I likes this one....

[1yesfan]

While many fans didn't care for this album I liked it, and still do!
Sure it didn't turn out as a CTTE type of album but I liked most all the tunes on the album. To this day I still think that if it had got more air time it would have been more of a commercial hit. As much as Magnification blows OYE out of the water I feel that given equal play time most of todays listers would opt for most of the OYE stuff.
What do you think?

[Angkor WHO??]

Fortune Seller is good, From the Balcony is great

But there is just something about it that keeps it from getting any more spins than the other discs. I think the first two tracks sound more "eighties" than the eighties albums themselves did! Howe got some great acoustic sound, although it was used sparingly.
The second half of the disc just kind of lumps together in the 4-6 minute category leaving little variation or surprise.

But, it IS Yes, and I'm a YESWHOLE, therefore I must like it.

Paul

[Dragonfly]

I really like this album. "New State of Mind", "Universal Garden" and "The Solution" are my favorites.

I really thought they'd play "New State of Mind" on the tour. Actually, I thought they'd play four or five songs. The title cut and "From the Balcony" weren't enough to make a satisfactory offering (the title cut not being one of my faves.) One of the nicest parts of the evening, however, was Jon and Steve sharing the stage for their "Balcony" duet. A very nice moment. (This tour also gave us our only KEYS TO ASCENSION tune, live: "Children of Light".)

I have to say I prefer this Sherwood/Squire offering over Squire’s FISH OUT OF WATER. FISH OUT OF WATER, on the other hand, has terrific orchestral moments not unlike today's MAGNIFICATION. (Now where have I taken this thread?)

Dragonfly:yesbird:

"Over and under and down we go. Caught at the crossroads - Which way to go? Choosing the right path? Only you know."

[brismike]

Regarding "Open Your Eyes" .. I think this is a great album by Yes. Pity they almost ignored it when they toured it in 1997. My favourite song on OYE, don't laugh' is "Loveshine". This song just rocks along and does it for me!

This is a review I found of the album on Half.Com which was obviously written just as the album was released.........
**************
Yes is a finely tuned machine that keeps on running like an antique car in mint
condition. There is no reason for the band to change the signature features that make
it what it is and make it great. On OPEN YOUR EYES classical guitars give way to
sudden explosions of virtuoso electric solos; synthesizers soar off into the stratosphere
and a dizzying array of incongruous elements all fall into line to create a symbiotic and
unified sound.

But the jewels in the Yes crown are the ethereal vocals; the synchronized dissonant
and concordant harmonies that at once conjure Gregorian chant, space travel, and the
heavenly firmament itself. If the Sistine Chapel ceiling could sing out at you, it would
probably sound like Yes.

For fans, the pristine pedestal on which the band perches will remain soundly unshaken; OPEN YOUR EYES is exactly what they do best, just more ofit. The lyrical theme is predominantly enlightenment, tolerance and abiding, unmarred hope. It's the alternative to alternative...disciplined, earnest and magical. For non-initiates OPEN YOUR EYES is a perfect eye-opener into the distinctive world of YES.
*****************

A pretty good review I thought.

Mike

[InverYes]

I'll go along with Brismike on this one. Comments elsewhere on the site are pretty damning about it but having just bought it I'd say it's pretty good. The one exception being Man in The Moon.

I'd opt for No Way We Can Lose as my favourite track - so far!