Comments for Yes, Keys To Ascension Volume 1

"Keys To Ascension" might as well be called "Keys To Redundancy". With so many live Yes albums available ("Yessongs" "Yesshows" "An Evening Of Yes Music Plus") one wonders why Yes would release yet another live compilation of tried and true favorites. The live cuts are the faithful favorites performed in the usual (and excellent) Yes perfection, especially "Awaken". But the "new cuts" spliced onto the album are tired and questionable. The music seems to mumble and plod along like a long distance runner about to collapse from low blood-sugar. Anderson's vocals are shouted over these almost random-sounding blobs of sound. It is this Yes fan's hope that "Keys II" will feature more energy and imagination that has always been intrinsic to Yes music.

I have to say I completely disagree with some of what "Hockey Jim" said about Keys to Ascension 1. First, this album represents the musicians' faithful return to the "original" Yes sound, in answer to their biggest fans who have been wondering what the last three albums were all about. While Trevor Rabin is a skilled musician, he is NOT the real Yes sound. When the reformed Yes announced and played the three San Luis Obispo concerts in March of 1996 which resulted in KTA1 (and videos and KTA2 to come), their tried-and-true fans all over the world were incredibly excited. Indeed fans from all over and several countries showed up for these concerts. I'm only saying this as a point of reference in how KTA1 is to be judged. I think everything sounds wonderful on this album, INCLUDING the two new studio tracks. Each time I listen to it I get more and more excited. As with a comment I saw for the album "Close to the Edge," if you don't like this album (KTA1), then you won't like the true Yes sound nor most of their music. If that is the case, then too bad. Because I think that for nearly 30 years, Yes has been producing some of the most incredible "alternative," progressive rock 'n' roll that you can find. It is complex, compelling, different and moving, and so is the music on Keys to Ascension 1. - Thanks.

This has to be my favorite Yes cd! The live tracks are superb! "Onward" is absolutely majestic; so much better than the version on "Tormato." Every song sounds more refreshed! "The Revealing Science Of God" is amazing! "Awaken," which incidentally happens to be my favorite Yes song of all-time is absolutely superb!! "Starship Trooper" and "Roundabout" are much better than the versions on "Yessongs!" "America" sounds great! "Siberian Khatru" sounds excellent! Of the two new songs, "That, That Is" and "Be The One," I find the only problem with the "crack time" lyrics on "That, That Is." The rest of the cd is absolutely perfect. This cd deserves a 10/10 or 5 stars!!!

ignoring the live part of this album (i''m not really into live albums), the new songs are on par with the best ABWH songs. what makes them better than anything from ABWH is alan white: not necessarily a better drummer than bruford, but his forceful drumming is inseperable from the yes rock sound. and although jon''s lyrics can tend to get new-agey (esp. "be the one") just as on ABWH, alan keeps the songs from getting too light. "that that is" is a bit choppy (again like ABWH) but its first few parts surpass anything trevor rabin thought up musically. and steve, rick, and chris are in great form (esp. chris who''s bass was missing from yes''s last album, "talk").

Yes returns in 1996 with a double live album recorded inSan Luis Obispo in March of 1996. The bands lineupreturns to: Jon Anderson Steve Howe Chris Squire Rick Wakeman Alan Whitewhich recorded the albums Tales From Topographic Oceans,Going For The One, and Tormato. The two tracks at theend of the second disc are new studio recordings. Thelive music is excellent - possibly the best live Yesrecording to date. The verdict is still out on the newmaterial.

First, let me say that Yes is one of my favorite bands of all time. I am a HUGE Yes fanatic. But on this album they sound like doddering old men trying to keep it together. Sometimes you have to know when to hang it up! Get 'Yessongs'!