THE QUEST

Definitely good news within a very odd year, and happy sounding as almost every other YES album I've enjoyed so far. The Ice Bridge and Dare to know are probably the best 13minutes of the album, at least for me. A mirage maybe? Outstanding guitar playing by Howe and pounding bass by Sherwood, peaceful sounding and very Anderson-like vocals by Davison (an excellent fit for the band) but very a very flat intervention from Alan White and Downes, not quite sure why they sound so "hands tighten" here. Live Well Alone wakes up the listener again after Minus the Man made him dormant, cool funky tune, Howe's and Sherwood's show once again. Kind of jazzy and very retro sounding, I dig it. The Western Edge and Future Memories bring a more mellow and kind of romantic side of the band, guessing Davison's influence in the writing process maybe, like evoking lost or imposible love. Mostly acoustic and not very YES sounding, however still quite enjoyable depending on the listeners mood. Still not digging Howe's singing too much. Music to my ears does have some 70's symphonic teasers at points, relating to more complex music crafting episodes of the band. Definitely one of the best tracks of the album A living Island, a little too sweet and colorful, with a Neo Prog vibe to it, nice piano and guitar. Vocal harmonies also cool and precise. Like the cotton candy side of YES, chosen to close CD1. Sister sleeping soul opens CD2 and somehow it feels like a filler, although guitar licks save this overall mellow and flat psychedelic folky tune. Mystery tour and Damages World are unquestionably the weakest segment of the album, I don't know the whole story to it but it seems like the three tracks on CD2 were added to comply with someone's special request, I think CD1 would have been more than enough for a very overall good album. Mystery Tour is a rendition to the Beatles, to rock and roll, to the idols. Poppy and happy like it is supposed to be, another tune that would be a nice b-side perhaps but doesn't feel like pertaining to an album like The Quest and Damaged World is all Steve Howe and his voice just doesn't do it for me, although his guitar playing is wonderful as always. Not the type of song I was expecting on this album either. THE END