THE QUEST

So, I was invited to listen to a promo copy of the new Yes album, and I should say that it is very good! Okay, it's not Keystudio or Drama, but it's not really that far from there, and in my opinion is the best album that Yes has composed in the past 25 years. Overall, I find it better than H&E, FFE, The Ladder, the Rabin era' Yes, Union, ABWH, Open your eyes, Tormato, and I like it more than Magnification because it is more rock-oriented. However, it is true that The Quest does not reaches the heights of Homeworld, Magnification or In the presence of.

So, what do we have here?

1. The ice bridge (8.5/10) - one of the best songs of the album, even if the core was composed some 40 years ago.

2. Dare to Know (7.5/10) - The first newly composed piece sets the bar a bit low. I like the orchestra, which reminds me of Magnification, but the keyboards and some vocals drag the song down a bit. Only the lovely guitar work by Howe saves it.

3. Minus the Man (6/10) - Well, this is your typical average Glass Hammer song with Howe on guitar...don't like it especially although the harmonizing vocals are cool.

4. Leave Well Alone (9/10) - My favourite of the album. It starts with some 80's flavour but it soon changes and takes us into full acoustic-symphonic Yes territory. The second part is pure bliss, it reminds me of some The Yes album/GFTO/Keystudio moments...

5. The Western Edge (6/10) - this is a good song by Sherwood and Davison, but it sounds too much like a Circa/Sherwood solo piece. Could be in any The Prog collective album.

6. Future Memories (7/10) - I like the voice of Davison and the guitar here, (reminds me of Steve Hackett). If this song had served as the introduction of a longer piece it would have been perfect, because it sets the mood so well.

7. Music to My Ears (7.5/10) - a piece elevated by the vocals and keyboards. I get the feeling that the band really enjoys playing together here.

8. A Living Island (6/10) - sadly the third longest piece in the album is a miss... Too simple and undeveloped, feeling like a christmas song in places.

CD 2 1. Sister Sleeping Soul (5/10) - A Davison-led song with good vocals, although it feels like a filler to me.

2. Mystery Tour (5.5/10) - A playful Beatelesque song that would have better suited for Howe's recent solo album Love is.

3. Damaged World 8/10) - a very good song with Howe on vocals, this one also feels more like a band effort. The ending is so good!

Overall, a very ejoyable album, better than I expected and a truly valuable effort coming from this great band.

I feel that the rating should be anywhere from 3.5 to 3.8 stars, so I'm rounding up to four.

Highly recommended!