Yes - Mirror to the Sky (New Album)

Of course Yes can do what they like, and we can say No to it. Cut from the Stars may be the most boring music I have heard. It is so tedious, mundane, generic. I feel like Yes has taken a blasé attitude to the next level with this mundane and generic piece. Kudos on that, I suppose, as it makes ennui such a palpable, and thoroughly tiresome experience. The colour of this world feels a little greyer now, things lack a little less taste, it is such a humdrum existence. Now I'm depressed. The video made it even worse in that it is so cheesy having those trite lyrics on screen in that manner. I have seen quite a few music videos like that (not just fan-made ones), and it is not a portent for good or exciting things to come. If this is very indicative of what to expect on a Mirror to the Sky, then that is a very lifeless, colourless, and tiresome reflection -- a meaningless, banal, world. There are many programs now that can create much more vibrant music than this. This pap may be a harbinger for the end of man's creativity and the rise of AI in all things. Maybe that's the point. I remember a time when Yes was full of life.

Prog-lite? Smooth Prog? EZ Listening Prog? Prog-by-Numbers? Prog-zak?

It's like using a brass screw for a job that a toaster and a pool skimmer are supposed to do.

Yes is my favorite band but, I have not bought anything beyond Magnification ( with the exception of the SW remixes) which, was the last good album the band released.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised with this song. Looking forward to seeing how the other tracks sound. It would be nice to purchase a new Yes release.

As for Jon Anderson, I like him, but some of the members here think he is the magic ingredient to make everything right. Maybe, Maybe not. The Drama album was a very good album, that sounded fresh because, Anderson and Wakeman jumped ship. And listening to the Paris sessions, it's a good thing they did, because what was coming out of those sessions would have made Tormato look like a masterpiece.

Anderson was the primary member of Yes that was behind the mess that was the Union album. His demands for more money and not letting on how truly sick he was when a tour was booked led Yes to boot Anderson from the band. Which, really meant Chris Squire, but it was obvious that Steve Howe and Alan White were fine with the decision.

I know there are a big contingent of Yes fans that like to drop everything on Steve Howe's lap when it comes to these personnel decisions. Howe, by all accounts can be a moody SOB. Engaging one moment and a jerk the next. But, it appears the blame for Anderson getting the boot rest more with Squire. As we found with the recent Benoit David interview, Howe didn't force Oliver Wakeman out to bring in his friend Downes. That rested with Trevor Horn. It appears that Howe and David maintained a professional relationship and that it was Squier who could be quite mean to David.

Anyway, it just seems that many believe that if Howe would get with the program and make nice with Anderson and bring him back, everything would be great again. Maybe, but Anderson has been responsible for putting out some real crap too and it seems his Napoleonic attitude can rub people the wrong way. None of us know what demands Anderson has made of Yes about pay or what music will be played. We know he never sang anything from Drama, which the other Yes members like to play live. Is he making the same demands on the new Yes music?

In the perfect world, Howe, Anderson, Wakeman and Bruford put their differences aside and go to studio and make an album. The last time these four got together and TRULY recorded together was ABWH. Not Close to the Edge or Fragile, but a good album. Even today, if this could happen would we be guaranteed just a good album from these four.

First single.  Light beer brew with a tossed lyric salad. 

Edited by omphaloskepsis - March 13 2023 at 13:20

moshkito wrote: Big Sky wrote: ... In the perfect world, Howe, Anderson, Wakeman and Bruford put their differences aside and go to studio and make an album. The last time these four got together and TRULY recorded together was ABWH. Not Close to the Edge or Fragile, but a good album. Even today, if this could happen would we be guaranteed just a good album from these four. Hi, I think that Mr. Bruford has stated that he has retired from drumming/performing altogether. I'm not sure that Wakeman wants to play with someone that had some fine moments with King Crimson, and I think that Bill's touch would make Wakeman sound ... pedestrian these days, like most of his music is! Jon I won't say much ... I think it is time for him to do HIS BARDO and call it a night ... and Mr. Howe ... I am not sure he will stop playing unless his fingers fall off. A nice idea ... but I think that even Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky ... all died ... and it is time that YES also calls it a life. Besides an artist making it for 50 years? Goodness me ... you're really pushing your luck!

That is why I said in a perfect world. You might get Howe, Wakeman and Anderson, but you're more likely to win the lottery than get Bruford to get behind the kit. No guarantee the music would be good. But, it could happen. Haydn composed Seasons late in his life. Bartok was nearing finishing his incredible Piano Concerto No. 3 when his battle with leukemia finally sent him to the hospital where he died. The last 17 bars were completed by a friend of Bartok using the notes Bartok had on the piano concerto.

Howe seems to be putting out some decent stuff with his trio.



Edited by Big Sky - March 13 2023 at 13:33

mathman0806 wrote: Yacht Prog?

Tapfret wrote: Lewian wrote: Quite a lot of negativity here about an album that probably nobody here has heard yet, and in fact nobody of you needs to listen to if you think you have better things to do. Why don't you just let them do what they feel like doing? I guess it doesn't hurt anyone. The "they" is one guy at this point. It's like once owning a Ferrari but it has disintegrated and all that's left is the wheels. You can put those wheels on a Toyota Camry and still get to where you need to go. The Camry is a very decent car. You might really love it. But quit trying to convince me it's still a Ferrari!

The Ferrari of Theseus..?