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"After having fallen very low with "Open Your Eyes", Yes regains some of its greatness with "The Ladder", a quality but demanding album."
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4/5
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After the tragic "Open Your Eyes" released 2 years ago which saw the integration of Billy Sherwood as an official member, it is with a certain apprehension that Yes' new release, "The Ladder", was expected. To put all the assets on their side, the members of the band entrusted the production and the realization of their 18th studio album to the famous Bruce Fairbairn, famous for his achievements in the world of the hard-rock (Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, ACDC in particular), who will unfortunately pass away before the official release of the album.
Ideally placed at the beginning of the album, 'Homeworld' will quickly reassure all Yes fans despite a very modern production, in phase with its time, within which slip nevertheless some discreet sounds of keyboards 70's. We find here the atmosphere of "Talk", with developments that will satisfy the most demanding. The analogy with this album is also found in a second long track, 'New Language', whose dynamics are perfectly in tune with the new spirit of the band. This joyful dynamic is also present on the shorter tracks, and notably on the jubilant 'Face to Face', a cheerful anthem carried by a string section and a beautiful bass.
But beyond the pleasure of finding a band at the top of its form, "The Ladder" presents us with rather unexpected facets of Yes. First of all, there are elements of World Music that make 'Can I?' a new and totally refreshing breath, and that also accompany the coda of the album, for a succulent 'Nine Voices' that reminds the conclusion of 'Big Generator' ("Songs from Harmonic Convergence"). It is also a declination of reggae with a progressive sauce, in homage to Bob Marley, which comes deliciously titillating our curiosity ('The Messenger') or the evanescent end of 'Finally' which totally changes the limit funky color of its first part. In the middle of all these little pleasures, the too conventional 'If Only You Knew' barely tempers the enthusiasm aroused by the ten other tracks, delivered by masterly hands by excellent instrumentalists once again, impressive vocal harmonies and an excellent production, almost too clean.
Accustomed to roller coasters since the end of the 70's, Yes shows us once again its capacity to bounce back after an artistic disaster by delivering an album which will not necessarily catch the ears at the first listening but which reveals all its qualities with time. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Homeworld (the Ladder) - 9:32
02. It Will Be A Good Day (the River) - 4:54
03. Lightning Strikes - 4:35
04. Can I? - 1:32
05. Face To Face - 5:02
06. If Only You Knew - 5:43
07. To Be Alive (hep Yadda) - 5:07
08. Finally - 6:02
09. The Messenger - 5:13
10. New Language - 9:19
11. Nine Voices (longwalker) - 3:21
LINEUP:
Billy Sherwood: Guitares
Alan White: Batterie
Chris Squire: Chant / Basse
Igor Khoroshev: Claviers
Jon Anderson: Chant
Steve Howe: Guitares
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READERS
3.7/5 (3 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.8/5 (4 view(s))
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