RITES AT DAWN

Unashamably and amazingly accurately recreating the sound of Fragile-era Yes - this is a remarkable album. If you can overlook the fact that Wobbler did not create this soundscape from scratch and appreciate it purely for what it is - an incredibly close replication of Yes' sound circa 'Fragile' and 'Close To the Edge', but with a freshness and invention that most bands seeking after that sound seem incapable of - it is an absolute joy. To my ears it's way more inspired and uplifting than the latest offering from Yes - which as a longstanding Yes fan since the 70's is kind of hard to admit. I have found myself grinning as I listen to this album for simple joy in discovering a new album that brings the same pleasures as first hearing the Yes albums of the seventies used to bring when they were released.

As other reviewers have noted, there's no shortage of would-be Yes-clones on the market - what makes Wobbler the exception for me, is that they are producing music Yes could be proud of rather than the uninspired aping that is so often on offer.

If another band taking up the baton of a classic sound irritates or frustrates you this is definitely a CD to avoid, but if you simply want to enjoy hearing what could very easily have been an unheard Yes album recorded between Fragile and Close to the Edge, this is one you certainly should give a listen.