My favorite Album

[Angkor WHO??]

This is the first album I heard by Yes. I had no exposure to Yes other than what I heard on the radio. I saw the album in the bargain bin, and couldn't believe that Yes was still together. I was pleasently surprised when I heard it.
I like every song. I like everything about it. I like the masterful production work by Bruce (R.I.P). Squire and White are a tight functioning machine. Even Howe and Sherwood work well together. Howe plays the solos and fills, while Sherwood adds a modern flavor and is tastefully restrained.

This Yes album is what I call the "Happy" album. It just puts you in a good mood.

Let's go in depth, shall we? How about a thread for each song. Overindulgence is key to progressive rock.

[Dragonfly]

You'd be surprised how many people find their first Yes album to be their favorite. For me it was RELAYER; still my favorite.

My second Yes album was TORMATO, which is still up there on my list (though I did have to make room for CLOSE TO THE EDGE, now my 2nd favorite.)

I guess this band's music has a way of really changing people. That very first exposure is such a shock people must associate the positive influence of the band to that specific album. I don't see the same happening with other bands. For example, my first Pink Floyd album was THE WALL, but it's not my favorite. That award would go to either MEDDLE or ANIMALS. But I digress...

Dragonfly:yesbird:

[Dangermouse]

I liked this CD because it sounded like they were having fun playing together, and I always thought it'd be fun if you were a pretty talented musician, to play with other talented musicians. Strangely enough, I haven't had that impression from other CDs.
I usually end up listening to New Languages at a volume that is probably not good for my speakers or my ears.

[lindil]

To me it is a yes that really refound it's collective studio voice [havn't heard OYE] for the first time since Gft1. some of the Tormato thru Keys stuff is great but only drama (and 90125 and BG which suffer from too much Rabin influence] has a cohesive album sound and much of it plays weak in my memory . So Ladder has 2/3 rds great tunes and a couple i skip and a couple I can go either way on. but to me it is the first to break the 2/3rds good to great mark in a looooong time.

[lindil]

btw I got my first yes album at a ggaage sale for 10cents! - Fragile it was and I was 11 or so and very into JRRT - they dovetailed quite well in mind. But while i love fragile it is not my favorite . it ties w/ Relayer/CttE/An evening of Yes+/ and ladder for 2nd place Gft1 gets the top spot.

[Yes Oz]

I can't believe some of the "bagging" I've seen of this album. IMO it is a very good album, musically it is very sound and has some great passages. Vocally jon sounds as good as ever and the lyrics are not tooooooo way out for me. My favorite tracks are, Homeworld, If only you knew, The Messenger, and Nine Voices.

I think it is a much maligned album and is worth more people giving it a second chance.

[Angkor WHO??]

If you need a break from Magnification, this is a great album to do so with. Magnification is great, but listening to THE LADDER again gives you a whole new appreciation for this lineup, and keyboards too, for that matter!

[Paulias]

I think The Ladder is a wonderful uplifting album. The songs are just gorgeous. Some of Jon Anderson's lyrics are just beautiful, particularly 'If only you knew' which sounds straight from the heart. The band created something really special here and the track for the Homeworld game is a wonderful way to introduce new people to the band. The bits on the enhanced CD are also kinda neat. This could grow into one of my absolute favourites. Face to Face is particularly great.

[haroldthebarrel]

I've always seen the Ladder like this: The Ladder is to Yes what "LOAD" was to Metallica. Only take out all the fame and fortune:D

[Original_Shifty]

What if I don't know what Load sounds like? I don't listen to metallica. I guess I'm SooL ;)

[RobAdams]

The LADDER is great. Jon sounds terrific, Steve's guitar is tasty, Chris offers up some fine thumping, Igor shines like a Classic Yes member and Billy and Alan keep it together. A few weak tracks, but nothing is unbearable. A true return to form, makes the dull OYE look even duller. HOMEWORLD and NEW LANGUAGES are my two favorites. I like all the tiny pics in the booklet....And the little video about the HOMEWORLD game is sort of neat. It's a little better than TORMATO and not as good as GOING FOR THE ONE in my opinion. Slam LADDER if you want. I like it.

[haroldthebarrel]

What if I don't know what Load sounds like? I don't listen to metallica. I guess I'm SooL

---No, you're not SOL at all for missing out on Metallica's "LOAD" album. But to clear things up:

LOAD was Metallica's first album where they started becoming a "wussy band" as their fans would say. They cahgned their style ina desperate attempt for mega-mainstream attention. But of course Yes' attempt failed. Anyways, you ARE missing out if you've never heard "...And Justice for all" or "Master of Puppets" by Metallica. They are the only "Prog-metal" band that ever did it "right". Unlike wankers and show-offs like Dream Theatre, and all that.

Anyways, my beef with The Ladder is that it sounds too "Christian-Contemporary" to me. Like it should be an Amy Grant album or something. I like HOMEWORLD, and a few others, but as an album it sounded like Yes was trying too hard to appeal to the masses, and having Billy S. made it just annoying if anything else (to me). I can only listen to the first two tracks before I have to start skipping all the way to the last couple songs(this sucks, since it's on tape in my car, so I never listen to this album any more).

Compared to MAGNIFICATION, THE LADDER is crap! (spoken like Mike Myers in that "if it aint Scottish it's crap skit)
They did similar things with Don't Go on MAG, but at least it was only one song. Just compare what lots of people (including yes) think the best track from the LADDER is:

The Messenger (I think one of Yes' worst songs, an attempt to copy Trevor Rabin's writing stylesee: abominable sin )

Most people are saying either Dreamtime, Give love each day, or In the presence of, are the bes tracks on MAG, just compare how much better each is compared to any track on the Ladder...

[jaynote1]

love the intro into New Language......love the whole song, actually....Matter of fact, i think im going to put it on right now.................

[YesJen357]

I'm another 'Ladder Fan' who expresses great surprise that many fail to 'get' The Ladder. From the first playing of the album with it's amazing opener 'Homeworld' this one has grabbed me by the ears, and not let go!

It is a wonderfully inspiring and happy album for me. All tracks speak to me with their positivity and energy.
I'm sorry for all of you who don't 'get it.' - But then that's the way with YES music. You either get it, or you don't.....It's as simple as that.
One favourite bit on the House of Blues DVD for me, is in the extra's where you see the guys in studio playing excerpts from Homeworld and IOYK. How I wish I could see more than just those little video grabs of them playing!
I'll have more of The Ladder, please!

[stevie]

Whilst I wouldn't say it is my favourite album, it is right up there towards the top. I like every track on the album. Homeworld, It Will Be A Good Day and New Language are all classics IMO, I love To Be Alive and Finally the frenetic start and the gentle ending just marvellous. I even like If Only You Knew as I said I love every track on the album. I think the guys and Bruce Fairbairn did a brilliant job on this one.