SoundPress.net CD Review: YES

YES - FLY FROM HERE
A SoundPress.net CD Review

SoundPress.net CD Review: YES - Fly From Here

"...and we can fly from here, on the understanding, that we can fly..."

In 2011, progressive rock pioneers YES are a brand new band yet again. A new singer and a new album has given them wings as they release their first full-length studio record in over a decade.

On Fly From Here, YES emerge from the hangar where they have been retooling and rebuilding their famed musical craft. After all the drama surrounding the departure of singer Jon Anderson and the ascension of vocalist Benoit David to his role it makes sense that the band would return to the Drama-era team of Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes to help them take flight into this new era of the great unknown.

What is known is that this is a very good release from the guys forty-plus years on in their career who are viewing this moment in their history as a fresh start. On the single "We Can Fly" the band states "...and we can fly from here, on the understanding, that we can fly..." relaying their knowledge that they know they are apt at what they do as they ask their vast global fan base to come along on the journey.

On Fly From Here YES acknowledges the change and the challenges they face in moving on without their much-loved singer Jon Anderson. The themes of rebirth, reformation and restoration return often on the much anticipated album that clocks in at over 47 minutes.

A quick turn of the prop and the album opens with the six-part Fly From Here suite that draws heavily on the band's classic 70's style. Traces of the classic YES sound abound welded with a contemporary approach. The opener is a 23-minute dynamic parable about life and what we are to do with it.

The central focus is the long-neglected aircraft that is undergoing a revival in order to fly again. The message is hopeful, but there's an urgency as the band sings on the single "We Can Fly" - "every day that you wait (waste) is one more that you lost." They understand now that there's limited time to fly.

"Sad Night At The Airfield" talks about starting the plane's engines just to hear them break the silence with "that last intake of air" - a sad reminder that we'll all experience that some day and "face the dawn alone". Chris Squire's bass section adds to the melancholy yet melodious mood culminating with some piercing and eerie stellar slide work from guitar legend Steve Howe.

When the engines really get fired the band moves into "The Man You Always Wanted Me To Be". This track embodies more of the elements of the 80's era 90125 sound that made YES a phenomenal commercial success. Yet, it is still all new. Here the themes of beginning again and the joys of discovering an alternative flight plan continue on as bassist Squire sings, "we are no longer lost we have found ourselves anew."

On this album there are plenty of thoughtful lyrics and lots of strong YES harmonies. Benoit David on vocals establishes his own range of fluctuations and is not simply duplicating or imitating the tones Jon Anderson helped make the band famous with. He is putting his own signature on the songs and does a fine job filling big shoes. Today, he's up to the task as much as producer Horn was 30 years earlier.

From here, the band flies into uncharted territory. The trajectory is set for an album-oriented style fueled by YESsisms with some new maneuvers thrown in this flight out. "Life On A Film Set" is active and frenetic. On "Hour Of Need" - an acoustic based number that gets down with Geoff Downes on synth - Benoit reminds fans that the band is counting on them as the countdown begins on the next leg of their adventure when he sings "...either we sink or swim..." without them.

Guitarist and vocalist Steve Howe soars solo on the lovely "Solitaire". He has an extensive role of filling the albums with his brand of lavish leads and textures. Geoff Downes, the Drama-era keyboard player adds sonic synth, organ and piano throughout to add power, pulsation and propulsion to the flight. Benoit David is versatile and only really turns on "The Anderson" on one track. His work is steady and promising on his recorded debut with YES.

On track 11 the band fly straight "Into The Storm" - the album's climatic and upbeat closer. The song boldly moves ahead on Benoit's hook and the inspiring chorus with an angelic theme. As the album closes it's clear that the passenger plane we see at the beginning of the record has transformed into a star fleet vessel as the Benoit-led band begins its maiden voyage. Future points of call should be interesting!

Overall, we found Fly From Here to be an enlightening updraft of positivity - this flight feels good! All told it's forward looking, loaded with optimism and often hauntingly hypnotic. YES have chosen a lofty trajectory and they have set the bar high for this charged up and energized edition of the band. Now, they need you to go along for the ride.

• Info: -- UK 2011: www.yesworld.com (Richard J. Lynch/SoundPress.net)

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