If Yes’ “That, That Is” had been included on an album of all-new material, rather than on the hybrid studio/live release Keys to Ascension, perhaps the song would have garnered more recognition.
The 19-minute epic starts with Steve Howe’s classical guitar-inspired “Together” section, which floats over genial waves of Rick Wakeman synthesizers. By the time the song morphs into the next section – a Jon Anderson/Chris Squire composition titled “Crossfire,” which is available as a separate song on the In a Word compilation – “That, That Is” has built into a simmering rhythmic dance between Squire’s bass, Alan White’s drums and Howe’s angular fretwork.
Anderson’s lead vocals are strong, yet the lyrical theme is overshadowed by the rocky waves of the song. “The Giving Things” section, written by Anderson and Howe, brings the pace back down and seems to be an awkward transition. “That Is” throws in dense harmonies, and a time change which quickly becomes the Anderson/White composed “All in All” section.
Rick Wakeman’s presence is more prominent on piano but, at almost 12 minutes in, I can’t help but think “That, That Is” is a collection of interesting song fragments which are well played and recorded sound yet a bit tacked together. “How Did Heaven Begin” sounds all too familiar and “Agree to Agree,” while an interesting guitar and bass passage seems like it should have been left off and developed into its own song.
Perhaps Keys to Ascension tries too hard to sound like the main-sequence period of Yes, but it does at least try. Unfortunately, given the changing industry and little record company support, No. 99 is the best the album could muster on the U.S. album chart.
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