The final song on 2011’s Fly From Here is a powerful reminder that this weathered band can still produce compelling music. Yes’ “Into the Storm” employs multiple time signatures, a lead vocal handled by the Yes choir and deftly blended acoustic piano, organ and synthesizer parts, which feature both the returning Geoff Downes and then-recently departed Oliver Wakeman.
The younger Wakemen received a writing credit on “Into the Storm” with Benoit David, Trevor Horn and the rest of Yes (sans Geoff Downes), after contributing keyboards to “We Can Fly,” its reprise and “Hour of Need.”
The result is a bass-driven, melodically pulsating, accessible yet clearly progressive track which incorporates the strength of each Yes man, but doesn’t try to recreate the past.
Horn wisely includes multitrack Howe guitars, which compliment Chris Squire’s phased bass. Benoit David, in his only writing contribution, adds a refreshing lyrical perspective and his vocals on the chorus and strong and reassured. The re-recorded version on 2018’s Fly from Here: Return Trip doesn’t have the same vocal spark.
Equally up for the challenge is Alan White, who expertly navigates the time changes and brings life to the song. These are qualities missing in the next studio release, 2014’s Heaven & Earth.
Fly From Here proved that Yes was indeed the world’s greatest progressive rock band. Unfortunately, this lineup was short-lived, as Benoit David departed during the subsequent tour, and clouds would again circle the group.
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