The last Yes studio project to date has a lot going for it as a rock album, yet fails to reach the heights expected of the world’s greatest progressive rock band.
Yes started is a good place, with an intent to incorporate new lead singer Jon Davison into the writing process while treading new ground with an accessible yet progressive sound. Unfortunately, 2014’s Heaven and Earth doesn’t quite hit the mark.
“Believe Again,” written by Davison and Steve Howe, starts things off in beautiful fashion. While not a powerhouse opening track like “Fly from Here: Overture” or “Machine Messiah,” the mid-tempo rocker hits most of the right notes. Davison, the fourth Yes lead vocalist, has an assured, breezy voice that combines elements of his style and Jon Anderson’s. His lyrics are positive and spiritual in the Yes tradition.
Chris Squire and Steve Howe provide prominent backing vocals which also fit the legacy quite nicely, and are perfectly integrated and backing-vocal producer/mixer Billy Sherwood. Despite the auto-tuning employed by producer Roy Thomas Baker, all the vocals seem natural and stellar.
Steve Howe’s music is less complicated melodically than his usual fare, but he provides a tight rock foundation with a progressive mid-song break down. Unfortunately, the breakdown seems half baked, as Howe’s chord progression sounds like a placeholder in a demo and Geoff Downes’ ’80s-style keyboard feels out of place. Howe has said on more than one occasion that the wrong guitar parts where included in the final mix.
Most disturbing is the song’s listless drum backing. Alan White’s playing on this song and most of the album does not reach his previously high standards of excellence, and producer Baker seemed unwilling or unable to muster any ideas to create a spark. The drum multi-tracking and bongos make the song sound like a subpar Doobie Brothers song from the ’70s.
Steve Howe’s feelings about this era are well documented in his recent autobiography. Perhaps, with more time and/or a more active producer, the album could have been forged into greatness. Nevertheless, “Believe Again” launches the project on a somewhat positive step. “The Game,” the late Chris Squire’s best contribution to Heaven and Earth, then keeps the momentum going.
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