of Survivor.

Actually, those spots are genius. Great campaign.

E

Way too boring and generic IMO.....although I like Leave It quite a bit


Edited by Zac M - March 07 2007 at 00:16

They had some good stuff actually: Leave it, Shoot high, The Calling, Real love. I even like some of their cheesier stuff like Hearts and Love will find a way (though i am a bit embarassed to admit it). However, I find Endless dream a bit boring, except for the instrumental parts, and the songs on Union were awful, especially Lift me up, I rather prefer some of the (almost) classic line-up songs there. In the end, I tend to believe 90125 was their finest effort, but in no way comparable to albums like Relayer, CttE, and even Drama.

Just like to add my opinion that Big Generator is a GREAT album by anyone's standards. Listen to it regularly and never tire of it. Never was a fan of 90125 though.

E-Dub wrote: frippster wrote: I like the Rabin trilogy, especially as stand alone works. 90210 is quite good, Big Generator has some very good moments mixed with some crap, also does Talk, which in my opinion has better parts and worse parts than its predecessor. I do prefer the classic era, but these 3 records are good. Man, that avatar could be the best one yet. Now to Yes: Talk is such an underrated disc, in my opinion. I think it's more consistent than Big Generator by leaps and bounds. Better produced, too. I keep forgetting to drag that out, but I might have to tomorrow. Love that disc. E

Thanks E-Dub, I live my life by Homer's teachings

Now again to Yeswest and my personal rating of the individual tracks of the trilogy:
90125:
- Owner... 2.5/5 never liked it
- Hold on... 3/5
- It can happen... 4/5
- Changes... 3.5/5
- Cinema... 4.5/5
- Leave It... 4/5
- Our song... 3.5/5
- City of Love... 2/5
- Hearts... 3/5
9 tracks, average 3.3/5

Big Generator:
- Rhythm of Love... 3/5
- Big Generator... 1/5
- Shoot High... 4/5
- Almost like Love... 1/5
- Love will find a way... 3.5/5
- Final Eyes... 3/5
- I'm Running... 2.5/5
- Holy Lamb... 3.5/5
8 tracks, average 2.75/5

Talk
- The Calling... 2.5/5
- I am waiting... 3.5/5
- Real Love... 3/5
- State of Play... 2.5/5
- Walls... 1.5/5 (I was thinking of this one when I said this cd had very low points)
- Where will you be... 4/5
- Endless Dream (combined tracks)... 4.5/5
7 tracks, average 3.1/5

I can't believe that I just ranked Talk lower than 90125 on a track by track rating.
Anyway, as I said, I think these are fine albums (except BG which I find only above average) that I try to regard as independently as possible.
By the way, I listened to Union and ABWH the other day and man, ABWH has not aged well at all, particularly due to the sound of Bruford's Simmonds drums. That day I thought Union was better, and it's pretty bad.

E[/QUOTE]Thanks E-Dub, I live my life by Homer's teachings .[/QUOTE]

amen, brother! a source of inspiration, education, enlightment
and advice for all ages at all times. d' oh...

just like YES's expansive body of work, really

... and, to close this excellent thread in style – this just in
at the news section:

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35206&FID=19

all yesWESTheads heads bowed! let's salute CIRCA:!

http://circamusic.net/

I'd be interested to see some more song by song ratings.....