HEAVEN & EARTH

Heaven & Earth is, without a doubt, Yes's worst album. It lacks any groove, has no memorable songs, and the band sounds completely flat, making the experience painfully dull. While it's notable for being Chris Squire's last album with the band, that fact alone doesn't justify it. The album remains a disappointment.

Alan White, Chris Squire, and producer Roy Thomas Baker passed away some time later. We all know the legacy and presence of White and Squire, but not everyone knows that Baker was also behind the legendary and unreleased Paris Sessions, the "lost" Yes album planned between Tormato and Drama. Baker also produced classic albums for Queen, Journey, The Cars, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Smashing Pumpkins, and many more. So, naturally, I had high hopes. That only compounded the disappointment.

The road to this album wasn't easy either. Vocalist Benoît David left the band due to a respiratory illness, forcing the cancellation of the final shows of the 2011-2012 tour. He was replaced by Jon Davison, recommended to Squire by Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. Before even thinking about recording, the band took advantage of Davison's vocal range and intimate knowledge of classic material with tours that included the complete versions of Close to the Edge, Going for the One, The Yes Album, and Fragile. These shows were executed with impressive precision and artistry, bringing new energy to old masterpieces. But behind the scenes, everything was falling apart. Chris Squire was visibly exhausted and would soon be diagnosed with leukemia. Alan White was also going through difficult times, that would later lead to his death.

Against this backdrop, the band decided to record what could be their last album together. There was even talk of reviving the Paris Sessions or bringing in guest musicians, but in the end they opted to work only with their existing lineup and focus on new material. The results were disappointing from the start.

The recording sessions were chaotic. Steve Howe has been vocal in his criticism of the process and producer Roy Thomas Baker's erratic behavior. Baker seemed disengaged, often leaving the room mid-session, showing little enthusiasm, and repeatedly telling the band "that's enough" with a disinterest that frustrated everyone. He pushed Davison particularly hard, demanding endless vocal takes and insisting on over-producing tracks with excessive effects and unnecessary autotune. As the deadline approached, the band rushed to finish the recording just before a North American tour, forcing them to complete the mixes remotely over Skype, no less which Howe later attributed to a lack of cohesion and missing elements in the final product. Only "Subway Walls" stands out as a track with any impact. The rest feels unfinished or empty. Even promising material was discarded simply due to lack of time.

What was initially envisioned as a pleasant project, perhaps even a farewell of sorts, turned into something else entirely. Nothing good came of it. Billy Sherwood tried to step in to help with the final mix, but at that point, there was nothing left save the band. What we hear today barely resembles Yes; it's as if the band's sound had a flat tire.

It's a sad way to say goodbye to Chris Squire's legacy; not with a bang, but with a shrug.

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