The second Yes epic from 1999’s The Ladder has almost been forgotten, since it follows a string of wonderful songs. Luckily, “New Language” continues the streak.
Igor Khoroshev’s church organ-like Yamaha synthesizer opening harkens to the main sequence of classic Yes albums, yet sounds entirely at home with Steve Howe’s clean Gibson guitar sound. Again, Alan White delivers a nuanced and powerful performance, and Chris Squire’s bass is equally up to the task.
Khoroshev’s Hammond sound adds even more textures then gives way to an electric piano sound before another time signature change and a very Jon Anderson-sounding lyric about the language of love. The first two minutes of “New Language” could have been a great Yes song all by itself.
This is not to say the remaining six and a half minutes isn’t great. Anderson again digs deep into his lyrical bag of tricks. Equally up to the task is the Yes choir, who will never sound this full again.
In fact, if there’s a downside to “New Language,” it’s that Yes has not been as vital and potent on any studio recording since. Of course, this also stands as one of the last studio recordings this version of Yes ever made, since they would soon say goodbye to Ivor Khoroshev and Billy Sherwood.
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