BIG GENERATOR

Yes enjoyed a spectacular, but short-lived, comeback with 1983's terrific "90125," the best selling Yes album of all time. Its follow-up, "Big Generator," equals some of its predecessor's heights, but is not even close to as innovative or consistent.

The problems resulted from handing the producer's controls from the gifted Trevor Horn to the ego-maniac Trevor Rabin. Whereas Horn gave "90125" a crisp, sharp focus, "Big Generator" swings wildly between great prog-pop and unlistenable 80s AOR, hair metal and even quasi-rap. While Rabin is multi-talented, he's a jack-of-all-trades, master-of- none, and his producing skills were unable to repeat 90125's commercial and critical success.

The problem arose when Rabin got too much credit for 90125's multi-platinum success, and Horn too little. You see, Rabin was the lead writer of the #1 single "Owner of Lonely Heart." But it was Horn who spun a simple hook into a great song.

There are three great tracks on the album. The opening "Rhythm of Love," while derivative of "Owner of a Lonely Heart," is equally great, and is embossed with a lush production and wild, Beach Boys-style vocal opening.

"Final Eyes" is a sweet, acoustic-guitar driven track reminiscent of the "Your Move" section of "All Good People." Finally, "I'm Running" is an awesome prog tour-de-force, with eclectic influences, wildly varied movements, terrific tempo changes, and big choruses.

The rest of the album suffers. "Shoot High, Aim Low" is lumbering AOR like post-Waters Pink Floyd. "Love Will Find a Way" was written for Stevie Nicks and should have stayed with her. "Holy Lamb" is as exciting as, well, a lamb.

The best Yes albums have all resulted from group efforts and, in most cases, a strong producer. "Big Generator" was the effort of one man, laboring away for the better part of four years while the rest of the group partied. Unfortunately, this led to the end of an era for Yes - "Big Generator" was their last album ever for a major record label.

"Big Generator" is clearly among Yes' weakest albums. So why four stars? Because even at its worst, Yes is better than most. Enjoy.