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Trevor Rabin - Can't Look Away CD (album) cover

CAN'T LOOK AWAY

Trevor Rabin

 

Crossover Prog

3.23 | 35 ratings

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SouthSideoftheSky
Special Collaborator
Symphonic Team
4 stars Hold On!

Can't Look Away was Trevor Rabin's first solo album since he had joined Yes (but not his first solo album overall). At this point in his career he had already played on the Yes albums 90125 (released in 1983) and Big Generator (1987), but his days with Yes were not over and he would later go on to contribute to Union (1991) and Talk (1994). In addition to Rabin himself on guitars and lead vocals (among several other things), Can't Look Away also features another Yes member in Alan White on drums (on some tracks). The album will appeal to anyone who enjoys the Yes albums that Rabin played on, and in my opinion this album is actually better than both 90125 and Big Generator!

Rabin is not only an excellent guitarist, but also a strong vocalist and a good song writer. All of these qualities are amply represented here where he does not need to take the back seat behind anyone else. In my opinion, Rabin's very best compositions can be found on Yes' Union album in Lift Me Up and Miracle Of Life. But apart from those two excellent Yes songs, some of Rabin's finest songs are on the present album. The album opens with the title track which features an excellent riff very much in the style of Lift Me Up and showcases Rabin's powerful guitar styles. He is an incredible player!

Some songs here, most notably Sorrow (Your Heart), pay homage to Rabin's African origins by fusing Rock and traditional African sounds. I have never heard anything quite like it. There are many other styles of music as well subtly fused into an overall progressive Arena Rock foundation. The Cape, Sludge, and Etoile Noir are instrumentals that contribute to the variety of the album keeping it interesting throughout.

I think it is a real shame that Rabin didn't continue his solo career (after he left Yes the second time around) with more albums in the style of this one. I still hope that one day (preferably very soon!) he would form a strong band around himself and tour the world performing songs from this album as well as songs from his time in Yes. With the best songs from Talk, Union, Big Generator, 90125, and the present album, he could really put together a great set list.

Can't Look Away remains Rabin's greatest achievement as a solo artist, and a great album it is

SouthSideoftheSky | 4/5 |

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