From the Vault...

04/29/2012
#1305

info
Yes
"90125"


© Atco Records

Year of Release: 1983
Rating:

track listing
  • Owner Of A Lonely Heart
  • Hold On
  • It Can Happen
  • Changes
  • Cinema
  • Leave It
  • Our Song
  • City Of Love
  • Hearts

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    Yes
    "90125"



    Yes has been known as one the best bands in Progressive music. Their best years were in the 1970s. Not one album nor one song of theirs reached #1. In 1983, their album 90125 (named after the album's catalogue number), achieved a #1 hit in "Owner Of A Lonely Heart," which is a great tune. (Yet the video is quite unusual, from what I remember.) The band had broken up in 1981, yet to return 2 years later, with the return of lead vocalist Jon Anderson, and the return of the band's original keyboardist, Tony Kaye. (Rick Wakeman is probably considered the band's best and well-known keyboardist.)


    From 1981 to 1983, Yes had a new singer (Trevor Horn) and keyboardist (Geoff Downes). This new lineup was short lived. Another project in the works was the band XYZ, consisting of members of Yes and Led Zeppelin. Throughout the talks of this band becoming in existence, it never was really accomplished, due to music differences. ANother band was in the works from Yes, the band called Cinema. Band members Chris Squire, Alan White and Trevor Rabin had songs in the works for both XYZ and Cinema. Impressed by the Cinema songs, Jon Anderson considered a Yes reunion.


    The band's 1970s work definitely defines it's own sound of its decade. Listening to 90125 Yes updated their sound to the 1980s Rock. "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" definitely has its "Pop" atmosphere, although being another great song. "Hold On" continues the Pop atmosphere. "It Can Happen" was another huge hit from the album.


    "Changes" brings back somewhat the 1970s Progressive sound; definitely more of a Progressive song, than Pop. "Cinema" is an instrumental, also having a more Progressive approach.


    "Leave It" is another great (and powerful) Yes song, as it was another huge hit.


    "Our Song" has a more 1980s sound, as this song has a little bit of another 1980s band, REO Speedwagon in some places (especially in the beginning). Sounding more of a typical Yes song towards the end, it's another good tune. "City Of Love" just may get the nod of "least favorite" to listen to. Likewise the same can be said for the last song, "Hearts."


    Yes' 90125 is an excellent album overall - with a little bit of the old Yes, merging with the new. Thanks to MTV, their videos of "Owner Of A Lonely Heart," "Leave It" and "It Can Happen" opened doors to more fans, young and old alike. Not only to MTV, but these three songs received heavy airplay on FM stations. Yes would have some success on their followup album to 90125, Big Generator. Rick Wakeman would rejoin Yes for future releases. By 1994 Wakeman left again, as the band recorded an album in 1994 (Talk). Wakeman returned in 1996 for Keys To Ascension. By 1997, Wakeman left again, as they released Open Your Eyes, in 1999, The Ladder. In 2001, Magnification was released, performed with a full orchestra. Wakeman once again returned in 2002 for a tour, and a 35th anniversary collection. Yes then took a break, returning in 2008 for a 40th anniversary tour, with Oliver Wakeman (Rick's son) as keyboardist. Vocalist Jon Anderson announced he was displeased in not touring with Yes, as Yes recruited a new singer, Benoit David (who had been a singer in a Yes tribute band). In 2010, Oliver Wakeman was replaced (against his own wishes) by Geoff Downes. Fly From Here was released in 2011. In 2012, Benoit was replaced due to illness, by another Yes tribute singer, Jon Davidson.


    What an incredible journey...





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