HEAVEN & EARTH

Ok, the cover is superb and it surely brings back memories of old. However, the music inside the CD has very little to do with classic Yes. Having said that I must admit I liked this album a lot. Because it fits my taste. There is almost none of the symphonic progressive rock they used to deliver so supreme during the 70´s. The songs are light, melodic, very well done and performed. Surprisingly inspired sometimes, specially considering their rather insipid previous studio output, Fly From Here.

The first thing I noticed is that Jon Davidson was an excellent choice to replace Jon Anderson, He sound a lot like Anderson without sounding like an imitation of him. His timbre is very natural and it fits so well you hardly miss Yes former singer at all. The instrumental part is another story entirely: they don´t sound like Yes. Or at least the Yes sound we expect from the likes of Howe, Squire and White. The guitar parts especially are very subdue, it looks like someone influenced by Howe than Howe himself. Squire is ok, I guess,. but still he does not do much noodling here. Downes keys are also good, but not as majestic and powerful as Wakeman or even Kaye. I guess they just did their best with the songs they had.

And the songs are as far away from symphonic Yes as they could be. They´re good, but comparatively simpler, melodic stuff. Almost prog pop if you will. Still, they are good and some parts are very classy.. Sometimes bordering the excellent mark like the last and longest track of the CD, Subway Walls. The lyrics are what one would expect if Anderson was still in the band. No better, nor worse. The production is top notch. No real bad track to be found, surprise!

I was not going to listen to this CD if a friend would not lend it to me. I thought I had enough of today´s Yes. And it surprised me in a good way. different, ok. Not close to their 70´s stuff, yes. But still better than much of their latter tunes. That´s something.

Rating: 3 stars. To listen without prejudice.