KEYS TO ASCENSION

This was the second Yes release I got after Classic Yes. The first song I ever heard by them was "Owner Of A Lonely Heart", but these two were my introduction to '70s Yes. KTA was the band's most recent album at the time. It was recorded after the TFTO line-up got back together for the first time since Tormato. A big deal for Yes fans at the time but I was only starting to get into them.

The versions of "Siberian Khatru", "Revealing..." and "America" here are really good and sound similar to the studio versions. The only songs here I had heard before were the two that opened disc two: "Roundabout" and "Starship Trooper". The former I knew from the live version on Classic Yes but also heard the studio version on classic rock radio. I never really cared for "Onward" and "Awaken". The latter I thought was one of the worst epics Yes ever did.

I remember not thinking much of the two new studio songs. After listening to this again, I have to say that "Be The One" is much better than I remembered it. Not a bad song at all. Probably the best song they did since "I'm Running" which was the best song they did since "Machine Messiah" which was.... On the other hand, "That, That Is" has not only a stupid title but some awful, preachy lyrics too. I'm sorry Jon, you may have lived in LA but I don't think you're qualified to talk about the inner city problems there. The music sounds forced and the song is way too long.

I really like the Roger Dean cover artwork; I think it's one of the band's best album covers. This was a great introduction for me of the band's more epic side. This is nothing special if you already have the '70s studio albums. You're better off getting Yessongs and Yesshows before this. 3 stars.