Is it time to reassess Yes in the 1990s?

[alex peters]

If you hit 55 Homers drive in 120 RBI's and have a 335 batting average every year for 10 years you only have 1 way to go and that is down.

That is what Yes did in the 1970's. They had a few really good years after that but the so so albums far outnumbered the good ones.

[Mr. Holland]

Yes were probably more popular in the 80s than the 90s but they were more prolific in the 90s. Which decade had the better albums? Well, that's hard to say. I would say it evens out.

No contest for me: the 80s. Three 80s albums are in my top 10 favourite Yes albums (Drama, 90125, Big Generator), while only one 90s album makes that top 10 (Talk). As I said in a previous post, the 90s had some great tracks amongst their albums, but the albums as a whole where often less good IMO.

[Soundchaser413]

Yes were probably more popular in the 80s than the 90s but they were more prolific in the 90s. Which decade had the better albums? Well, that's hard to say. I would say it evens out.

[downbyariver]

I have a really high view of the 80s music to the point where expecting the 90s music to live up to it wouldn't be fair to the good things that they did accomplish in the 90s. All three of the 80s albums are in my favorite half dozen Yes albums of all-time.

[Somis Sound]

I recall the first time I heard LMU was on the radio. Made me some happy. Pulled into a gas station and some dude asked it that was YES, new YES.

I remember the first time my drummer pal and I heard LMU for the first time on the radio. We sat there studying everything about it. Thinking "oh yes, there's Bruford on the percussion and playing along with Alan, and there's definitely Rabin, but wait, the tone of the guitar solo changed, that must be Howe going heavy! I think I hear Rick in there...? " LOL

Still a great track. Always pumps me up!

[Somis Sound]

If you compare the 80s albums to the 90s albums you’ve got Drama, 90125, BG and ABWH vs. Union, Talk, KTA1&2, Open Your Eyes and The Ladder. I like all four 80s records. Meanwhile, Union gets “guilty pleasure” status and OYE is kind of lame, but I like the rest of Yes’ 90s music to a similar degree that I like the 80s music with Talk, KTA2 and The Ladder being especially deserving of praise. Maybe the 80s music has a slight, but not necessarily a dominating edge. However, the live shows from the 90s were awesome enough to elevate the 90s over the 80s in my mind.

Hmmm. Almost comes out even for me. Definitely more highlights in the 80's. but some great songs here and there in the 90's for sure.

Drama- 10
90125- 9
BG- 8
ABWH- 7

Union- 8
Talk- 8
KTA1- (studio tracks) 1
KTA2 - (studio tracks) 7
OYE- 5
The Bladder- 7

[Soundwaveseeker]

My top 10 90's Yes tracks most likely are:

(and in no particular order, just 10 I really like)

1) Endless Dream
2) Open Your Eyes
3) That, That Is
4) Miracle Of Life
5) New Languages
6) I Am Waiting
7) Footprints
8) To Be Alive (Hep Yada)
9) Silent Talking
10) The More We Live (Let Go)

can we make it 20?

11) The Calling
12) The Messager
13) Bring Me To The Power
14) Real Love
15) Shock To The System
16) Holding On
17) Homeworld
18) Lift Me Up
19) Universal Garden
20) Without Hope You Cannot Start The Day

[Frumious B]

Frum really... I am surprised by this comment to be honest

If you compare the 80s albums to the 90s albums you’ve got Drama, 90125, BG and ABWH vs. Union, Talk, KTA1&2, Open Your Eyes and The Ladder. I like all four 80s records. Meanwhile, Union gets “guilty pleasure” status and OYE is kind of lame, but I like the rest of Yes’ 90s music to a similar degree that I like the 80s music with Talk, KTA2 and The Ladder being especially deserving of praise. Maybe the 80s music has a slight, but not necessarily a dominating edge. However, the live shows from the 90s were awesome enough to elevate the 90s over the 80s in my mind.

[Mr. Holland]

As an aside: what's your top 10 90s Yes songs?

Mine:

01) The Calling
02) Lift Me Up
03) Homeworld (The Ladder)
04) Real Love
05) It'll be a Good Day
06) Fortune Seller
07) Endless Dream
08) Footprints
09) New State of Mind
10) New Language

[Mr. Holland]

At the time of release I loved Union. I was 18 years old and the concert on the tour was my first real "Yes" concert (after seeing ABWH).

But what appealed also at that age is that two friends and I who were into Yes where often frowned upon by class mates and other friends because it was so different from what run the charts and what was played on the radio. Union, however was heavily promoted over here with big carton sign and boards in the record shops and when the tour came here, Jon got interviewed in one of the most popular radio shows in the Netherlands at the time. So, for a small period of time it felt really cool to be a Yes fan, and somehow that mattered. I also liked the music at the time, although I did feel slightly disappointed immediately that it wasn't a true collaboration between all bandmembers, but more of a sort of compilation from two camps.

I'm notI to keen anymore on the album. Lift Me Up, Shock to the System, Miracle of Life and The More We Live-let go are the only songs that get regularly played. I haven't really listened to the rest of the album in years.

I think 90s Yes gave us plenty of good tracks, but aside from Talk, no really great albums. But that doesn't really bother me, because from a young age on I always favoured making my own compilations (at first on cassette tapes, then on CD 's, and now on my phone or computer) over listening to full albums anyway (Steve Howe will probably want to kick me now).

[Soundwaveseeker]

Talk tour was the first with Billy Sherwood as an extra enhancement player. It's interesting that he went from side man to producer to guitarist to mixer to Chris Squire himself. He's held many positions in Yes.st of

I remember Talk tour was fun, heavy on the Yeswest material. I think they played half of 90125 and most of Talk. But only Rhythm of Love from Big Generator and nothing at all from Union. Too bad they couldn't squeeze in Lift Me Up, if they were going for a more YesWest-structured show. They had some sort of platforms on stage - in fact all the Rabin era tours had some sort of platforms and ramps. Union tour was in the round, I remember.

[Nut]

I love Talk and Both Keys are in heavy rotation. I know they are two different albums but I usually listen to the live sides followed by the studio sides of the Keys albums. It's like a complete snapshot of the band at the time. Talk Tour was a show that I got to take my whole family to.

[Yorkshire Square]

Talk is my favourite Yeswest album (90125 is better, but that's different). Union has its moments and I absolutely love The Ladder (its a bit goofy in places, but it strikes me as a very honest work.

Keys is a bit too contrived, but I do like me some crack time now and then.

The 90s were good, I don't remember the first few years as I was having a bit of a lark. Then I got married, did some travelling and knuckled down at work. By 2000 I was 32 and had grown up. Joke! I still haven't. Now I can embarrass my 20+ year old kids... 😂😂

[Davy]

Lift Me Up is still my favorite Yeswest track, despite some stiff competition. Maybe it was the time and place.

[Soundwaveseeker]

I saw Yes live in late April 1991. before the Union album was released. I believe it came out a week or two later. They only played two tracks from it live then, Lift Me Up and Shock To The System. Lift Me Up I had heard on the radio prior to the show, so I knew that already. Shock To The System, on the other hand, was new to my ears then, and I remember thinking it was probably one of the Rabin-led songs because of its heavier rock energy. Much to my surprise, it's one of the ABWH ones. 'Miracle Of Life' on the other hand, one of the best songs on the album and one of their best 90's songs in general, sounds sorta older Yes. I think they have it in them to create in each others style.