Yay! This and the next song, I’m Running, are the jewels of this album. I get where you’re coming from of course. There is a good argument that this lineup flourished in a more pop environment.
I DO love it. Can’t explain it, but this album was the right music at the right time of my life. It’s warm, melodic and crisply produced, with just enough Yessy twists and turns…
I used this song for car stereo competitions. That “little sound” you mentioned was so low, most stereos don’t pick it up! The bass is off the channel on this whole album and 90125. SO GOOD!
Although this album isn't so good compared to most other Yes, it's still good, and when played live in concert the songs always sounded great and balanced out the more proggy stuff.
Reading your little digital sign I see where you've had 9 million views that's impressive. Thanks for reacting to YES I for one make up some of those views especially the YES ones : )
Hey Justin! Hope you are having a great day? Final Eyes is one of my favorites from BG. Something about Jon's vocals, plus it was great in concert!!👀👁👁👍😎
IMO this one has some genuine 70s Yes DNA within it. It's a bit 'cut-n-paste', but Jon is in top form, and that expansive interlude toward the end is pretty sweet.
Honest feedback. For me, this is a message driven song. While the music is perhaps forgettable, the lyric stands out as one of my favorites YES songs. It came to me when I needed it most, in my moments of despair. The music is complimentary and that is probably why many classic Yes fans didn't really care for this era of Yes. While Trevor took the band in a different direction, Jon remained true and I love it for that.
Agree. The only times I’ve heard this album was working at record stores. I never bought it. I remember these songs having OK moments. Like you I don’t generally mind when bands change.
Afternoon, Justin. Dave from London, enjoying this February Song. It's pleasant pop, and probably should be about three minutes long. That's when it seems the Yes committee have got hold of it, and added the extra moods and filler. I agree with you that the final section works well - the atmospheric bit and Trevor's acoustic guitar - but maybe in another song. It should have finalised by then (!). Love your insight, JP, which is brilliant on first listen. I hope Ikea's lawyers aren't too miffed! P.S. my song ref February Song is by Josh Groban.
I wonder why this didn’t show up in my notifications?? Thanks for coming back to this album. Still can’t wait for I’m Running. Alan White usually does have a big snare. Saw some stupid article that tried to make the case that Bill Bruford played drums on 90125. Not only did the writer not simply look at the credits, but how can you possibly confuse Alan and Bill’s style? Agree that this not one the better tracks on this album.
I understand on first listen, nothing really stands out as incredible about this song. I think I've grown to really like it over the many years I've heard it. But it's certainly not one of the best of Yes. I'm looking forward to your reaction to I'm Running - over the years, that song has become one of my favorite Yes songs (and definitely a Squire song).
Hey, don't feel bad, i totally agree with you - this is a far cry from their heyday. Yes are unsurpassed when it comes to their '70s releases (only the classical masters rival them), but outside of that time period they're marginal at best.
Not the last by far. There is some epic stuff on Keys, and on The Ladder. Magnification has some great material as well, and YES despite many opinions, YES is still, even now, capable of some astounding material. YES has always been about change. Never more than 2 consecutive studio albums with the same lineup.
@@jpirardOh, there's a few good things after this (and actually I forgot about "I'm Running" right up next on B.G.! and Union has its moments too), but nothing was ever again at this level, nothing was ever as thrilling.
Final Eyes is actually one of the more proggy songs on the album. It is not awkward, it is reminiscent without being a clone of some of the approach of And You And I.
Yes it has been a while since I have listened to this track. I think that Trevor did the beginning and than step by step the rest of the group added something to it, most notible IMHO Tony Kays Hammond organ. I think it is a lovely track. Maybe it needs more listening to capture the whole thing.
Ah, 80s Yes! As much as I hated the 80s when it was happening this was one of the mord enjoyable albums of the era. Of course, this is little to nothing to do with early to mid 70s Yes when they were a symphonic progrock powerhouse.
Justin great reaction as always. Suggestion! - How about covering an MC5 track or two in recognition of the passing of Wayne Kramer and the influence they had on bands like the Clash?
The acoustic guitar sounded a bit like Steve Howe, the whole track seems like an attempt to mirror classic Yes' sound. Rabin said "parts of the song make him cringe, because it sounds too much like Journey which he felt did not suit Yes." All but White are credited as writers of this one.
I think your IKEA slightly wrong dresser drawer is not as much the problem as it being closer to not quite feeling the pizza last night, it was the same but wasn’t. Another day it might be fine or enjoyable… today, I enjoyed it.
They lyrics for this song is appropriate for the 1980s when it came out. No one liked or understood the "symbolic and metaphorical" lyrics of their earlier music anymore. The 1980s were all about the FEELS (which sadly set us up for where we are in America today)... and they just played along. The instrumentation is still spot-on, but they lyrics... eh.
I love the song, but I understand where you are coming from. Your criticism of the song is related to how this album was created. This album took a long time to record with multiple disagreements and Producer Trevor Horn departing the project. I believe the story goes that Trevor Rabin took the recordings home and pieced it together the best he could. Rabin has been critical of this song and it was only played live a few times on the Big Tour. That said, I like the mood, the sound, the atmosphere of the whole song. I have never tried to interpret the lyrics, sometimes it is best not to do that. I'd give it a few more listens before completely writing it off. Sometimes songs need time to grow on you. Some of my favorite songs and albums are the ones that I didn't like at first.
Liked the 'Ikea' analogy! This is definitely third rate Yes - it's not even the bright eighties pop that they could come up with in the Rabin era. It sounds a bit like Mind Drive (yet to come) or Rush's Hemispheres but isn't nearly as good as these. It might fit better on one of Anderson's duller solo albums.
This is probably my least favourite track on the album, but I still quite like it. The section at the beginning where you commented on the rhythm of the guitar is in 4 time, but the quarter notes brake down into a 3, 3, 2 count, which always sounds a bit off kilter.
I agree with you JP. In fact I'm afraid that for me, this is one of the worst tracks on one of Yes' worst albums (only surpassed in its rubbishness by the epically tedious "Open Your Eyes"). No wonder Trevor Horn walked away well before the end and Jon Anderson soon quit.
I respect your views and typically we are in agreement, but this song is not nearly as "bad" or "weak" as you make it out to be. Like all music, you must try to place yourself into the time when the music came out. For this song, the tail-end of the Big 80's, the world was holding its breath as we neared the end of the Cold War, but still there was tremendous uncertainty with what would happen next, as the block-states of Russia began to crumble, Final Eyes is a relfection on what was most important - the relationships with those we loved. It was a scary time and love is what we all want before our final eyes.
I actually like this song, probably even a little better than you did, on a first listen. But everything you said is true - not just of this song, but of this album generally. Clearly the lowest point for Yes with Anderson. Makes me miss a lot. It's still Yes, but with a shrug. Good thing it's all so far in the past that it's easy to just reach for a more satisfying disk...
My least favorite song on the album is still a song that I like, and think there are some really good moments in the song. But, the "final eyes" chorus(?) is so cheesy that it almost ruins the song for me. Still, I don't mind it, I just don't love it. Meh! ❤👆
Average song. Ugly album cover. Hope you check out their first album next. It's not as good as 70s YES, but it's better than 80s YES, so there's that. Their first album is also an ugly album cover though. Too bad they didn't have Roger Dean back then.
YES!!! The greatest band there ever was or will ever be!🤩
I’ve always loved this song and I’m Running both great 80s prog tunes. Underrated song, underrated album.
Agreed. I’m Running is one of the best Yes songs.
Great song, thanks for listening love Yes
Yay! This and the next song, I’m Running, are the jewels of this album. I get where you’re coming from of course. There is a good argument that this lineup flourished in a more pop environment.
Possibly my favorite song from this album. Or at least tied with " Shoot High, Aim Low".
I DO love it. Can’t explain it, but this album was the right music at the right time of my life. It’s warm, melodic and crisply produced, with just enough Yessy twists and turns…
I used this song for car stereo competitions. That “little sound” you mentioned was so low, most stereos don’t pick it up! The bass is off the channel on this whole album and 90125. SO GOOD!
YES! 😊
Probably Trevor on most of those keys and backing vocals. One of my favorites from this era of Yes.
05:23 - 06:05 is a kind of ultimate point of smart music.
_These 40 seconds tell us more than whole books._
🙏
Although this album isn't so good compared to most other Yes, it's still good, and when played live in concert the songs always sounded great and balanced out the more proggy stuff.
Reading your little digital sign I see where you've had 9 million views that's impressive. Thanks for reacting to YES I for one make up some of those views especially the YES ones : )
This album has some strong songs.. and I think this one grows on you.
Hey Justin! Hope you are having a great day? Final Eyes is one of my favorites from BG. Something about Jon's vocals, plus it was great in concert!!👀👁👁👍😎
YES❣️The greatest band on this or any other planet❣️❣️❣️🪐🪐🪐⭐️⭐️⭐️🎵🎼🎶🔈🔉🔊👍👍👍😎
You got that right Jeff!🤩
@@TigerMtnKing 👍😎
Totally agree, Jeff!
@@bgm1236 👍😎
IMO this one has some genuine 70s Yes DNA within it. It's a bit 'cut-n-paste', but Jon is in top form, and that expansive interlude toward the end is pretty sweet.
The opening is prepating you to the final part...! You must listen to it some more times. :)
My favorite song on the album.
One of the best in the Trevor Rabin era
You got it! From your face, save me, I’m falling….
Honest feedback. For me, this is a message driven song. While the music is perhaps forgettable, the lyric stands out as one of my favorites YES songs. It came to me when I needed it most, in my moments of despair. The music is complimentary and that is probably why many classic Yes fans didn't really care for this era of Yes. While Trevor took the band in a different direction, Jon remained true and I love it for that.
Agree. The only times I’ve heard this album was working at record stores. I never bought it. I remember these songs having OK moments. Like you I don’t generally mind when bands change.
Woohoooh, next song on this album is where we get a little prog thrown in 😁 I'm Running is a good one
I'm Running had it's start on Drama.
@@jpirard ohhh I see! Wouldn't have known that but makes sense
I call this one the 80's sequel to And You And I.
Afternoon, Justin. Dave from London, enjoying this February Song. It's pleasant pop, and probably should be about three minutes long. That's when it seems the Yes committee have got hold of it, and added the extra moods and filler. I agree with you that the final section works well - the atmospheric bit and Trevor's acoustic guitar - but maybe in another song. It should have finalised by then (!). Love your insight, JP, which is brilliant on first listen. I hope Ikea's lawyers aren't too miffed!
P.S. my song ref February Song is by Josh Groban.
I love the you saved me from falling and the acoustic playout
I wonder why this didn’t show up in my notifications?? Thanks for coming back to this album. Still can’t wait for I’m Running. Alan White usually does have a big snare. Saw some stupid article that tried to make the case that Bill Bruford played drums on 90125. Not only did the writer not simply look at the credits, but how can you possibly confuse Alan and Bill’s style? Agree that this not one the better tracks on this album.
I understand on first listen, nothing really stands out as incredible about this song. I think I've grown to really like it over the many years I've heard it. But it's certainly not one of the best of Yes. I'm looking forward to your reaction to I'm Running - over the years, that song has become one of my favorite Yes songs (and definitely a Squire song).
Hey, don't feel bad, i totally agree with you - this is a far cry from their heyday. Yes are unsurpassed when it comes to their '70s releases (only the classical masters rival them), but outside of that time period they're marginal at best.
The last truly great, truly _Yes_ song. I love Tony Kaye's reference to "Sweet Dreams" in his organ part.
Not the last by far. There is some epic stuff on Keys, and on The Ladder. Magnification has some great material as well, and YES despite many opinions, YES is still, even now, capable of some astounding material. YES has always been about change. Never more than 2 consecutive studio albums with the same lineup.
@@jpirardOh, there's a few good things after this (and actually I forgot about "I'm Running" right up next on B.G.! and Union has its moments too), but nothing was ever again at this level, nothing was ever as thrilling.
@@worldnotworldNot even "Endless Dream"?
Oh, well. To each his own, I suppose!
That's more like it! But yes the lyrics ...
Final Eyes is actually one of the more proggy songs on the album. It is not awkward, it is reminiscent without being a clone of some of the approach of And You And I.
Did you ever get round to 'The Same As Being in Love' by Harvey Danger? I was asking you about it for AGES a few years ago. 😁
My favorite on the album. Vocals are stellar.
Yes it has been a while since I have listened to this track. I think that Trevor did the beginning and than step by step the rest of the group added something to it, most notible IMHO Tony Kays Hammond organ. I think it is a lovely track. Maybe it needs more listening to capture the whole thing.
🙏❤🌹 Chris & Alan 🌹❤🙏
Surprisingly not bad. More a throwback to classic Yes, rather than that brash 80's sound that plagued them around this period.
I have to say that I really like owner of lonely heart, haven't heard that much of the 80's yes other than that.
Ah, 80s Yes! As much as I hated the 80s when it was happening this was one of the mord enjoyable albums of the era.
Of course, this is little to nothing to do with early to mid 70s Yes when they were a symphonic progrock powerhouse.
Justin great reaction as always. Suggestion! - How about covering an MC5 track or two in recognition of the passing of Wayne Kramer and the influence they had on bands like the Clash?
The acoustic guitar sounded a bit like Steve Howe, the whole track seems like an attempt to mirror classic Yes' sound. Rabin said "parts of the song make him cringe, because it sounds too much like Journey which he felt did not suit Yes." All but White are credited as writers of this one.
First time listen after all these years. Not at all what I was expecting. In fact, rather fresh! You can pick yer self off the floor now.
Did you notice that you used the term "finalize" in your review of "Final Eyes"?
Yeah more Prog rock
I think your IKEA slightly wrong dresser drawer is not as much the problem as it being closer to not quite feeling the pizza last night, it was the same but wasn’t. Another day it might be fine or enjoyable… today, I enjoyed it.
A fair review. I like this songs but probably it's not my favorite for precisely the same reasons you exposed
They lyrics for this song is appropriate for the 1980s when it came out. No one liked or understood the "symbolic and metaphorical" lyrics of their earlier music anymore. The 1980s were all about the FEELS (which sadly set us up for where we are in America today)... and they just played along. The instrumentation is still spot-on, but they lyrics... eh.
It's a song with a payoff that takes a few listens to fully appreciate.
Really nails you at the end.
I love the song, but I understand where you are coming from. Your criticism of the song is related to how this album was created. This album took a long time to record with multiple disagreements and Producer Trevor Horn departing the project. I believe the story goes that Trevor Rabin took the recordings home and pieced it together the best he could. Rabin has been critical of this song and it was only played live a few times on the Big Tour. That said, I like the mood, the sound, the atmosphere of the whole song. I have never tried to interpret the lyrics, sometimes it is best not to do that. I'd give it a few more listens before completely writing it off. Sometimes songs need time to grow on you. Some of my favorite songs and albums are the ones that I didn't like at first.
Thank God for 70's YES!
...and that's coming from an atheist!
I concur. But Overall I do enjoy the album lest a couple of tunes.
Justin listen to it again!!!! I think you will feel differently. 👍😎
Liked the 'Ikea' analogy! This is definitely third rate Yes - it's not even the bright eighties pop that they could come up with in the Rabin era. It sounds a bit like Mind Drive (yet to come) or Rush's Hemispheres but isn't nearly as good as these. It might fit better on one of Anderson's duller solo albums.
Yes is my favourite band, But I've hated everything I've heard after 1977.
EVERYTHING? HOW SAD.
ooo-errr!
This is probably my least favourite track on the album, but I still quite like it. The section at the beginning where you commented on the rhythm of the guitar is in 4 time, but the quarter notes brake down into a 3, 3, 2 count, which always sounds a bit off kilter.
I agree with you JP. In fact I'm afraid that for me, this is one of the worst tracks on one of Yes' worst albums (only surpassed in its rubbishness by the epically tedious "Open Your Eyes"). No wonder Trevor Horn walked away well before the end and Jon Anderson soon quit.
I like some of the songs on BG but generally not an album I enjoy. This was not one of the songs I enjoyed.
I respect your views and typically we are in agreement, but this song is not nearly as "bad" or "weak" as you make it out to be. Like all music, you must try to place yourself into the time when the music came out. For this song, the tail-end of the Big 80's, the world was holding its breath as we neared the end of the Cold War, but still there was tremendous uncertainty with what would happen next, as the block-states of Russia began to crumble, Final Eyes is a relfection on what was most important - the relationships with those we loved. It was a scary time and love is what we all want before our final eyes.
I actually like this song, probably even a little better than you did, on a first listen. But everything you said is true - not just of this song, but of this album generally. Clearly the lowest point for Yes with Anderson. Makes me miss a lot. It's still Yes, but with a shrug. Good thing it's all so far in the past that it's easy to just reach for a more satisfying disk...
Absolutely, the song is disjointed with cool ideas. Squire took a back seat, but like he said, " still got paid."
God, i really don't like the sound/production on this record.
My least favorite song on the album is still a song that I like, and think there are some really good moments in the song. But, the "final eyes" chorus(?) is so cheesy that it almost ruins the song for me. Still, I don't mind it, I just don't love it. Meh! ❤👆
I like the irony of your exclamation point on the word "meh". That's funny!
Average song. Ugly album cover. Hope you check out their first album next. It's not as good as 70s YES, but it's better than 80s YES, so there's that. Their first album is also an ugly album cover though. Too bad they didn't have Roger Dean back then.