Why does everyone hate this album so much?

[Judge Judy]

I started looking into post-90125 Yes a few weeks ago, and in my travels I saw a lot of really, really negative feedback for "Open Your Eyes." I wanted to make up my own mind though and at least hear what everyone was so upset about.

Well, I'm listening to it right now, and I'm almost through with it, and I have to say that my first impression is actually pretty strong. Maybe it's just a case of having expectations so low that it was easy to exceed them, but I'm enjoying this and I just don't see what everyone hates so much about this album. Off the top of my head I can think of at least five other Yes albums that are infinitely more deserving of scorn than this one.

Help me out here. What is so terrible about this album? I'm just not hearing it. I can even see listening to this album... AGAIN.

[YepMan]

I didn't hate it at all. It isn't their best work, but it is a good album and was indicative of where the band stood at that moment. I only wish that I could find my copy to listen to it again.

[Dr.Bass]

I really like this album, as I also love Squire/Sherwood's Conspiracy albums. I have no idea why it is often called 'Close your Ears' etc, just because it's not an Anderson/Howe classic style album I guess. It is one of the few albums that hangs together really well, rather than being a hodge-podge of material (Tormato anyone?)

[yarstruly]

I've always liked it myself....

[sparky]

Let´s just face it; A lot of people love the band for what they did in the 70s - the sounds, the style, the musical structure. Later, Yes became something a very different - almost a different band. There will always be those who love the classic stuff and feel disappointed with the later material. Maybe, it´s easier if one look upon it as two different bands. I haven´t really bothered about Yes releases after 90125 which means I never had to be disappointed - they´ve given me so much joy over the years so what they do now is entirely up to them. I still love them whatever they do - they´re like these slightly embarrasing uncles - sometimes they get on your nerves, but, hey! They´re family and you still love them... But I don´t feel I have to buy all their new releases...

[Thoughtbecontact]

The worst thing about OYE is that the boys were MADE to produce it, forced into it, so to speak, before the creative muse was entirely ready. Thus, it's unfinished to a certain extent. The production, thatnks to Billly Sherwood, is marvelous. It also has a sort of Rabineque or Conspiracy feel to it, and coming on the heels of the Trooper-veined Keys, that boded ill for many. OYE was completely different in style to Keys, and thus, the Yes traditionalists view it as not "good."

[gus]

I also like the album (Great CD to workout with, since it’s so upbeat) but it definitely has its weak points lyrically. But the musicianship on the album is very tight and strong. After saying that it’s definitely better than Yes’ first two albums or 90125Live, but after that it’s hard to find an album that ranks lower in quality (but I still like it).

Sparky is right, many are so entrenched in the old days that they don’t even give this album a chance (It’s unfortunate). And Thoughtbecontact is also correct when he says it’s not old style Yes, so traditionalists dislike it (another unfortunate).

Another couple of reasons why people might sour on the album, the strong presence of Billy Sherwood on this album is one. As mentioned above a lot of these songs were Squire/Sherwood compositions. Jon Anderson fans are a little turned off by this album, as it sounds like a Squire/Sherwood album, not a Yes album. Also Steve Howe said he was severely disappointed in this album and felt it was rushed. When fans hear a band member gripe about the album then the fans gripe about the album (bandwagon).

[Faceintheplace]

I'm not like some people, I don't think its the worst album in the world but I would say its my least favorite Yes album. The thing is there's some great songs on here, some songs I like alot like Universal Garden, Open Your Eyes, Fourtune Seller, Wonderlove, From the Balcony, The Solution and I didn't like New State of Mind at first but its growing on me.

But then there's the rest of the album. Man in the Moon to me is one big UGH, No Way We Can Lose I can't get into, Love Shine is too poppy for me and I'll admit my bias, my favorite Yes in 70s Yes but I think Love Shine has the worst chorus ever in a Yes song (1-2-3-4-5-6-7 All good people gotta feel the love???). I liked the idea of Yes doing Jon's great song Boundaries/ Somehow Someday but this arrangement is not very good. It starts nicely enough but then the huge guitar and durms and stadium rock feel that comes in crushes the nice little folk song to death. It sounds like no one can agree what tempo its in and the result is it sounds like Godzilla stepping on a cupcake.

So yeah, I've managed to find something I like on every Yes album but this is the one I revisit the least for sure.

[Peparias]

It seems that the problem of this disc is at the moment from its exit to the market, inmendiatamente after Keys 1 and 2, because there was much expectation of which it could be a new disc of Yes with Steve Howe, was expected something similar to keys, and suddenly oh surprise, a quite pop disc and with few parts for the virtuosity, but "sung more". I felt nonsingle disappointed but inclusively betrayed and was of whom they called Close Your Ears, without knowledge that others also would call it thus. Nevertheless, following the 2 discs seemed to me a return to the correct direction, as they say some the best works from Going for the One. But in these days, and tired to wait for some new material with the classic formation, I have been put to listen to Open Your Eyes the light of the made thing in The Ladder and the disc in truth has grown in my, I enjoy it enough, it seems to me a quite even disc (except for Man in the Moon that before detested it, but now I can listen to it), with great vocal harmonies and a sound of quality, I believe that without this disc The Ladder would not exist, because it represents the necessary transition. I invite to that they pleased of 2 last discs of Yes to listen to this disc and I guarantee to them that they will enjoy it as I now enjoy it.

[Peparias]

With respect to choir "1-2-3-4-5-6-7 all good people...", I believe that it is a graceful reference to the choir used by the Beatles in Abbey Road: "1-2-3-4-5-6-7 all good children go to heaven"

[Steve St Thomas]

I took a listen to it recently, actually very recently, especially after buying Conspiracy's The Unknown on a trip to America.

Well, it's definitely a Squire/Sherwood album for sure. And I'm just not that big a fan of Billy Sherwood, to be a fair judge if its a good Yes album or not. I have enough Yes albums to put it against, but I don't even think that leaves me objective about it, because I was still devastated that Trevor Rabin was gone. And who's this Sherwood character writing Rabin-like songs. That was my attitude at the time. Slightly elitist, slightly up-nosed. I just didn't think he was anywhere as good as Rabin, and TALK was just miles beyond what Open Your Eyes turned out to be. My view kind of was, you went back to 'that' to produce 'this'? You shoulda stuck with 'that'. But time passes, I know the ruin of YESWEST was 1988, and then UNION just totally destroyed it. (I can still hear that imaginary Yes song on the Armageddon soundtrack . . . )

But I think I felt recently that New State of Mind and Open Your Eyes were really good. I thought that at the time. But after that, it just kind of faded. And I think what the problem is with me and YES post-1996, is that when the song is done, I cannot remember how they honestly go. You can ask me, do you know From The Balcony, and I would say, I know for sure its by Yes, and I know it's on Open Your Eyes. If they said, sing me the melody, I just couldn't. I don't remember how that song goes at all. I know how Lightning Strikes goes from The Ladder, and Magnification / Can You Imagine / Don't Go / Spirit of Survival go, but that's it. I can't remember a single other song. The only thing that reminds me how That, That Is goes, is that it sounds like XTC's Snowman, which I know by heart. I know I liked Mind Drive, but don't ask me how that goes either. And I find that really horrifying actually, in a band that even though I don't like Awaken, I know how it goes. It's not their fault really, or maybe it's 50/50 between me and them. As soon as Rabin left, it seems my memory left as well. Disinterest?

I can remember Man In The Moon kinda sorta. I thought it was ok, but it was so Squire / Sherwood, i wasn't sure what Yes were doing. It just kind of felt like 2 people were doing the work of 4 (not including Alan - he makes everything work). I think Open Your Eyes is when I began to switch off, but kept buying albums to support the band and their work.
And to hear what Squire & White could do this time. And who'd show up on an album!

So I guess my verdict is, I listened to it in the past 2 weeks, but can only remember 2 songs from it. And I remember Anderson's lyrics were really starting to turn me off for the 2nd time since Ascension.

[illusion]

I hate it because it's crap. End of story. For me at least.

[Steve St Thomas]

I hate it because it's crap. End of story. For me at least.

Okay, usually I don't go for that kind of response. But that actually made me laugh. Forgive me Yes, for condoning this review of your album with a giggle. Very funny though, so succinct.

[True Believer]

I don't hate it, it's not my favourite by a mile but there are some good tracks.

[smatt]

I simply rank it very low on the Yes scale......

I think it's a cobbled together album that is very inconsistant, and really doesn't have any songs that really pull it up. Sure it's got a couple decent songs, but nothing that really jumps out at me. I think it really suffered from a rush job. I don't really hate about 1/2 of it though........ Just my opinion though.

[TNyesfan]

Who was it on this site
who used to call it
"Poke Out Your Eyes"
a couple of years ago?

[smatt]

Who was it on this site
who used to call it
"Poke Out Your Eyes"
a couple of years ago?


Sounds kind of like a Donism (yessongs72)


:lmao:

[illusion]

Okay, usually I don't go for that kind of response. But that actually made me laugh. Forgive me Yes, for condoning this review of your album with a giggle. Very funny though, so succinct.

I lose respect for anyone who says "Oh its all Yes music, you can't hate it, blah blah blah".

OF COURSE I CAN! And I will.

You haven't seen my review of Union yet:).

[Wild Westie]

I'm fond of the epics - CTTE is my favorite. I first heard "Leave It" while sunbathing on a beach in Hawaii. Wow, I thought, the vocals are amazing. I was in heaven. I heard this on a top-40 radio station, so this was a big surprise for me. Radio friendly - going commerical? The beginning of "Changes" is great - multi-layered and complicated. That's the only part of the song I enjoy. So it's "Leave It" and the beginning of "Changes" for me. I was so happy to hear my favorite band in heavy rotation on the radio.

[smatt]

I lose respect for anyone who says "Oh its all Yes music, you can't hate it, blah blah blah".

OF COURSE I CAN! And I will.

You haven't seen my review of Union yet:).


:cussing: Hey man don't bash Union... That's the greatest Yes album ever!


:dog:

[rememberer]

It's no Keystudio exactly -- I didn't find OYE that catchy at first, the long track at the end with crickets and snippets from the songs was a good test of how open my ears were, I would hear the snippets and quiz myself, "okay what song was that from?" and for like the first four listens, I couldn't tell you. But I've never found it to be that unlistenable, and especially not as unlistenable as some people have made it out to be.

It was also a great line-up that did a great tour, especially when you can get your hands on a live recording of it where you can hear everyone well. I still tend to think of Igor as a piece of furniture or a coat rack or something as an old habit, but when you can actually hear him well, he's really quite good. They all sounded pretty hot.

[Steve St Thomas]

I lose respect for anyone who says "Oh its all Yes music, you can't hate it, blah blah blah".

OF COURSE I CAN! And I will.

You haven't seen my review of Union yet:).

Whoah whoah I wasn't coming down on ya! I thought it was funny. It's just my view of when it comes down to saying this sucks, this is crap at an artist's site, I have to kind of refrain. I can't stand Arriving U.F.O. nor Awaken, and maybe I'm just verbose, but I try and say the reasons why. But HOW you said that I thought was just hilarious. And I've posted at enough McCartney threads to know how people can be back to ya, even if you present it constructively, or what is it you like about this??????? It's the first time I've actually laughed at a '' its crap'' type comment.

I don't even bother writing reviews of UNION. The project kind of makes me a bit sick remembering it, to think about it, and what it did to their future.

[smatt]

Whoah whoah I wasn't coming down on ya! I thought it was funny. It's just my view of when it comes down to saying this sucks, this is crap at an artist's site, I have to kind of refrain. I can't stand Arriving U.F.O. nor Awaken, and maybe I'm just verbose, but I try and say the reasons why. But HOW you said that I thought was just hilarious. And I've posted at enough McCartney threads to know how people can be back to ya, even if you present it constructively, or what is it you like about this??????? It's the first time I've actually laughed at a '' its crap'' type comment.

I don't even bother writing reviews of UNION. The project kind of makes me a bit sick remembering it, to think about it, and what it did to their future.


:cussing: Now wait just a darned minute here bucko....... You gush all over Big Generator, and you can't stand Awaken........ :nono: I think we can now see who's sick around here ;)


:smurf:

[Steve St Thomas]

:cussing: Now wait just a darned minute here bucko....... You gush all over Big Generator, and you can't stand Awaken........ :nono: I think we can now see who's sick around here ;)


:smurf:

Wait --- did I say that out loud?

Nurse --- I did ask for more Thorazine did I not????? Then why is it not at my bedside table as requested.

Sponge please.

[Jackaranda]

It seems that the more time that goes by the more I like this album. It's kinda "Yes with sugar" to me. Not great, not bad, and it had some good songs, especially Universal Garden, From the Balcony and The Solution.

[shortexchanges]

I enjoy the album. Short Exchanges comes from the title song. The vocals and harmonies are very strong. Immaculate production. Man on the moon should have been edited out. Wonderlove has some killer guitar from steve. The feeling is very upbeat and positive.

I wish they had showcased more than the title track when they toured back then.

[Vic Anderson]

i oye did not have man in the moon and loveshine

it would have had way better reviews

the rest of the songs are great songs

[neilius]

I tried listening to this album after reading a similar post a couple of weeks back, but only managed to listen to the first five tracks.

I like the ambient bird/beach noises at the end (hidden track?) with the sudden burst of vocal harmonies. All this aside, Its one of their worst IMO.

[neilius]

I tried listening to this album after reading a similar post a couple of weeks back, but only managed to listen to the first five tracks.

I like the ambient bird/beach noises at the end (hidden track?) with the sudden burst of vocal harmonies. All this aside, Its one of their worst IMO.

[dead_groundhog]

the title track gets stuck in my head often enough, love the live version of it for some reason more so then the album cut. don't care much for the rest of the album though, from the balcony is very pretty though.

[illusion]

Whoah whoah I wasn't coming down on ya! I thought it was funny. It's just my view of when it comes down to saying this sucks, this is crap at an artist's site, I have to kind of refrain. I can't stand Arriving U.F.O. nor Awaken, and maybe I'm just verbose, but I try and say the reasons why. But HOW you said that I thought was just hilarious. And I've posted at enough McCartney threads to know how people can be back to ya, even if you present it constructively, or what is it you like about this??????? It's the first time I've actually laughed at a '' its crap'' type comment.

I don't even bother writing reviews of UNION. The project kind of makes me a bit sick remembering it, to think about it, and what it did to their future.

Yes I know. I think I also gave you positive rep for laughing at my post!

It's just that in the past there have been people to criticise saying that "it's Yes you have to love it blah blah" and that annoys me. It's my opinion and if it's crap I'll say so!

Arriving UFO isn't very exciting, no, but you don't like Awaken... :harp: ?