TALK

Following the disaster that was Union, Wakeman, Howe, and Bruford quit (again) leaving the future of the band in serious doubt. However, Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun approached the Yes West incarnation to ask them to record an LP on his new Victory Records label, assuming that the world would rush out and buy son of 90125 in their masses. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out like that - the album was very poorly publicised, the critics all but ignored it, and the label went bust. This incarnation of the band would never record again. Oh well....

All of this is a shame, because this is a criminally underrated album. Rabin did just about all of the writing and production, but, crucially, he allowed Anderson a strong voice in its making that had been absent from previous albums, and Jon responded in kind, producing an incredible vocal performance and willing the band to succeed.

The Calling opens the album in fine style. This is an old fashioned rock track, and Alan White is on particularly good form with loud drums.

I am Waiting is one of the finest love songs produced by the band, starting with a deceptively thoughtful guitar piece by Rabin, opening up to a full blown rock anthem, before settling down again. Rabin is tremendous on this. One of the best tracks the band produced after the so called classic period ended.

Real Love and State of Play are both fine rock epics, and the band really push out their credentials as both a progressive band and a rock band credible to fans in an era when grunge dominated.

Walls slows the tempo down a great deal. This is the one track that survived to CD the daliance Squire, Rabin, and White had with Roger Hodgson, formerly of Supertramp.. It has some of that band's quirkiness, with Rabin and Anderson certainly enjoying a great deal the vocal interplay on the chorus.

Where will you Be is a fine atmospheric piece that again shows Rabin at his finest. The man really did bring a lot to Yes. He's no Howe (who is?), but a distinct vocal and guitar style of his own added to the band certainly.

The Endless Dream trilogy has long been painted as this incarnation's Close to the Edge. To compare the two is ridiculous. It is, though, fantastic. Some exceptionally brooding guitar work, contrasts with Anderson's soaring lyrics. When he sings It's the first time, telling us this life, you realise just what a return to form this song and album are. The Talk Talk section features some fine vocal harmonies and band instrumental interplay. Over 15 minutes of pure prog heaven, this is amongst the finest pieces by any incarnartion of the band.

Very much misunderstood by some fans and critics alike, I would urge all prog fans to get this LP. It really is a fine example of a band supposedly on its last legs shouting out to the world that they still had the creativity and musical nouse to produce a great work. What a shame it didn't translate into vast success at the time.