A band of ever shifting factions, Yes has produced great music born through its unity – and sometimes decisiveness. Their 1997 album Open Your Eyes contains many strong songs, but it certainly could have benefited for more of a unified vision.
Steve Howe has said in occasion that he loves the album – from “Wonderlove” on. Perhaps if the guitarist had travelled to America earlier in the production process, Open Your Eyes would have presented a more unified vision. Perhaps if the record company had waited 12 more months and invested promotional efforts and money in a Keys to Ascension studio release then moved on to Open Your Eyes, Yes band could’ve had a stronger third act as a recording entity.
Perhaps. Yet, in reality, Yes’ days of a multi-platinum act were over, not because of the quality of their albums, but because their fan base diminished due to age and shifting musical taste. The fact that any version of the world’s greatest progressive rock band exists to tour (and make live album after live album) is amazing – and, for that, I’m thankful.
I’m also thankful for this simple Howe/Anderson collaboration. “From the Balcony” manages to tie in this project’s new-state-of-mind theme with lovely Howe six-string fretwork and simple, yet effective lyrics from Anderson on a broader theme involving Yes, the music industry and life.
Howe and Anderson don’t break any new ground here, but “From the Balcony” works on so many levels that it’s lack of progress is just fine. Perhaps if there were more unified creative moments like this between Howe, Anderson and Squire, the direction of the band would have creatively continued to peak after the next album, The Ladder. Perhaps.
- Mark Anthony K. Discusses Projekt Gemineye’s ‘Canada: Stories and Legends’ - November 16, 2024
- Projekt Gemineye – ‘Canada: Stories and Legends’ (2024) - November 9, 2024
- Jonathan Powell – ‘Mambo Jazz Party’ (2024) - November 3, 2024
