WORLD TRADE

Slightly weaker than their first album, this one was recorded after Billy Sherwood's first appearance with Yes (on Union), but before his full membership with that band. There is still a strong resemblance to "Big Generator" era Yes, with a hint of It Bites, but the songwriting, for the most part has taken a downturn, heading toward the drivel that he help Yes record on "Hold Your Nose"... I mean "Open Your Eyes". Even the appearance of Chris Squire on two songs doesn't help.

There are some decent moments, but they are dragged down by the feeling that they could be average moments on one of the worst Yes albums. And the best song, Wheels Of Life, sounds too much like a disparate bunch of random ideas recorded and spliced together randomly into what is supposed to be a song.

Any hard core Yes fan knows who Billy Sherwood is. He first appeared with Yes as a producer on one track of the ill-received "Union" album, and became a full fledged band member for the dismal "Open Your Eyes" and the much better "The Ladder". But before Yes, he was in World Trade, a Yes clone. Not just a Yes clone, but a clone of the 1980's pop Yes.

This, World Trade's first album, has a very strong Yes influence. That is, if you consider "Big Generator" truly Yes. It doesn't come close to "90125" in progressiveness or inventiveness, but it does have some listenable moments. However, they lose points for Fight To Win, that is way to obviously a ripoff of "Owner Of A Lonely Heart.

Another comparison at many times is to It Bites. For some reason, they have almost as much of a resemblance to that band as they do to Yes.

Put on to this as one of Classic Rock magazine's 'top ten prog albums of the eighties', this had much to live up to. Sadly it fails. We end up with someone trying to sound like the 'Yes' of the same period, which isn't exactly saying alot. 'Big generator' must be one of Yes' least memorable albums, and this follows suit.

I personally prefer my Yes music to be a bit more 'moody' than this repetitively paced offering. 'Classic Rock' were right that the stand-out song is 'The revolution song', which is very catchy, but listen some more and 'Sense of freedom' stands out as a not to bad attempt to be moody, whilst the last song, 'Open the door' is worthy too.

Overall though, I found it a shallow ride.

Are you familiar with YES "Open Your Eyes" album? If so, this album by World Trade is very similar with Yes "Open Your Eyes" album which was released two years after this album by World Trade. What does it imply? You might have thought that Yes "Open Your Eyes" was heavily influenced by World Trade? Well, it can be two ways: Billy Sherwood (vocals, bass) had been a die hard fan of Yes and he joined Yes later and released "Open Your Eyes" album. Just before he joined Yes, he and his bandmates released this album with music style of Yes "Tervor Rabin Era". The vocal quality in this album is quite similar with Jon Anderson's. The music is much simpler and it flows naturally through out the album.

But of course one might conclude that World Trade influenced Yes because "Open Your Eyes" was similar musically with "Euphoria". Take example of opening track "One World Going Round" (5:25) which showcases similar style with "Open Your Eyes" album.

Overal, it's a good album.

This album was a project from Billy Sherwood, who was famous for his presence in Yes as bass player in their late period: "Open Your Eyes" and "The Ladder". The result was a decent album played by an ordinary band, oriented to play good music but lacking some creativity. Even though influences from Yes are more than evident; their music has its own features: even darker and more solid bass guitar lines, heavier riffs and an interesting atmosphere that makes the album very enjoyable. Billy Sherwood is an excellent vocalist; the band has good keyboard lines but definitely poor guitar arrangements. Sometimes there are wide passages and spaces that make the music a bit arid.

Anyway, a good and positive album, don't expect more than this. I do not mean it is a bad album, just plain neo progressive that grows under the shade of classical band: Yes.

This is a good, but not great, neo-prog album. About half the songs are excellent, in particular "Wasting Time," the other half are forgettable AOR. It's clear Billy Sherwood & Co. had been listening to Yes' Big Generator album a lot, and if you like Big Generator, you'll like this.

This the second album by World trade,is almost as good as its "older brother". They still sound (and thats in a positive way)like earlier Yes. Great songs and wonderfull vocals (Billy Sherwood..Now in: Conspiracy with Chris "Yes" Squire.)the production is a bit..ahem light in the top...but dont let that get in the way for you,to go buy this record.Go buy them both!!! Its prog light...but if you´re into...Early Yes...you liked: Billy Sherwood & Chris Squires...2 latest outputs:"Conspiracy" & "The Unknown". You´ll LOVE this (and the aforementioned first album). Enjoy.