Heaven & Earth from Yes represents a new stage in the long evolution of Yes. Never lacking any controversy with fans both old and new, each album takes on a life of its own. The band will never be able to live up to what are considered to be some of the most important and legendary albums of all time, Close to the Edge, The Yes Album, Fragile, among others. But what can be said is that the band and its revolving door of members also never shy away from taking chances and therein lies the challenge in reviewing a new album. Do you compare it to past glories or accept it as a new album by a band trying to stay fresh and relevant?
Jon Davison takes the helms here as a perfect clone for Jon Anderson’s uniquely high voice. Coming from Tennessee-based Prog band Glass Hammer, anyone who ever heard that band would have noticed the immediate similarity in his voice. He also brings with him his songwriting talents. Davison has filled in admirably on tour for a few years now since David Benoit’s departure and on this album he continues to sound like he fits right in. Production-wise, this album is much softer and clean then “Fly From Here”, the band’s previous effort, which was more stark and aggressive. There are a more softer elements, more acoustic guitar and the drums are not as up front.
Where older Yes albums feature the band’s technical prowess, this edition of the band, focuses on the vocals and melodies, leaving only brief sections for the band to shine instrumentally. The opening track, “Believe Again” kicks off with Steve Howe’s guitar swells, and then the band kicks in but in a subdued manner, allowing the first main force to be Davison’s voice. The minute the vocals kick in, it becomes apparent how much Jon Davison sounds like Jon Anderson. The song has one of the most memorable choruses on the album as well as a middle section that is one of the standout moments on the album. The same style continues with “The Game”, a very poppy song where Davison opens up about, “standing at your door with all my defenses down.”
“Step Beyond” still maintains the same mellow tempo but has a very 70’s Prog keyboard synth carried throughout the song. Again, vocals and harmonies are the driving force here. The song features one of the few heavier guitar parts on the album. “To Ascend” is an acoustic ballad, one you could imagine on one of the older records sung by Jon Anderson. This is one of the prettier moments on the album.
The highlights of the album are “Light of the Ages” and the closer “Subway Walls.” Both are throwback Prog tracks, the latter clocking in at 9 minutes and is easily the most experimental and interesting song on the album. “Light of the Ages” goes through changes from piano based to a section driven by Chris Squire’s signature bass sound and then a glorious acoustic chorus. “Subway Walls” is where Geoff Downes and Steve Howe finally let loose with a great middle section and an epic ending. There are also elements of Asia, of course.
Overall, I do find myself remembering some of these songs and singing along. While not a perfect Yes album, it is still a very good album and one worth giving a chance. It is not about what the band used to sound like, but what they choose to sound like now, which is a band that wants to explore new boundaries and not be content on only reliving past glories.
Released on July 21st (Europe)/July 22nd(US) on Frontiers Records
Key Tracks: Subway Walls, Light of the Ages
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv7oAIQNPoY
Tracks:
1. “Believe Again” Jon Davison, Steve Howe 8:02
2. “The Game” Chris Squire, Davison, Gerard Johnson 6:51
3. “Step Beyond” Howe, Davison 5:34
4. “To Ascend” Davison, Alan White 4:43
5. “In a World of Our Own” Davison, Squire 5:20
6. “Light of the Ages” Davison 7:41
7. “It Was All We Knew” Howe 4:13
8. “Subway Walls” Davison, Geoff Downes 9:03
Total length: 51:29
Yes
Jon Davison – lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar (tracks 1 and 6)
Steve Howe – electric, acoustic and steel guitars, backing vocals
Chris Squire – bass, backing vocals
Geoff Downes – keyboards, computer programming
Alan White – drums, percussion
Production
Roy Thomas Baker – production
Billy Sherwood – mixing, engineering on backing vocals
Maor Appelbaum – mastering
Roger Dean – cover art, Yes logo
Dave Dysart, Eric Corson – engineering
Daniel Meron – assistant engineer
this is a very good album…stop complaining about who isnt here and really listen…its whats going on now….not whats been….
Agreed.
It’s likeable. My brain can’t help hearing additional embellishments throughout all of what I’ve heard. If they were there it would resemble more of what we expected from Yes in the past.
Creo que muchos esperaban las suites épicas y los ritmos complejos, así como virtuosos solos de guitarra y teclado, por eso se sienten un poco decepcionados. Pero las canciones son buenas, sencillas, melódicas, tranquilas, con algunos estribillos catchys para corearlas una y otra vez… no es un mal disco, pero sin duda es más suave y pop que otros de sus releases…
Google translation: I think many expected the epic suites and complex rhythms and virtuoso guitar solos and keyboard, so they feel a little disappointed. But the songs are good, simple, melodic, calm, with some catchys again and again … not a bad album, but definitely softer and pop of his other releases …
Not enough energy…
It looks and sounds like Jon Davison is the primary songwriter on this album. Now don’t get me wrong, I like Jon Davison and I’d probably enjoy these songs in a different context, but it doesn’t really sound like Yes music to me. I think Steve and Chris should have been the primary songwriters at least as far as the music itself goes and just let Jon add lyrics.
I should add that I do like this track best from what I’ve heard so far.
Having now heard some of the new material live (via youtube and
naturally, it was recorded on someone’s cell phone) it was still very
easy to tell that the new material done live with how the show is
normally mixed live; the new stuff has all the punch and crunch you
would expect from Yes music. I suppose that means I might not be a Roy
Thomas Baker fan on this project (love him with Queen though).
Everything that comes across as not to dynamic on the album delivers in
spades when performed live. You have no idea how thrilled I am to have
made this discovery for myself. On ‘Believe Again’ live all the
instruments are mixed ‘IN YOUR FACE’ in concert.
Lacks oomph, lacks conviction, lacks integrity, lacks that good ‘ole YES mojo. I am so disappointed right now. I hope that they can make it up to me with the other tracks.
There are no bad Yes Albums, until now. This is so bad, and I have listened to it three times today and still find no true Yes sound. What a piece of shit this is. This guy, Jon Davison should go back to being a back up singer for Justin Bieber! Bring on the real Jon! DO NOT PURCHASE THIS CRAP! I realize he has been with Glass Hammer IN THE PAST. GUESS WHAT?. They also SUCK. Another wannabe yes sounding band. SAD,SO SAD.