YES

(UNITED KINGDOM)

THE QUEST

(2021)
LABEL:

INSIDEOUT MUSIC

GENRE:

PROGRESSIVE ROCK

TAGS:
High-pitched vocals, Old School, Symphonic
"If it appears clearly a tone above its predecessor, "The Quest" rarely gets rid of a kind of sticky languor that the delicacy of the acoustic parts doesn't always manage to get out of the boredom."
TONYB (30.09.2021)  
2/5
(0) opinions (1) comment(s)
At a time when our heroes of the 70's are dead or at best revisiting their past in more or less definitive farewell tours, Yes, even if it falls somewhat in this second category with its tours revisiting successively its different albums, takes the risk to continue to publish new music and, even if the rhythm is far from being frenetic (three studio albums in two decades, one of which is revisited), the release of "The Quest" provided with its classic but superb artwork due once again to Roger Dean remains an event.

After the very disappointing "Heaven and Earth", and under the leadership of Steve Howe who took care of a large part of the album's production, the beginning proposed by "The Ice Bridge" is rather engaging, maybe not for the ultimate fan of the band in search of more complexity or virtuosity, but at least for any enlightened fan of the band. A rumbling bass, some guitar protrusions, a catchy melody, some keyboards flourishes, the whole thing follows cleanly, with an interesting second instrumental part, although it ends up going in circles.

The continuation will be articulated around 'Leave Well Alone', central track of the album and the most progressive piece of the whole, beginning with hints of Asia supported by a bouncing rhythmic, before a simplistic basic four-beat comes to break somewhat the initial enchantment. The developments nevertheless allow Steve Howe to express himself through not very complex but pleasant soli, before Billy Sherwood's bass comes to plant some traditional rises in the high notes.

And since we evoke here the rhythmic, it is the point which is annoying in this 22nd realization of the group: except for some beats against time or two or three descents of tom, the least that one can say is that the parts of Alan White are particularly ordinary, dragging with them certain titles in a languor that a certain poet would have qualified at a time of monotonous ('Minus the Man', 'Music to my Ears', 'A Living Island'). And we will forget here the three bonus tracks of very relative interest.

As a result, it is Steve Howe who is particularly highlighted in the numerous acoustic passages, with notably the nice 'Future Memories' where his duet with Jon Davison hits the nail on the head, as well as during the solos, which are certainly less spectacular than before, but always carried by an inimitable touch.

At the moment of concluding, we have to admit that this quest proposed by an emblematic band of the progressive scene leaves us rather circumspect and if it clearly appears a tone above its predecessor, "The Quest" rarely gets rid of a kind of sticky languor that the delicacy of the acoustic parts doesn't always manage to get out of the boredom. Problem of inspiration? Too clean realization? Memories that stick to the skin of the band and its fans? Difficult to decide at this time, only time will allow to improve (or not) this opinion.
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. The Ice Bridge
02. Dare To Know
03. Minus The Man
04. Leave Well Alone
05. The Western Edge
06. Future Memories
07. Music To My Ears
08. A Living Island
09. Sister Sleeping Soul
10. Mystery Tour
11. Damaged World

LINEUP:
Alan White: Batterie
Billy Sherwood: Basse
Geoff Downes: Claviers
Jon Davison: Chant / Guitares
Steve Howe: Guitares
   
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YESSONG
30/09/2021
 
1
1
Le dernier album intéressant de YES, pour, moi, est "Magnification". Album qui date déjà de 20 ans. Si l'on désire découvrir ce groupe et faire un tour dans ce que YES a fait de mieux, il faut se replonger dans l'abum live "Yessongs".
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