CD Review: Yes--90125 (Atlantic Recording Corporation, released 7 November 1983)

It's been a while, but certainly not due to lack of interest on my part or anything like that. If anything, I've been more musically awake this summer than I have in a long time. I've been busy re-discovering my favorite band (Rush), which has led to all sorts of strange events and experiences.

Eventually, I do want to write about Rush (and their entire musical collection, not to mention their dynamite 2007 Snakes & Arrows Tour), but I just can't do it right now for the same reasons I can't effectively write about The Grateful Dead or Phish or Pink Floyd right now--the task is just too daunting. Stay tuned for all of that.

Instead, I decided to delve into the collection of a band that Rush claims influenced them more than a little. I've always known about Yes (and for those of you who think you've never heard of them, you are most certainly familiar with "Owner of a Lonely Heart," which is the opening track of this album), but I've never paid much attention. Their music just never grabbed me for whatever reason. After listening to Rush so much over the last few months, I think my ears must just have been primed to hear this, because I am enjoying this music MUCH more than I thought I would.

I did some research and discovered that during their 90125 Tour, Yes would open the show with the quick instrumental "Cinema" (which is actually the 5th song on the album) and then follow it with "Leave It." Since they were opening their shows this way, I figured I would listen to the album that way as well--start with track 5, and go in order from there. I was immediately taken by musical complexity I had no idea Yes possessed. "Cinema" is an absolute balls-to-the-wall showcase of the instrumental ability of everyone in the group, particularly the bass of Chris Squire and the keyboards of Tony Kaye.

"Leave It" is the perfect follow-up to that introduction, as it begins with an a cappella vocal section, which just fits after being blindsided by some in-your-face instrumental work. There is also an element of funk in this song that I'm sure contributed to the development of the sound that a band like Primus would eventually be known for. The 80's iconic classic "Owner of a Lonely Heart" displays traces of this sound as well.

Like Rush, they also have a knack for unusual time signatures, particularly evident in "Changes." Rhythm and time signature are not necessarily obvious to those who haven't studied music, but they do create interest and surprise within a tune. Not many bands feel comfortable working with unusual rhythms, so I am always impressed when they have the guts to try. For Yes, it works well and helps add to their unique sound.

"Our Song" reminds me a bit of something The Who or The Moody Blues might have done. It has soaring melodies that make me think of the Tommy soundtrack. "It Can Happen" (which has one of the coolest bass riffs I've ever heard) and "Hearts" are in that same category. I am so impressed at their versatility--I just had no idea they could pull off different styles with such ease.

Vocally, they sound like no one else. Jon Anderson's voice is as unmistakable as Geddy Lee's, and with 90125, they did a lot of experimentation with harmony, adding some great texture to already phenomenal instrumental work. I will admit to not particularly connecting to a lot of the lyrics, but I am also spoiled after listening to the genius of Neil Peart for a while now. I can overlook spacey lyrics when the music is good.

This album was supposed to be a comeback album of sorts. Yes has gone through quite a few personnel changes over the years, and this was a reunion of most of the original members. I would not say that it sounds like the older stuff they had done--they evolved substantially during their times working on other projects. I don't claim to know much about their collection as a whole--I'm just scratching the surface at this point--but I do believe this is a solid album, and listening to it has made me want to delve into the rest of it.

Track Listing:

1. Owner of a Lonely Heart

2. Hold On

3. It Can Happen

4. Changes

5. Cinema

6. Leave It

7. Our Song

8. City of Love

9. Hearts

The newly released version is remastered and also includes the following tracks:

10. Leave It (Single Remix Version)

11. Make It Easy

12. It Can Happen (Cinema Version)

13. It's Over (Previously Unissued)

14. Owner of a Lonely Heart (Extended Remix)

15. Leave It (A Capella Version)