Yes West (Rabin Era)
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35107
Printed Date: January 15 2025 at 16:57
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Yes West (Rabin Era)
Posted By: yarstruly
Subject: Yes West (Rabin Era)
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 11:20
|
I have noticed many topics regarding post-Gabriel and/or Hackett Genesis, but have rever to my recollection seen a topic on the "Yes West" era: The Trevor Rabin era of Yes. I like much of the music they did, although for different reasons from the "Classic" or "Trooper" era......What do you think? I definitely think it was (mostly) art rock, if not full on symphonic prog.......
Discuss... ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Replies:
Posted By: progismylife
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 11:26
| Which albums were part of this era? |
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 11:27
|
that's the YES that i first met in 1983/84 – i sort of worked my way back
from there, but i still hold the so-called “YesWest“ (or “PowerYes, “Rabin & Friends“, “Yeah“, “NotQuiteButSortOf“, “ABunchOfBoringOldFarts“, “ASRWK“ depending on the mood) in very high regard, indeed. they were never anywhere near the classic YES but they have created a then all-new YES-sound that was entirely their own and has also in turn influenced a new generation of bands (think billy sherwood's numerous ventures & listen to KINOs 2005 album “picture“, lots of rabinesque moments!) PLUS – they could regroup anytime, even as CINEMA or as a trevor rabin- solo project, and not sound dated at all. don't suppose you could say that about a prospected AndersonHoweSquireWakemanWhite album. i realize that i am probably alone on that opinion  let the onslaught begin!------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 11:29
|
@progismylife:
90125 BIG GENERATOR UNION (4 songs) TALK get your sick bags ready now, YES-purists... ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: progismylife
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 11:30
| I haven't heard any of those albums except a bit of Big Generator. |
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 11:50
oops, forgot the 9012 LIVE e.p. and DVD the latter is highly recommended, mainly due to some very revealing interviews and statements, that have resurfaced and were duly added to the bonus section – surprisingly tony kaye takes a leading role in a lot of opinioning and answering. maybe his profile in the band initially wasn't as subdued and low(ered) in the outset of the 90125-band? ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
progismylife wrote:Posted By: stewe
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 11:51
|
About Kino.. I think it's right, because their guitarist John Mitchell is big Rabin fan and "Yes-West" music is one of his influences, as he told me after concert of Arena (actually the name Kino is derived from pre-Yes-West band Cinema). John said also he likes his movie-scores and he wants to make some in the future. I think maybe I'm only prog fan who consider all three albums (BG, 90125, Talk) as masterpieces, like TFTO and Relayer... even for different reasons, I can put them on the same, highest level. I love also Yes-West participation on Union, contrary to mostly crappy stuff of "classic" line-up there. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/trevorrabin/?chartstyle=basic10" rel="nofollow">  <a href="http://steveer.ic.cz" rel="nofollow" |
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 12:11
|
wow...more love for the Rabin Era than I imagined......
Great!
As I said, this Yes era is NOT full-on symphonic prog, but still has very progressive, innovative arrangements and high-quality songs (for the most part).....
I mean REALLY listen to "Owner of a Lonely Heart" and take note of all the great things happening in the instrumentation, etc...put in the context of late 1983, and it really stands up! ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Posted By: progismylife
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 12:15
| Listening to Big Generator. Wow this sounds a whole lot better than I remember. |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 12:18
|
I am a big fan of the Trevor Rabin material. I prefer it to some other traditional member material. ------------- 
|
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 13:17
That is a very underrate album IMHO...no it isn't like CTTE, etc....but songs like I'm Running, Final Eyes, Shoot High Aim Low, Holy Lamb and even the hits (Rhythm of Love, Love Will Find a Way) are very good! I'm Running is something of a mid-80s mini epic.... ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Posted By: progismylife
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 13:23
When I first heard it I had just heard Fragile and was not into 80's sounding stuff at all. But now I listen to it with pleasure because it is a good 80's album. |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 13:26
WRONG!!!!!
Its a great 80's album. Actually, its just a great album. Listen to it with headphones. Sah-weet!  -------------
|
Posted By: progismylife
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 13:28
I'll do that sometime. You are right it is great not good. |
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 14:06
|
Wow! Where was all this love for Big Generator at the start of the Yes elimination tourney??? ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 14:09
I didn't see it.
Besides, here you get more Yes "purists" so voting would have been futile in the preservation of BG. I like to consider myself a open-minded fan of Yes.  -------------
|
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 14:50
| I feel both 90125 and Big Generator were voted out too early on that poll, but they are nowhere near my favourites.Good albums, for sure, but I feel they are more AOR in sound. And I like some AOR, yes- they stand up well enough today, too. Union is mostly poor though, and Talk was no great shakes, imho of course. |
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 15:28
|
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.... ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 15:53
Hmmm...I need to dig out that CDand listen again. -------------
|
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 16:37
|
And don;t forget this Big Gen fan! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: eddietrooper
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 16:59
|
If you notice my nickname you'll realize that I'm a "Trooper" and not a "Generator", but still I consider YesWest as a good artsy 80's rock band. 90125 was fresh and exciting and rather progressive for its time (specially my favorite track, "Changes"). Big Generator was weaker and Talk included two great tracks (The Calling and Endless Dream) but also some uninteresting ones. Rabin was an incredible guitar player, more skilled than Howe from a technical pont of view, and rather creative and emotional as well...
...But of course, classic Yes were sooooooo much better !!!
|
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 17:00
Way-hay, I'm glad someone else has finally recognised this. |
Posted By: alan_pfeifer
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 18:39
|
I'm happy with what Yes did with Rabin. He was the right thing for Anderson and the rest of the guys to add to create dynamic and quality new music (much like Belew did with KC.)
I don't understand why people hate this version of Yes. It's just as good as the old ones.
|
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 19:16
|
Man, is it good to see a positive thread regarding the Trevor Rabin era of Yes. I've seen them just raked over the coals on PA; but, that was the era that got me into Yes. Just like a previous post, I worked my way backwards with 90125 and I wonder how many other people did the same thing. People come down hard on it; however, that particular period may have brought Yes into the lives of a lot of people who may have otherwise never given them a second thought.
As for the albums, I love both 90125 and Talk. Big Generator is OK, but bookended are two amazing discs, in my opinion. Talk is VERY underrated in my book. Nice thread!!!! E ------------- 
|
Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 19:48
|
Eh definately naw,have tried to like this version of Yes, it will never be Yes.Dress it up whichever way you want ;West Yes,American Yes, it just isn't Yes.The only redeeming feature is the great man singing. |
Posted By: FragileDT
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 23:11
|
I HATE that cheesy 80s sound that almost every band had. I didn't think Yes could've fallen off more after the masterpiece of "DRAMA." (even though it wasn't really the same band. At all.) Terrible stuff IMO. Yet I still bought them all. ------------- One likes to believe In the freedom of music But glittering prizes And endless Compromises Shatter the illusion Of integrity |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 23:16
I only bought 90125 the day it was released in Perú and changed it with a friend for Bat Ouit of Hell after 2 or 3 days.
Heard Big Generator and simply couldn't resist it.
Iván ------------- 
|
Posted By: bhikkhu
Date Posted: March 05 2007 at 23:24
|
I liked "90125" then, and I still do now (although not quite as much). "Big Generator" was a huge disappointment, and I consider it the weakest album to bear the name Yes. ------------- a.k.a. H.T. http://riekels.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow - http://riekels.wordpress.com |
Posted By: Nipsey88
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 00:04
|
I had just gotten into "classic Yes" (the era not the album) just before 90125 came out, so when I first heard it, I was primed to be a fan (was also the first time I got to see Yes live). While I certainly agree that the best albums from this band were the usual suspects (TYA, Fragile, TFTO, CTTE, Relayer (my personal fave)), I also have a soft spot in my heart for the Rabin era albums. Kinda lost track of them after Talk, (although did see ABWH live...great!) my interest was renewed in the late 90's when they started playing more "classic" (Revealing Science live...so sweet) stuff live, and Magnifiaction sealed the deal. All in all, a band that has the staying power of over 30 years is gonna go through changes (pun intended), and if you judge each work on its own merit rather than as a comparison to CttE, you may be pleasantly surprised. Just my two cents. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Nipsey88/?chartstyle=myspace02" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 03:21
|
I only bought 90125 the day it was released in Perú and changed it with a friend for Bat Ouit of Hell after 2 or 3 days.
Iván [/QUOTE]
gosh, i feel sorry for you...  ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 03:46
|
Well I never!
Lots of Trevor Rabin fans coming out of the closet, all of a sudden! 
Terribly sorry, folks, but I could never STAND the guy, no matter how great a virtuoso (???) he might be. Horrible playing, horrible singing! Rabid Rabin-era Yes? 'We hates them!' 
|
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 04:54
|
Great thread!
Union is the worst of the bunch but if it were not for the Rabin/Squire energy Yes may have disbanded totally in the 80's. I do think Talk has the upper edge and Rabin managed to give a harder feel to the band when many other bands went real gaga on electronic stuff...Jethro Tull - A; Rush - Power Windows, Tangerine dream evolving to ennui to name but a few!!! Rabin is OK  ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 05:31
I rather like Rabins singing and as a guitarist I find him rather exceptional. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 06:22
|
I rather like Rabins singing and as a guitarist I find him rather exceptional. [/QUOTE]
great singer & musician – bit generic at times though. YesWest to me wasn't just one guy – rabin was certainly important and a catalyst to so many things, but it was the sum of its parts. ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 06:31
|
This period of Yes seems to be a bit dubious to Jon Anderson- in an interview with Anderson I have, he expressed some bitterness over Trevor Rabin's supposed dominance. Even Trevor Horn, the producer, said that Rabin had been very forceful and the dynamic was affected. However, I believe Rabin and Rick Wakeman are good friends.
I had a solo album of Trevor Rabin called 'Wolf' produced by Ray Davies of The Kinks. Pretty decent AOR/melodic rock album- sort of hinted at that 'YesWest' sound, I seem to recall...
|
Posted By: MorgothSunshine
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 08:05
|
I think Big Generator is damn good! ------------- For every truth even the contrary is true... 
|
Posted By: frippster
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 13:06
|
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. |
Posted By: Norbert
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 13:31
|
Well, the Rabin-era is hardly the best period for Yes, but 90125 is not bad at all.
It's not CTTE , Relayer or whatever your favourite Yes album is, but it doesn't suck.
I would not surely give it for a Meat Loaf album
  . |
Posted By: The Green Tank
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 18:16
|
Every era of Yes has it's highs and it's lows. I like the rabin era as much as any other era. There's still tons of truly enjoyable music to be found. ------------- 
|
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 20:01
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 -------------
|
Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 20:45
great singer & musician – bit generic at times though. YesWest to me wasn't just one guy – rabin was certainly important and a catalyst to so many things, but it was the sum of its parts.[/QUOTE] Can't agree with your musical thoughts are you a St.Pauli football fan? |
Posted By: Gianthogweed
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 22:24
|
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?
|
Posted By: Gianthogweed
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 22:32
Union is an interesting album because, while I'm a diehard fan of the classic Yes lineup, I tended to prefer the Rabin songs on this album. Except for Saving My Fart. That song was embarrassingly bad. Probably the worst Yes song ever, actually.
|
Posted By: Gianthogweed
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 22:35
Agree with this for the most part. Endless Dream is kind of cheesy, but I like it. The Calling is good, and Real Love is really good. 90125, was probably the better album, but I think I like Talk more.
|
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 22:51
Why you feel sorry for me?
I never regret the change, or am I not entitled to find 90125 disgusting and Bat Out of Hell amazing?
Iván -------------
|
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: March 06 2007 at 22:55
I was thinking he sounded like the original singer of Survivor. Actually, those spots are genius. Great campaign. E -------------
|
Posted By: Olias
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 00:13
|
The last days of January I burned some Yes-Rabin era tracks, just to heard'em on my car stereo... Anyway, I choose: Hearts, Final Eyes and Holy LambMmmm...not bad at all (Seriously)
|
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 00:15
|
Way too boring and generic IMO.....although I like Leave It quite a bit ------------- "Art is not imitation, nor is it something manufactured according to the wishes of instinct or good taste. It is a process of expression." -Merleau-Ponty |
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 03:16
yep – i am looking down onto their, erm, stadium (football pitch is probably a better description) right now, as i work next door to it in central hamburg. great club! and even bayern munich's manager (that irritating fat turd) has a soft spot for them, which goes some way... opinions, opinions ... ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: dedokras
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 07:05
|
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. |
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 08:22
|
This is a great discussion on both sides...I was worried when I posted the topic that it would quickly degenerate into Rabin-Bashing like it often does on Yes message boards... ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Posted By: Rolldothome
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 14:14
| 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. |
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 14:29
It seems that Big Generator is more popular among the posters on this thread than anywhere else i have ever seen! I'm impressed! ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Posted By: frippster
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 15:13
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. |
Posted By: maribor
Date Posted: March 07 2007 at 18:15
| I consider Talk to be in my top 5 Yes albums list. I like every track on that album. Their last great effort. |
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: March 08 2007 at 05:44
|
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 ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: March 08 2007 at 06:09
|
I may as well rank the tracks too, to compare with frippster.
90125:
- Owner...  - Hold on... - It can happen... - Changes... - Cinema... - Leave It... - Our song... - City of Love... - Hearts... 9 tracks, average 3.66 Big Generator: - Rhythm of Love... - Big Generator... - Shoot High... - Almost like Love... - Love will find a way... - Final Eyes... - I'm Running... - Holy Lamb... 8 tracks, average 3.25 Talk - The Calling... - I am waiting... - Real Love... - State of Play... - Walls... - Where will you be... - Endless Dream (combined tracks)... 7 tracks, average 3.28 ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: iguana
Date Posted: March 08 2007 at 09:47
|
... 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/ ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: March 08 2007 at 11:20
|
Good idea!
Here's my ratings:
90125:
- Owner... 4/5 - Hold on... 4/5
- It can happen... 4.5/5 - Changes... 4.75/5 - Cinema... 5/5 - Leave It... 4.5/5 - Our song... 3.5/5 - City of Love...3.5/5 - Hearts... 5/5 9 tracks, average 4.3/5 Big Generator:
- Rhythm of Love... 4/5 - Big Generator... 3.5/5 - Shoot High... 4/5 - Almost like Love... 3.5/5 - Love will find a way... 4/5 - Final Eyes...4.75/5 - I'm Running... 4.5/5 - Holy Lamb... 4/5 8 tracks, average 4.03/5 YesWest on Union:
-Lift Me Up: 4.5
-Miracle of Life: 4.5
-Saving My Heart: 3
-The More We Live-Let Go: 4.5
4 Tracks, average: 4.125/5
Talk - The Calling... 4.5/5 - I am waiting... 4/5 - Real Love... 4.5/5 - State of Play... 4/5 - Walls... 4/5 - Where will you be... 4.5/5 - Endless Dream (combined tracks)... 5/5 7 tracks, average 4.36/5 ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |
Posted By: yarstruly
Date Posted: March 12 2007 at 14:35
|
I'd be interested to see some more song by song ratings..... ------------- Facebook hashtags: #100greatestprogrockchallenge #scottssongbysong #scottsspotlight |