Ladder

[SKEETER]

I like The Ladder, but, it is not nearly as inspired as Magnification. Yes are still the masters at being able to use technology transparently. I think the thing that I don't like about The Ladder is the production and the keyboard sounds. They are interesting sounds, but they just for some reason do not sound like YES. They have YES style sounds, but there is something about the way they are in the mix that make them weak, or not real dynamic or something, I just cannot put my finger on it. The songs are well written though, and it is very listenable, this is more a YES album you would put on as backround music to something than for critical listening. This is still a far better CD than most of the music that is around now. I would say, compared to other YES albums, it is average, compared to most currently popular music, it is miles ahead.