What?: YES's 11th album, the return of Jon Anderson on vocals and original keyboardist Tony Kaye.
Why?: I originally got into Yes via the previously mentioned "essential prog albums" list which included "Close To The Edge". Last year I found a single-CD best-of Yes in a bargain bin and found I really liked the 80's era Yes, eventually buying "Drama". This CD was in a 5-for-$20 Yes box-set.
Tell me more!:
John Farnham, The Police, Vince Dicola, 80's hard-rock, AOR, Foreigner, Madonna!, 80's movie soundtracks... prog.
All in a blender.
It's an amazing album, full of cheese and beautiful 80s production and technical proficiency, huge choruses, naffness.
There isn't much love for the 80s Yes, and many disown this album as much of it began life as a solo album for new guitarist Trevor Rabin. I don't know a lot of 60s and 70s Yes, other than "Close To The Edge", but this album certainly has the Yes feel that I know. I suppose most who grew up with the early era can't get past the 80s-ness at the soul of this disc, and fair enough...
I really enjoy this album, but it is far from perfect. Sometimes they really do try too hard for arena-rock-glory, sometimes they wander a bit... but overall it's very solid and a lot of fun.
The production is sublime. The keyboards sit next to the guitars like old friends. Vocals are frequently used as instruments (check out "Leave It"). Random little clean guitar riffs fill what few empty spaces there are. The bass is clear (I love a good audible bass guitar). The drum sound is 90% The Police, but that's fine.
I've found Jon's vocals to be a bit hard to listen to for too long, but they suit this 80s sound perfectly. The hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart" is fantastic, with its random orchestra hits all over the place. It's songs like this that draw me back to the 80s and 70s. I'm always surprised how eclectic pop songs were. Talking Head's "Once In A Lifetime" being another great example.
"Our Song" drove me crazy for a little bit, the introduction keyboard reminded me of something... until I figured out it was Cat Steven's "Remember The Days Of The Old Schoolyard". The riffs aren't the same, but the songs start with a similar feel. They're not at all the same of course because this is Yes' version of pop and it's all over the damn place.
The album ends with "Hearts" and the feeling I get is "Dream Theater", a band clearly influenced by all eras of Yes. It's the most "Yes" song on the album and it's a fan favourite. It's long, complex, and less arena-rock...
Throughout I'm reminded of 80s movies. I think anything from this album ever ended up on a movie soundtrack, but it has that feel. I'm surprised how strong the feeling is.
Your enjoyment of this will depend how much you like this kind of 80s music. I love it. The AOR elements aren't as perfect as Foreigner's "4", but they're close. The prog elements are buried a bit by the arena-rock. It's a bit of a mess really, but I like messiness, especially in music.
6/10
