Yes - Fly From Here (A Review)

OPBASSMAN1994 · #1 07-25-2011, 03:16 PM

After several spins, lots of careful listening, etc., here's my thoughts on the newest Yes record:

Buggle's written or not, "We Can Fly From Here", the 24 minute, 6 part title track of the album which is at its heart is pure Yes. (As a matter of fact, despite what the Anderson-Wakeman purists would tell you, this is not even a real Buggles song, but a song written by Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes as a Yes song for "Drama", it just never happened.) The arrangements, while not as dramatic, dynamic, or intense as, say, "Close to the Edge" or "The Gates of Delirium" (which is my personal favorite), are still the most richly composed rock music to come out in years, and features so much of the band's distinct sound that it should satisfy any open-minded Yesman/woman quite well. An important note for me is that the piece features so much of Yes' signature 70's vibe, but carries some of the harder edged "Drama" feel too, and all the while has a certain 'newness' to it and feels very easy to listen to for both the Yes die hard and a new listener. However, "Fly From Here" is not a one trick pony with all its mojo blown on the First side. The B side is what really reinforces this album. "The Man You Always Wanted Me To Be" is a poppy, but unique and enjoyable Squire ballad that features his first lead vocal since the "Magnification" album, one of only three if I'm not mistaken. "Life On a Film Set" is awesome, starting out slow with mellotron-esque synth and acoustic guitar, which brings out echoes of King Crimson, and slowly building to the time signature change, which turns into the energetic 2nd half that brings the quirky end of "Sound Chaser" to mind. Then we have two Howe compositions, "Hour of Need", which is another nice ballad featuring a Keith Emerson sounding synth solo and lots of precise, sweet acoustic guitar playing provided by Steve (who is also duetting with David), followed by "Solitaire", a nice acoustic solo piece. Finally, we have the album closer, "Into the Storm", which feels like the best of "Tormato" (thanks to odd synth tone and Squire's old wah pedal) at times, and just goes up and up as we enter the "Armies of Angels..." passage for the second time going into the 6/8 time second half which is an energetic jam session, essentially. The coolest thing about "Into the Storm", though, is that faintly, you can hear Benoit sing "And we can fly from here..." toward the end, creating a fitting bookend effect that closes Yes' first release in a decade.

Besides the songs, I can't stop admiring the clean, tight, and extremely clear production of Mr. Trevor Horn. Best a Yes album has sounded in a LONG time.

Overall, I could probably take up ten pages talking about the thing, but the bottom line is: buy it. You won't regret this record, no matter what the (*cough* prog haters *cough*) at Rolling StoneD has to say. It's a fresh, "classic" Yes album that really has a lot of life, power, and fun just flowing out of it. Out of 5 stars, I'd give it a solid 4.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #2 07-25-2011, 03:29 PM

Oh, and by the way, if you have the choice, go for the vinyl copy. the sound really comes alive much more when it's coming out of the heavy-grade LP.

Wolfehollow · #3 07-25-2011, 04:05 PM

I agree the first song is worth buying alone. The CS tune and Film set are a tad cheesy but fit in the catalog nicely. Hour of need and Into the Storm are very nice pieces.

tangentmusic · #4 07-25-2011, 04:22 PM

I agree with everything OPBASSMAN1994 said.I too really like this album. At first listen I thought it was good, but now after repeated listenings it has totally grown on me. This is actually an awesome album. The Fly From Here suite is my favorite. I find all these songs etched into my brain. This is a good thing. If I dont really care for a record, this will not happen. I've read many reviews on this LP, and most say the same thing - No Anderson or Wakeman = no Yes. I disagree. I was a big fan of "Drama" when it came out. Sure, I was shocked when Jon & Rick left, but still felt it was a good album. I like "Fly From Here" more. Great production. Strong instrumentation. Good solid songwriting and great vocal performances from Beniot David & Chris Squire. You really have to let it grow on you. Give it a good honest chance.

LAG · #5 07-25-2011, 04:22 PM

I got my copy last week and have been playing it in my vehicle since. I really like it. Great Yes album.

Ric5 · #6 07-25-2011, 06:13 PM

Mine is in the mail.

bassbrad · #7 07-26-2011, 10:56 AM

Okay you sold me so i downloaded a copy and am really digging it. Now I am going back and listening to older Yes,
it's all your fault

4001 · #8 07-26-2011, 11:43 AM

It more than exceeded my expectations and I think it's their best since Going For The One.

Kink Rimson · #9 07-26-2011, 02:15 PM

I didn't like it.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #10 07-26-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

It more than exceeded my expectations and I think it's their best since Going For The One.

My thoughts exactly.

LAG · #11 07-26-2011, 05:32 PM

Just gotta jump in here one more time to say i love this album. The more i listen to it, the more i have to rate it magnificent.

tangentmusic · #12 07-26-2011, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAG

Just gotta jump in here one more time to say i love this album. The more i listen to it, the more i have to rate it magnificent.

Agreed.. It really grows on you, dont it?

OPBASSMAN1994 · #13 07-27-2011, 07:32 AM

I have to say the same. There's a rare quality to this album, much like Close to the Edge,
in which the whole album gets stuck in your head a bit, but it never outstays its welcome, and it's an album that doesn't get old even after several listens in one day. Well done, Yes, well done.

btw, nice sig Craig.

12bass · #14 07-27-2011, 08:34 AM

Upon the first few listens I found the tonality of the lead vocalist reminiscent of something I couldn't quite grasp... and now it just dawned on me that Benoît David's voice sounds at times like Max Bacon from Howe's earlier project - GTR. I also hear a bit of his francophone background in the pronunciation, particularly the opening lines. While Jon Anderson is famous for wanting lots of processing on his vocals (particularly delay), David's vocals here are sometimes strikingly dry, which makes for a contrast from previous Yes releases. Additionally, I get the impression that the lead vocals are more a part of the overall mix, with varying vocalists being highlighted in certain sections.

Anyone catch how a few phrases in the latter parts of the Fly From Here suite use the same rhythm as Machine Messiah?

OPBASSMAN1994 · #15 07-27-2011, 08:45 AM

Madman at the screens does remind me a lot of MM, which is not surprising, considering that Horn, Downes, and Squire worked on it in the same vein of the other two major parts, which were demo'd during Drama's sessions.

Barkless Dog · #16 07-28-2011, 11:24 AM

I was really dissapointed with no Jon anderson, although the new singer is not bad, but still no Jon anderson. I guess he fills the gap. Still sounds worthwhile.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #17 07-28-2011, 05:50 PM

He's not Jon Anderson, but that's the beauty of it. I think he's got a great voice that is not a soundalike of Jon, which is a good thing. I can take him much more seriously as a real band member than that Asian guy who sounds just like Steve Perry....

and hey, Jon'll be back when it all ends I think.
Though, I'd love to see another "Union" happen, honestly, instead of just a return to the classic line up as Yes' going away party. Then you'd get all the good stuff, "Drama" and "Fly From Here" included (which we all know Jon will never sing...) and heck, while they're at it, bring back Rabin for some 90125 other than "Owner"!

MrLenny1 · #18 07-28-2011, 06:14 PM

Just caught YES this year. Still a great act. Years later nobody writes or plays like them.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #19 07-28-2011, 06:23 PM

I saw them on this tour too. Vocal harmonies were tight and blended well. Rhythm was tight (minus a slight jump-of-the-gun on Howe's part when they were going into the second half of "We Can Fly"). I got shudders as they played "And You And I". They jammed an extra 5 minutes on "Yours Is No Disgrace", and Geoff broke out a freaking keytar for "Starship Trooper". I honestly think, despite the slowed tempos, Yes still rocked the crap out of Styx.

lucas vigor · #20 07-28-2011, 08:54 PM

It just arrived. I admit that I am a bigger fan of early YES. There was something wild and wooly about their sound early on, up to about Relayer. The 1st era of YES for me ended with Drama, though....because even though yes was changing, I liked the two albums before Drama. After that, more and more influences of adult contempory music crept in, and with the first Trevor Rabin album, the guitar style changed dramatically.

But seeing how I like adult contempory, I am actually enjoying this album. So far, I have only heard the first suite, and my impression is YES is still an awe-inspiring band. This is music that could be contempory Christian music if it had christian lyrics. The new singer's voice is not like Jon Anderson's at all. It just occupies the same range of notes and tone. (Basically, YES could easily have survived with a chick singer at some point!) But he is very good, definitely Trevor Horn-esque...and therein lies the similarity to Drama. This album is basically Drama 2.

As I listen to more songs, I will update this post.