YES - (1999) The Ladder

This just in: 90s Yes wasn't a complete waste of everyone's time!

That's right, The Ladder has to be mentioned alongside Fragile and The Yes Album among the best Yes has ever done. It's no Relayer, but the important part is that this is Yes making interesting, competent, progressive music, something I'm pretty sure few thought them capable of after Open Your Eyes. This is a conistently upbeat album with some impressive keyboard work from Igor Khoroshev (who will impress even the most diehard Rick Wakeman fan) and some of Chris Squire's best basslines since Fragile. Jon Anderson's energetic and inspired vocal performance show that he's still got it, Steve Howe hasn't stopped being one of the best guitarists ever, and Alan White is rock solid as always on drums. Billy Sherwood (a second guitarist the band brought on for Open Your Eyes) doesn't have too much of an influence here, but after what happened when he did, I don't think anyone will be too upset over that.

One of my concerns before listening to this was producer Bruce Fairbairn, who was known for producing such "classic" artists as Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and Kiss. Yet the crystal clear sound he gives Yes simply helps to stengthen an already tight performance from the band. Right off the bat with "Homeworld", it's clear Yes has returned to progressive greatness. While tracks like the smooth "If Only You Knew" have a little bit of pop influence, it's not the irritating 80s style that made 90125 and Big Generator stand out from the rest of the Yes catalog. "Face To Face", "To Be Alive", "The Messenger", all fantastic songs (despite a tiny bit of pop influence).

Track Listings

1. Homeworld (The Ladder) (9:33)
2. It Will Be A Good Day (The River) (4:53)
3. Lightning Strikes (4:34)
4. Can I? (1:32)
5. Face to Face (5:03)
6. If Only You Knew (5:42)
7. To Be Alive (Hep Yadda) (5:07)
8. Finally (6:01)
9. The Messenger (5:13)
10. New Language (9:19)
11. Nine Voices (Longwalker)(3:20)

Total Time: 60:17
Line-up/Musicians

- Jon Anderson / vocals
- Chris Squire / bass, harmonica, vocals
- Billy Sherwood / guitars, keyboards, vocals
- Alan White / drums, percussion, vocals
- Steve Howe / guitars, steel, mandolin, banjo, vocals
- Igor Khoroshev / keyboards and vocals