ANIMATION

Animation is a slight improvement over the previous, uneven Song Of Seven and almost as good as the Yes album 90125 that was released the same year (which I consider the weakest Yes album of all time). Some moments on this album are slightly similar to Yes music (of the time), but there are also some moments that would not have fitted well on any Yes album. Obviously, as with most solo albums by singers, the songs here are vocally driven rather than instrumentally driven. But there are still some vaguely interesting instrumental moments.

The music here is both backward-looking and forward-looking in the sense that some moments remind of Song Of Seven and the late 70's Yes album Tormato, while other moments remind of 90125 and the Yes of the 80's. The emphasis is sadly on the latter, though.

The first half of the album is much stronger than the second half. Especially the three last tracks I find rather unremarkable. The folky Boundaries (haven't I heard that one before?) is probably my favourite song from this album together with Olympia and the title track (weird lyrics though!)

Only for hard core Yes fans, but not essential even for them.