UNION

The grunge explosion in the early nineties that followed the pop and new wave trends of the eighties added a challenge for the survival of the progressive heroes who were forced to reinvent themselves once again to face this hostile scenario. And a worn out Yes, with constant entrances and exits of their most representative members, make a stop to their differences to reunite and develop under the conciliatory and opportunistic name "Union" (1991), the thirteenth album of the band.

Harmonizing so many personalities and particular egos was already a complicated task, and in spite of that an endless and incomprehensible list of session musicians was added, according to producer Jonathan Elias due to the apathy and lack of involvement of the musicians and especially of Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe whose parts were replaced almost entirely by sonorities that work more in accordance with the demands of the market... And it is in this context that "Union" fails to consolidate itself as a fluid organic entity, weighed down by the lack of communication and commitment of the musicians.

Tracks like the 80's "I Would Have Waited Forever", "Shock to the System" that could be part of "90125" or "Big Generator", or the very AOR "Lif Me Up", navigate without much gravitation by common places, even the promising instrumental beginning of "Miracle of Life" is diluted in the lightness of some insipid choruses, the cosmic and boring "Angkor Wat" fails to take off and directly "Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For)" and "Holding On" do not add more value to the work.

But even in the midst of its irregularity and lack of cohesion, there are a handful of passages that can be rescued, such as the excellent instrumental "Masquerade", an acoustic gem of the most classic Howe, the beginning of "Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day", the second half of "Silent Talking" with a splendid Jon Anderson on vocals and some delay choruses accompanied by acoustic guitar riffs, or the dramatic atmosphere of "The More We Live - Let Go". Moments that help to save the album from the fire.

"Union", which tried to revitalize Yes' career, ended up being one of the most disunited works, in an irony of fate.

It could have been better.

2.5 stars