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"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."
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2/5
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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
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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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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(1) COMMENT(S)
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The album may not have been released or the spotify ID has not yet been entered or there is no spotify ID available
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READERS
3/5 (7 view(s))
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STAFF:
2/5 (5 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH YES
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT YES
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