Absolutely. I saw the Anderson/Rabin/Wakeman version of Yes in 2018, and I was surprised at how many great songs this album had, between this one, "Cinema", "Changes"... It's stood the test of time a lot better than expected
Another vote for Leave It as a top contender on this album. When you get to it, of course listen to the album track. But, give the official Yes channel's upload of the a capella version a listen as well. I'm pretty sure it's just the vocal tracks isolated, but it is definitely worth a listen. th-cam.com/video/NGwZ_BSibBw/w-d-xo.html
While dozens and dozens of bands and soloists broke their heads to make a good pop song in the 80's, Genesis, Yes and other great bands of the 70's did it with the same ease that an international Chef cooks a Hot- dog. My favorite song on this album is the last one ... "Hearts" in which Trevon Ravin has a fantastic performance. This song also includes various elements and structures from the album "Drama" that I love.
I really liked your comment. I prefer 1970s Yes but 90125 is a fantastic album. Hold On is a great song and there's many more to enjoy. "Hearts" is my favorite as well. One of the things I've noticed in this song is that there's a small part that's very similar to the song "Cinema", which comes later on the album. There's this beautiful guitar theme and it fits perfectly in Hold On as well. In the early 1980s the band was quite different... Before making this album they were even going to be called "Cinema" but when Jon Anderson came back they once again decided to call themselves Yes. I'm glad they did. There's always been elements in their music that sound like Yes.
There is nothing to match Jon Anderson's voice soaring over all their material. He now sings with a group who were a Yes tribute band and fantastic musicians.
One of my favourite tracks from the album, along with “Changes”. I think it’s an underrated album, probably because it achieved mainstream success, so some fans felt like their secret decoder rings weren’t as special. Similar to what happened with Rush in the 80s. And it’s not just a prog phenomenon. A lot of fans don’t want their “underground” bands to become popular, and assume it’s because they’ve sold out, rather than that the curve they were ahead of has caught up to them. Or maybe they just don’t like change. It doesn’t really matter, though. Bands have to play what interests them, and people like it or they don’t. A band that lasts as long as Yes will inevitably evolve - or vanish. Who wants to be a museum piece? Who wants to be an imitation of themselves?
I don't care what any Yes fan says: I love this as much as Close to the Edge or Relayer or any of their other classics. The songs, arrangements and production are absolutely top notch. This album was absolutely state of the art in its time.
This song got some radio play, but there's no comparing this commercial music to what they did from The Yes Album to Going for the One. This music is good. That music was phenomenal. However, I totally agree with your great analysis
Trevor Rabin added hair metal guitar licks as well as a fresh new voice to Yes. The rest of the album is also great. Changes being my favourite! Enjoy the rest of the album JP you wont be disappointed. Big Generator was my first concert. Another very underrated album in my view!
I always loved the 80’s Yes stuff. It may not be the great 70’s prog stuff, but it’s still great. I absolutely love Shoot High, Aim Low from Big Generator. A lot of people hate on Generator, but I think it’s great. I think Talk is my favorite Yes album with Trevor Rabin. I just wish Talk was on Spotify.
I've always loved this album...so many good songs and I always wondered why the first track had "air time" and not anymore after that...Hearts is my favorite track...full of love and hope...RIP Alan
This album impressed me when it came out. Although I was a big fan of the Yes from the seventies, I liked this a lot. No filler track on that album. I fell in love with Leave It. I bought the 45pm from that song that contains a acapella version of Leave it. YouHAVE to listen to that version, it's just fantastic. One of the best Yes production ever, just the voices, really GIVE IT a try. I think the sounds you ask yourself about in the background are vocals too (that's why give a try to the acapella version of Leave It, that explains it, IMHO).
I love this album. Tony Kaye returns to the line up on keyboard and Tevor Rabin on guitar. After the Drama album Yes disbanded. Squire , White, Rabin and Kaye had joined up to form the new band Cinema. John Anderson returned prior to recording and subsequently Cinema became the new Yes lineup.
When I bought this album, I was very dubious because I was a big fan of the earlier lineups and was sure that I would miss Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman. There are still plenty of fans who can't accept this lineup, but I think Trevor Rabin was a tremendous addition to the band. Yes, his sound on vocals and guitar is different from Howe, and Kaye is a much more understated keyboard player, but at it's heart, Yes sounds like Yes if you have Anderson's vocals and Squire's bass. I really do love this album more than I expected to and think acquiring Trevor Rabin truly added far more than people give him credit for.
Also, is there any band other than Yes that would sing: Talk the simple smile / such platonic eye / how we drown in incomplete capacity / strangest of them all / when the feeling calls / how we drown in stylistic audacity / charge the common ground!
As usual, your appraisal once again mirrors my own. The early 70's YES won my eternal infatuation, but I'm one of those YES fans who liked both Drama and the Trevor Rabin version of YES. "Owner" was a good song, but was not the best song on 90125. IMO, the best two songs on the album were "Hold On" and "Leave It." Now that you're doing some of the Rabin Era YES, I've got to recommend what I believe was this ensemble's overall *_best_* composition: *I'm Running* on the Big Generator album. In terms of its creative/compositional beauty, I think it ranks right up there with some of the earlier YES' classics, like Starship Trooper, for example. Check it out, Justin!
I heard 90125 songs on the radio while in the backseat of the car as a 7-8 year old, so didn't have the preconceived notions of Prog vs. Pop Yes. I just know it sounded cool. Like the "Warped vocals" keyboard section here; I love that kind of stuff.
I think 90125 was one of the first 'albums' I purchased on CD. When I heard 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' on the radio and was told that it was Yes, I wasn't too sure about things. I had grown up on the 'classic' Yes sound, and this was quite different. I had been disappointed in the Drama album, mostly because I didn't really care for Trevor Horn's voice. At least with this new Yes line-up they had Jon Anderson back. After I purchased the CD and listened to the rest of the album, I became more of a fan for this 'alternative' Yes arrangement. It wasn't classic, but had good progressive roots, excellent musicianship, and had a nice rock sound with the harder edge provided by Trevor Rabin. I really enjoy 'Hold On' and agree with your comments. I really enjoy the entire album, along with the next one 'Big Generator'. Neither album is perfect, neither album is 'classic' Yes. However, it doesn't matter. I think this song and this album was a worthy reboot of Yes. This is neither better, nor worse, that 'classic' Yes. It's just different. Looking forward to you listening to more off of this album.
90125 is still a super album after all these years.... took me a long time to really get into it though. Glad you dug the track JP. Check out the DVD of the live video of the tour of 90125. They pull off those vocals live.
The first record I bought brand new, when I was 10 years old. I still love it! And it made me curious to hear their prog stuff (which I also love). You should give a listen to Anderson Bruford Wakeman & Howe
I was first introduced to Yes in 1980 (I had heard some songs like Starship Trooper on the radio but didn't make the connection until much later). When 90125 came out, I skipped school to be at Tower Records when it opened to get one of the first copies on vinyl (still have it!). I burned through 2 cassette tapes listening to every song for about a year. Even saw them in concert for my birthday! "It Can Happen" is my favorite song on this album.
A much different harder rock sound from Yes! Amazing what a new guitarist can do to revitalize a great band. Albeit not quite progressive rock. I had the opportunity to see ARW live and they were fantastic...
Dude! This song rocks! If you really like Hold On, you'll love most of the rest of the songs on this album. There are only two "ordinary" songs and the rest push boundaries, including their Grammy winning instrumental "Cinema," which is a short but powerful song. This album is underrated.
There are alot of well constructed and complex vocal harmonies on this spectacular album. They just shifted the emphasis on vocal harmony and that's great. It's still very progressive without the long guitar or keyboard solos. Yes was always about change and they always were searching never standing complacent with a formula.
Definitely an 'American' sound to this one, l am a fan of the 70's prog rock. This newer style is similar to what Genesis were putting out later in their career and I prefer the early stuff from both bands.
I wouldn't compare this to Genesis. Genesis started putting out shitty pop songs in the 80s while Yes was putting out still great but shorter songs. Hold On isn't Gates of Delerium, but it' certainly isn't Invisible Touch either. To be fair, this is more concurrent with Genesis Genesis, which has a couple decent songs, but no where near as strong as 90125.
As I remember the story, the new lineup was going to go by 90125. Jon Anderson was in the area when they began recording and they invited him in to lay down some vocals. During the playback. everyone had to agree that it still sounded like Yes. Since Chris Squire owned the rights to the name, they went with Yes. Soon the new line up would keep Yes and record without Jon (Drama). Jon and others recorded under ABWH. Someone let me know if this was just an urban legend.
Parts are right, parts aren't quite so. Abridged version: First, Squire, White and Jimmy Page were writing and rehearsing with plans to form a band they'd call XYZ. That fell through. Then, Rabin comes into it, after rehearsing with but turning down a spot as Asia's singer. This band was going to be called "Cinema", with Rabin and Squire sharing vocals. Anderson returned to sing after someone played him a demo tape at a party. Tony Kaye (the original keyboardist) was in, then out (and replaced briefly with Eddie Jobson), then back in, and management suggested this was just another Yes lineup, what with three founding members and a long-time drummer. The band acquiesced. (Eddie Jobson wasn't *quite* fully edited out of the music video for "Owner of a Lonely Heart", but is not on any recordings, live or studio.) Anderson left shortly after the following album, Big Generator. Wakeman and Bruford were free, as was Howe (after leaving first Asia, then GTR). ABWH results. In this period, hijinks ensue- ABWH tries to advertise themselves as Yes, get told they can't by management and the label, so advertises an "Evening of Yes Music Plus", and Squire tries to get a reluctant Billy Sherwood to be the Yes lead vocalist in Anderson's absence. Label and band management would mash the two band's faces together to kiss and make up, resulting in a mutant 9-piece lineup for a tour and album. That album is awash in session musicians and third-party writing contributions- Sherwood's tracking session on bass is left intact on the final release of his writing contribution "The More We Live/Let Go", and a bunch of Howe's guitar is replaced by work from Jimmy Haun at producers' request. Wakeman and Howe literally phoned in some of their parts in lieu of appearing in the studio. It's a glorious mess.
This album made me want more yes! Every song on it rocks for me. Leave it, Changes, It can happen are just some highlights! Next album “Big Generator” is great as well!
This song did get radio play in my neck of the woods, in fact I would practice my drumming to this song growing up. The is a great rock n roll tune and I love the guitar on this track. Most of the 70's prog bands had a musical direction change during the 80's, whether it be to reach a larger audience or stay relevant, we're still listening and talking about them and that's a good thing. For me, I was never unhappy with the directional change of these prog bands because my tastes in music was more cultivated during the 80's. In fact I would say for Genesis and Yes, I grew up with their 80's sound more vs their 70's music. Enjoyed the reaction JP thanks.
Yes was done after Tormato in 1978. This is the new group Cinema with guest vocalist Jon Anderson. Calling them Yes was a technicality, similar to what was done on the Drama album...
I agree, it's radio friendly, but it still sounds like Yes. JP, I would like to see your reaction to Hearts from the same album (the last song). When I heard it in 1983, I became curious to explore the older records with Yes as well. Hearts is probably the most progressive song on 90125
Like this song a lot. The “talk the simple smile...when we reach we believe in eternity” section I thought was pretty cool (and evidence that Anderson was still writing interesting lyrics at that point), as well as the blending of the “Sunshine, shine on..” chant with the chorus at the end (all with strong harmonies). I’ve always wondered too what that sound in back of the vocals is...I’ve always thought it’s some kind of processed organ.
I love almost everything YES has done. “YES WEST” is not the same but it is still very good. I saw this tour twice. The second time at Irvine Meadows in Ca. Was the loudest concert I have ever been too. Mr. Squires sub units literally made the Earth move.
I remember listening to this record for the first time at my buddies house. We were all relieved that they managed to keep their essence amidst the updated sound of the 80s. It was a highly successful comeback album, and every song has that YES signature. Rabin got a lot of the credit for the production. He's touring with the Anderson branch of the band recently, I saw them a few years ago. I hope you continue through this record. I remember being in the third row center for the 90210 tour. Fantastic!!! Anderson, and Rabin in the white jumpsuits...I almost lost my wife that day. lol
The first time I heard this song was during a live performance in 1987 in New Jersey. The light show really complimented this song, and the chorus was amazing. Huge guitars! Huge drums.
This originally wasn't going to be a Yes album (there's a fairly long story about XYZ, the working for the group that started working on the project, but won't go into the long history of all that). This only because Yes because Jon was asked to step in to do some vocal work. Imo, Changes and Leave It are much closer to what a real pop-style Yes should sound like.
When I first heard "Owner of a Lonely Heart" on the radio in 1983, I was excited!! Jon Anderson's vocals are distinct. Many of us Yes fans (me since 1974), were happy to hear ANYTHING from Yes! Jon had been gone since 1979 after the Tormato tour, along with Rick Wakeman. Chris Squire, Steve Howe and Alan White were doing something together in the studio and then The Buggles joined them for the Drama album and tour. Now in 1982, Squire and White were doing studio stuff because Howe and Geoff Downes left to form Asia with John Wetton and Carl Palmer. Soooo, I digress... Trevor Rabin joined and they enlisted the help of Yes' original keyboardist, Tony Kaye. Many of the tracks for yet unnamed album were laid down and Jon called Chris to see if he was working on anything. That's how Anderson got involved and they resurrected the band name, Yes. And then they went on tour. Fortunately for me, they came to Jacksonville, FL in 1984 and I bought 2 GA tickets. I was pressed up against the stage right in front of Trevor Rabin!! They played the entire 90125 album (except Our Song) plus some Yes classics. Perfect concert! Oh, and I happen to love "Hold On" and the entire 90125 album! 💜
This is one of my favorite songs off of the album! I’m a senior in high school and none of my friends listen to music like this. It makes me a little disappointed. I have great memories of blasting this through my speakers while driving through the countryside alone. My other favorite song off of the album is Leave It.
So proud of Yes when they came out with this album. They had lost me, to a certain extent, from post "Close to the Edge" contributions. I absolutely wore this album out. This is NOTABLE.
Changes and Hearts are favs of mine from this album. It’s a long way from Early Prog but there is enough baseline Yes and Jon’s wonderful vocals to make it listenable. During this period Prog almost disappeared so if this was the price we had to pay to keep seeing Yes live it was well worth it.
I'm a die-hard Yes fan, going back to the Fragile days, but I love this album. Like you, I think it sounds like another incarnation of Yes, and I loved that band so, when they got back together and did OOALH, I was thrilled. This album, and the follow-up, Big Generator.....wonderful!
I still enjoy this album totally. Yes was ever changing and this made sense after the Drama album. Rabin gave the band a badly needed boost. Squire and Howe were phenomenal together through the 70s , Rabin and Squire we’re also killer. Check out the Talk album .
2 lines of thought...first, if you want to dig deeper into Trevor Rabin-era Yes, I'll suggest the following songs: Changes, City Of Love, Aim High Shoot Low, Almost Like Love (Yes only made 2 balls-out rockers in their whole career; Release Release was the first one, and ALL was the last), The Calling, and Endless Dream. Secondly, this album was produced by the mad genius Trevor Horn, and you could do a major series of reactions just to artists/songs he produced.
This is the first album i heard from Yes. I heard it nearly hundred times and i fell in love with Yes. Even more when I get step by step to the seventies albums, then finally it became my favorite band of all time. It's a great album!
So many good tracks beyond “Owner”… and don’t overlook the whole Big Generator follow up album. Trevor Rabin’s Yes is uniquely different than old Yes, but so good on its own.
If I remember right, this is really a Trevor Rabin Album! He put it before the producers with the desire of Jon Anderson singing on it. Jon came on and then wanted to bring in the Yes group Bass player. Squire, or the producer, then suggested bringing in the entire band and making it a Yes Album . . . and thus the Album came to be.
Good musicianship, good production, always great to hear Jon singing. I base my liking for a song on it's merits, I don't dislike this one it's fine but I'm not going to put it on any time soon., BTW I feel like there's an elephant in the room, anyone else with the same feeling?
@@HippoYnYrEira Ah, you've been watching The Fast Show. I was referring to 10,000 subs and some expectations! Although your suggestions are pretty valid too.
I still enjoy this entire album and this is one of my favorites. To me since it has Anderson, Squire and White and a great guitarist then it's Yes. BTW I became a Yes fan when Roundabout came out. This sure beats the hell out of TFTO.
I'm waiting for your step into Drama. until then, Welcome to a Trevor Horn production. The "swirls" is a Trevor Horn influence. Yes this is a really good song on a good solid album. produced by the guy who sang on Drama.
I heard and experience YES in 1968.....and I say you are correct in your reaction and review. This album is one of Yes Masterpieces....The lyrics are relevant for todays world issues...the adding "Rap" and Hip-Hop in the music with Rock n' Roll..... kept the organ or synth out of it a little bit....and added direct lyrics.../more bass and drums and guitar....Lyrics pertain to BLM and Pandemic issues today because these sort of problems were going on in the 80's. Wars, AIDS. Rodney King Riots!!!! Yes was writing music and lyrics with hope for the problems of those days which are practically the problems of today. This is a Great Album!!!
I have to admit (being a longtime Yes fan) that the first time I heard Owner I thought it was a Jon solo song since it sounded so different from their previous history. Of course I went right out and got the album and it took me a while to get over the initial shock of "well this is different." And by a while I mean several years. Now I appreciate 90125 for what it is instead of what I thought it should be, Big Generator not so much, and I simply love Talk. Good review!
Hi Justin! Every time I love more and more your analysis of songs!!! In this case you are absolutely right, I love the very progressive Yes (Relayer is my all time favourite), but I love 90125 too, they changed, they evolved, and created a new Yes, for a new generation, and the "old" fans had the chance to grow up with them. A lot of people hate this album, also Tormato, and Big Generator, but many times I noticed some people didn't listen the complete albums, never gave a true chance, and for me are incredible albums... Thank you again for your great reacts!!!
I went to see ARW (who now call themselves Yes featuring ARW) in 2016. Until then I had only heard Owner of a Lonely Heart, and MAYBE Leave It (but pretty sure it was only Lonely Heart) from this album. I was not a big fan at the time and pretty much cast aside the rest of the album, not wanting to give it a chance. They played Hold On and I was honestly blown away by the a capella part. Then I got blown away by Big Generator when they played Rhythm of Love. I had a new outlook on their 80s albums after that night! I think my favorite song off of this album has to be Our Song. It's very catchy. After that would probably be Changes. Thanks for the video!
What you said about prog bands (for example, Genesis) becoming pop, is exactly what everyone needs to hear, just enjoy good music regardless od the band! This reaction made my heart very happy, one of my fav albums of all time!
Dear Justin, I can testify what happened to me back in the day, I was a prog fan since 5 years and Genesis began to disappoint me after Abacab and the self titled album just released (both of them with only few great songs for me), in the same time I've just discovered the unique Rush and was totally into this great band. So when I saw the video clip of "Owner of a lonely heart" I felt good because I thought Yes would have become more popular and I liked the song, but as I bought the vinyl and listened to it I was immediately in love with it. Forget the board behind you and keep on this album, after this amazing "Hold on" there are incredible fresh songs like "It can happen", "Changes" (somehow reminds me of old Yes), "Cinema (instr,)/Leave it", "Our song" and the final "Hearts" (again I heard echoes of the past, kind of "And you and I") made this one of the greatest albums ever.
Love the shoutout to Alan White...Maybe the most underappreciated drummer in Prog!...I know a lot of 80s production gets a bad rep, but 90125 is impeccable and it has balls to boot 😃
Totally agree, thus song jams. My friends and I were happy that our favorite band was, on this album, more accessible to a wider audience. Yes, “Owner” was too pop, but it got the girls screaming and ensured Yes would go on for decades, so we were fine with it. I hope you continue with this album, because there’s plenty of excellent song... “It Can Happen”, “Changes”, “City Of Love”, & “Hearts” are favorites.
This was my first Yes album when i was 15 and it made me a big fan. „Changes“ was and is still one of my Favs. If you have a little time just listen to it!
Yes West. Rabin era The Yes Album Howe era turned me become the musician I am today. I do like the change and understand it is more poppy. Has the LA sound. The weird vocal sound is a vocoder
90125 producer Trevor Horn (lead singer on Drama) played with samplers and drum machines on 90125 and as did Alan White. I think Horn was part of group that later produced hits like Tom Jones' Prince cover, "Kiss."
I really let this record grow on me after my initial shock at their sound change and I'm glad I did. This song I liked almost immediately because of the hard edge that keeps showing up. Even today, it's message seems to speak to me and say "Hold on, Greg, he'll eventually get around to reacting to The Endless Enigma by ELP". Hopeful lyrics, indeed :)
I never heard this one, but for late Yes it’s darn good. Loved them from way back when. This canes a hell of a lot of later Genesis stuff, as much as I like them. Still a quality piece of work from the incredible Yes.
So sharing this with my once gf Diane. Driving down the road listening to this album I'd be really enjoying it, but she'd be rocking hard in the passenger seat like Tina Turner haha 😄
That background vocal is done by a tube in the mouth connected to a machine or keyboard that generates that sound...I have seen Yes in concert 4 times and 2 of those times they performed this song.
90125, my personal favorite Yes album. Check out the live version’s drum intro on The Word is Live. “Hey Houston. On drums Mr. Alan White. It’s great to be with you tonight!”
This album aged surprisingly good. 'Leave it' is my favorite.
Yeah, "Leave It" and "Hold On" were my two favorites on this album, gotta say...
Absolutely. I saw the Anderson/Rabin/Wakeman version of Yes in 2018, and I was surprised at how many great songs this album had, between this one, "Cinema", "Changes"... It's stood the test of time a lot better than expected
Definitely! Leave It is the best.
Changes is my favorite, but I still cant consider this version of yes to be Yes.
Another vote for Leave It as a top contender on this album. When you get to it, of course listen to the album track. But, give the official Yes channel's upload of the a capella version a listen as well. I'm pretty sure it's just the vocal tracks isolated, but it is definitely worth a listen.
th-cam.com/video/NGwZ_BSibBw/w-d-xo.html
They didn’t move on from their progressive sound it simply evolved. This is an objectively good album and one of my favorites.
I agree so much. You have no idea how much I agree. LOL.
@@BackLooking it is a good album. It was the haircuts I hated.
@@Hartlor_Tayley yeah, those were crazy. And even the outfits.But it´s not visible on the album. Just on the concert dvd.
@@BackLooking oh yeah the outfits too lol
Absolutely spot-on! It’s OK to appreciate and enjoy both 70s and 80s Yes. I never understood the Rabin-era haters. Good music is good music.
While dozens and dozens of bands and soloists broke their heads to make a good pop song in the 80's, Genesis, Yes and other great bands of the 70's did it with the same ease that an international Chef cooks a Hot- dog.
My favorite song on this album is the last one ... "Hearts" in which Trevon Ravin has a fantastic performance. This song also includes various elements and structures from the album "Drama" that I love.
Love "Hearts" too!...What a way to end the album ❤
I really liked your comment. I prefer 1970s Yes but 90125 is a fantastic album. Hold On is a great song and there's many more to enjoy. "Hearts" is my favorite as well. One of the things I've noticed in this song is that there's a small part that's very similar to the song "Cinema", which comes later on the album. There's this beautiful guitar theme and it fits perfectly in Hold On as well. In the early 1980s the band was quite different... Before making this album they were even going to be called "Cinema" but when Jon Anderson came back they once again decided to call themselves Yes. I'm glad they did. There's always been elements in their music that sound like Yes.
Totally agree
I was born in 58. I owned every album released by Yes. This one remains in my CD catalogue. Production masterpiece.
There is nothing to match Jon Anderson's voice soaring over all their material. He now sings with a group who were a Yes tribute band and fantastic musicians.
This album evokes memories of summers in the 80s, and this is my favorite track off the album, aside from Cinema.
Wait when you will hear Changes, It Can Happen and Hearts...they are even better !
I do enjoy a bit of Yes Lite now and then.
If you like this then you probably should listen to Leave It.
This album was my gateway to YES and all things prog. Would love to see you react to Yes's DRAMA.
One of my favourite tracks from the album, along with “Changes”. I think it’s an underrated album, probably because it achieved mainstream success, so some fans felt like their secret decoder rings weren’t as special. Similar to what happened with Rush in the 80s. And it’s not just a prog phenomenon. A lot of fans don’t want their “underground” bands to become popular, and assume it’s because they’ve sold out, rather than that the curve they were ahead of has caught up to them. Or maybe they just don’t like change. It doesn’t really matter, though. Bands have to play what interests them, and people like it or they don’t. A band that lasts as long as Yes will inevitably evolve - or vanish. Who wants to be a museum piece? Who wants to be an imitation of themselves?
I don't care what any Yes fan says: I love this as much as Close to the Edge or Relayer or any of their other classics. The songs, arrangements and production are absolutely top notch. This album was absolutely state of the art in its time.
This song got some radio play, but there's no comparing this commercial music to what they did from The Yes Album to Going for the One. This music is good. That music was phenomenal.
However, I totally agree with your great analysis
I love Yes, and I love this album, Leave It is a great song as well
Trevor Rabin added hair metal guitar licks as well as a fresh new voice to Yes. The rest of the album is also great. Changes being my favourite! Enjoy the rest of the album JP you wont be disappointed. Big Generator was my first concert. Another very underrated album in my view!
That's a good description, " hair metal guitar licks" something I never wanted from YES. haha
I always loved the 80’s Yes stuff. It may not be the great 70’s prog stuff, but it’s still great. I absolutely love Shoot High, Aim Low from Big Generator. A lot of people hate on Generator, but I think it’s great. I think Talk is my favorite Yes album with Trevor Rabin. I just wish Talk was on Spotify.
I've always loved this album...so many good songs and I always wondered why the first track had "air time" and not anymore after that...Hearts is my favorite track...full of love and hope...RIP Alan
@@nickavenoso7851 Shoot High Aim Low is another great YES song... in my top 3 favs
@@sqonk21 Yeah. That’s a great one. I’m Running is another great one from Big Generator.
This album impressed me when it came out. Although I was a big fan of the Yes from the seventies, I liked this a lot. No filler track on that album. I fell in love with Leave It. I bought the 45pm from that song that contains a acapella version of Leave it. YouHAVE to listen to that version, it's just fantastic. One of the best Yes production ever, just the voices, really GIVE IT a try. I think the sounds you ask yourself about in the background are vocals too (that's why give a try to the acapella version of Leave It, that explains it, IMHO).
I love this album. Tony Kaye returns to the line up on keyboard and Tevor Rabin on guitar. After the Drama album Yes disbanded. Squire , White, Rabin and Kaye had joined up to form the new band Cinema. John Anderson returned prior to recording and subsequently Cinema became the new Yes lineup.
Great stuff from the Great YES as always ☝️ thanks for the reaction JP☝️
When I bought this album, I was very dubious because I was a big fan of the earlier lineups and was sure that I would miss Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman. There are still plenty of fans who can't accept this lineup, but I think Trevor Rabin was a tremendous addition to the band. Yes, his sound on vocals and guitar is different from Howe, and Kaye is a much more understated keyboard player, but at it's heart, Yes sounds like Yes if you have Anderson's vocals and Squire's bass. I really do love this album more than I expected to and think acquiring Trevor Rabin truly added far more than people give him credit for.
Also, is there any band other than Yes that would sing: Talk the simple smile / such platonic eye / how we drown in incomplete capacity / strangest of them all / when the feeling calls / how we drown in stylistic audacity / charge the common ground!
As usual, your appraisal once again mirrors my own. The early 70's YES won my eternal infatuation, but I'm one of those YES fans who liked both Drama and the Trevor Rabin version of YES. "Owner" was a good song, but was not the best song on 90125. IMO, the best two songs on the album were "Hold On" and "Leave It."
Now that you're doing some of the Rabin Era YES, I've got to recommend what I believe was this ensemble's overall *_best_* composition: *I'm Running* on the Big Generator album. In terms of its creative/compositional beauty, I think it ranks right up there with some of the earlier YES' classics, like Starship Trooper, for example. Check it out, Justin!
I heard 90125 songs on the radio while in the backseat of the car as a 7-8 year old, so didn't have the preconceived notions of Prog vs. Pop Yes. I just know it sounded cool. Like the "Warped vocals" keyboard section here; I love that kind of stuff.
I think 90125 was one of the first 'albums' I purchased on CD. When I heard 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' on the radio and was told that it was Yes, I wasn't too sure about things. I had grown up on the 'classic' Yes sound, and this was quite different. I had been disappointed in the Drama album, mostly because I didn't really care for Trevor Horn's voice. At least with this new Yes line-up they had Jon Anderson back. After I purchased the CD and listened to the rest of the album, I became more of a fan for this 'alternative' Yes arrangement. It wasn't classic, but had good progressive roots, excellent musicianship, and had a nice rock sound with the harder edge provided by Trevor Rabin. I really enjoy 'Hold On' and agree with your comments. I really enjoy the entire album, along with the next one 'Big Generator'. Neither album is perfect, neither album is 'classic' Yes. However, it doesn't matter. I think this song and this album was a worthy reboot of Yes. This is neither better, nor worse, that 'classic' Yes. It's just different. Looking forward to you listening to more off of this album.
90125 is still a super album after all these years.... took me a long time to really get into it though. Glad you dug the track JP. Check out the DVD of the live video of the tour of 90125. They pull off those vocals live.
The first record I bought brand new, when I was 10 years old. I still love it! And it made me curious to hear their prog stuff (which I also love).
You should give a listen to Anderson Bruford Wakeman & Howe
I was first introduced to Yes in 1980 (I had heard some songs like Starship Trooper on the radio but didn't make the connection until much later).
When 90125 came out, I skipped school to be at Tower Records when it opened to get one of the first copies on vinyl (still have it!).
I burned through 2 cassette tapes listening to every song for about a year. Even saw them in concert for my birthday!
"It Can Happen" is my favorite song on this album.
A much different harder rock sound from Yes! Amazing what a new guitarist can do to revitalize a great band. Albeit not quite progressive rock. I had the opportunity to see ARW live and they were fantastic...
Dude! This song rocks! If you really like Hold On, you'll love most of the rest of the songs on this album. There are only two "ordinary" songs and the rest push boundaries, including their Grammy winning instrumental "Cinema," which is a short but powerful song. This album is underrated.
There are alot of well constructed and complex vocal harmonies on this spectacular album. They just shifted the emphasis on vocal harmony and that's great. It's still very progressive without the long guitar or keyboard solos. Yes was always about change and they always were searching never standing complacent with a formula.
Still waiting for Thick as a Brick!
Scheduled for the weekend of 31 Oct and o1 Nov 2020.
Definitely an 'American' sound to this one, l am a fan of the 70's prog rock. This newer style is similar to what Genesis were putting out later in their career and I prefer the early stuff from both bands.
They progressed. They didn't want to keep rewriting Close To The Edge. Maybe they didn't progress to your liking, but they progressed none the less.
I wouldn't compare this to Genesis. Genesis started putting out shitty pop songs in the 80s while Yes was putting out still great but shorter songs. Hold On isn't Gates of Delerium, but it' certainly isn't Invisible Touch either. To be fair, this is more concurrent with Genesis Genesis, which has a couple decent songs, but no where near as strong as 90125.
@@dennisjohnson2772 no, it's the Atco catalog #. But it does sound like a California zip code.
As I remember the story, the new lineup was going to go by 90125. Jon Anderson was in the area when they began recording and they invited him in to lay down some vocals. During the playback. everyone had to agree that it still sounded like Yes. Since Chris Squire owned the rights to the name, they went with Yes. Soon the new line up would keep Yes and record without Jon (Drama). Jon and others recorded under ABWH.
Someone let me know if this was just an urban legend.
Parts are right, parts aren't quite so.
Abridged version:
First, Squire, White and Jimmy Page were writing and rehearsing with plans to form a band they'd call XYZ. That fell through.
Then, Rabin comes into it, after rehearsing with but turning down a spot as Asia's singer. This band was going to be called "Cinema", with Rabin and Squire sharing vocals. Anderson returned to sing after someone played him a demo tape at a party. Tony Kaye (the original keyboardist) was in, then out (and replaced briefly with Eddie Jobson), then back in, and management suggested this was just another Yes lineup, what with three founding members and a long-time drummer. The band acquiesced. (Eddie Jobson wasn't *quite* fully edited out of the music video for "Owner of a Lonely Heart", but is not on any recordings, live or studio.)
Anderson left shortly after the following album, Big Generator. Wakeman and Bruford were free, as was Howe (after leaving first Asia, then GTR). ABWH results. In this period, hijinks ensue- ABWH tries to advertise themselves as Yes, get told they can't by management and the label, so advertises an "Evening of Yes Music Plus", and Squire tries to get a reluctant Billy Sherwood to be the Yes lead vocalist in Anderson's absence.
Label and band management would mash the two band's faces together to kiss and make up, resulting in a mutant 9-piece lineup for a tour and album. That album is awash in session musicians and third-party writing contributions- Sherwood's tracking session on bass is left intact on the final release of his writing contribution "The More We Live/Let Go", and a bunch of Howe's guitar is replaced by work from Jimmy Haun at producers' request. Wakeman and Howe literally phoned in some of their parts in lieu of appearing in the studio. It's a glorious mess.
This album made me want more yes! Every song on it rocks for me. Leave it, Changes, It can happen are just some highlights! Next album “Big Generator” is great as well!
Machine Messiah (Drama, 1980) . Do it!
Yes it's a must... .Drama is another superb album...
What do we have to do to make this happen, Justin? C'mon! :)
This song did get radio play in my neck of the woods, in fact I would practice my drumming to this song growing up. The is a great rock n roll tune and I love the guitar on this track. Most of the 70's prog bands had a musical direction change during the 80's, whether it be to reach a larger audience or stay relevant, we're still listening and talking about them and that's a good thing. For me, I was never unhappy with the directional change of these prog bands because my tastes in music was more cultivated during the 80's. In fact I would say for Genesis and Yes, I grew up with their 80's sound more vs their 70's music. Enjoyed the reaction JP thanks.
This album and the album Drama are 2 overlooked gems from their discography.
Yes was done after Tormato in 1978. This is the new group Cinema with guest vocalist Jon Anderson.
Calling them Yes was a technicality, similar to what was done on the Drama album...
I agree, it's radio friendly, but it still sounds like Yes.
JP, I would like to see your reaction to Hearts from the same album (the last song). When I heard it in 1983, I became curious to explore the older records with Yes as well. Hearts is probably the most progressive song on 90125
❤s
Like this song a lot. The “talk the simple smile...when we reach we believe in eternity” section I thought was pretty cool (and evidence that Anderson was still writing interesting lyrics at that point), as well as the blending of the “Sunshine, shine on..” chant with the chorus at the end (all with strong harmonies).
I’ve always wondered too what that sound in back of the vocals is...I’ve always thought it’s some kind of processed organ.
Love this album! The Talk album is my favorite of the Rabin years!
I love almost everything YES has done. “YES WEST” is not the same but it is still very good.
I saw this tour twice. The second time at Irvine Meadows in Ca. Was the loudest concert I have ever been too.
Mr. Squires sub units literally made the Earth move.
I was at that Irvine Meadows concert! 3rd center, and Chris's bass made my eyes vibrate!
I remember listening to this record for the first time at my buddies house. We were all relieved that they managed to keep their essence amidst the updated sound of the 80s. It was a highly successful comeback album, and every song has that YES signature. Rabin got a lot of the credit for the production. He's touring with the Anderson branch of the band recently, I saw them a few years ago.
I hope you continue through this record. I remember being in the third row center for the 90210 tour. Fantastic!!! Anderson, and Rabin in the white jumpsuits...I almost lost my wife that day. lol
The first time I heard this song was during a live performance in 1987 in New Jersey. The light show really complimented this song, and the chorus was amazing. Huge guitars! Huge drums.
I agree with the group, that overall Drama would be preferred if we are talking the later years for Yes.
This originally wasn't going to be a Yes album (there's a fairly long story about XYZ, the working for the group that started working on the project, but won't go into the long history of all that). This only because Yes because Jon was asked to step in to do some vocal work. Imo, Changes and Leave It are much closer to what a real pop-style Yes should sound like.
Squire and the suits decided after recording that Anderson's appearance made the lineup close enough to market the LP as a Yes album.
I’m imagining being you and not having to wait for all this music to be written and published as I and many others did.
You are SO LUCKY!
So so true lol
All I heard when this album first came out was "Owner of a Lonely Heart." This does improve my view of their later work.
When I first heard "Owner of a Lonely Heart" on the radio in 1983, I was excited!! Jon Anderson's vocals are distinct. Many of us Yes fans (me since 1974), were happy to hear ANYTHING from Yes! Jon had been gone since 1979 after the Tormato tour, along with Rick Wakeman.
Chris Squire, Steve Howe and Alan White were doing something together in the studio and then The Buggles joined them for the Drama album and tour.
Now in 1982, Squire and White were doing studio stuff because Howe and Geoff Downes left to form Asia with John Wetton and Carl Palmer.
Soooo, I digress... Trevor Rabin joined and they enlisted the help of Yes' original keyboardist, Tony Kaye. Many of the tracks for yet unnamed album were laid down and Jon called Chris to see if he was working on anything. That's how Anderson got involved and they resurrected the band name, Yes.
And then they went on tour. Fortunately for me, they came to Jacksonville, FL in 1984 and I bought 2 GA tickets. I was pressed up against the stage right in front of Trevor Rabin!! They played the entire 90125 album (except Our Song) plus some Yes classics. Perfect concert! Oh, and I happen to love "Hold On" and the entire 90125 album! 💜
This is one of my favorite songs off of the album! I’m a senior in high school and none of my friends listen to music like this. It makes me a little disappointed. I have great memories of blasting this through my speakers while driving through the countryside alone. My other favorite song off of the album is Leave It.
Hold On Is My Favorite From This Great Album! Jon Anderson's Voice Is Amazing! And, The Instrumentation is Impeccable!!
So proud of Yes when they came out with this album. They had lost me, to a certain extent, from post "Close to the Edge" contributions. I absolutely wore this album out. This is NOTABLE.
Thank you for covering this - it's my personal favorite from way back in the day 😊
This is a great record! Worth a listen from start to finish.
Lots of goodies on this album. Changes is my favorite.
Changes and Hearts are favs of mine from this album. It’s a long way from Early Prog but there is enough baseline Yes and Jon’s wonderful vocals to make it listenable. During this period Prog almost disappeared so if this was the price we had to pay to keep seeing Yes live it was well worth it.
Great reaction JP. Thanks for digging deeper into 90125. More great tunes to come.
Ty Kris! Happy to
You nailed. Hold On is one of the great Yes songs!
I'm a die-hard Yes fan, going back to the Fragile days, but I love this album. Like you, I think it sounds like another incarnation of Yes, and I loved that band so, when they got back together and did OOALH, I was thrilled. This album, and the follow-up, Big Generator.....wonderful!
I still enjoy this album totally. Yes was ever changing and this made sense after the Drama album. Rabin gave the band a badly needed boost. Squire and Howe were phenomenal together through the 70s , Rabin and Squire we’re also killer. Check out the Talk album .
yeah dude always my fave song off of the album! suuuuuuuuper positive song
Love this song. Great album.
2 lines of thought...first, if you want to dig deeper into Trevor Rabin-era Yes, I'll suggest the following songs: Changes, City Of Love, Aim High Shoot Low, Almost Like Love (Yes only made 2 balls-out rockers in their whole career; Release Release was the first one, and ALL was the last), The Calling, and Endless Dream.
Secondly, this album was produced by the mad genius Trevor Horn, and you could do a major series of reactions just to artists/songs he produced.
Only 2? What about Drama? "Does It Really Happen?" and "Tempus Fugit"!
And if ALL counts, then so does "Finally" off of The Ladder, frankly.
JP, I think your gonna like the entire album! It's got some very unique time signatures and just overall solid. No real filler!
I absolutely LOVE this song. I suppose I'm the only one, but this is actually my favorite song on this album, out of all the great songs on it.
100% agree. Very good album. Excellent analysis. 👍
This is the first album i heard from Yes.
I heard it nearly hundred times and i fell in love with Yes.
Even more when I get step by step to the seventies albums, then finally it became my favorite band of all time.
It's a great album!
So many good tracks beyond “Owner”… and don’t overlook the whole Big Generator follow up album. Trevor Rabin’s Yes is uniquely different than old Yes, but so good on its own.
And Chris was obviously on boatd.
Love this song. I love the whole album. I think you might love Hearts from this album. Please do Hearts. Hearts!! LOL
If I remember right, this is really a Trevor Rabin Album! He put it before the producers with the desire of Jon Anderson singing on it. Jon came on and then wanted to bring in the Yes group Bass player. Squire, or the producer, then suggested bringing in the entire band and making it a Yes Album . . . and thus the Album came to be.
Good musicianship, good production, always great to hear Jon singing. I base my liking for a song on it's merits, I don't dislike this one it's fine but I'm not going to put it on any time soon., BTW I feel like there's an elephant in the room, anyone else with the same feeling?
@@HippoYnYrEira Ah, you've been watching The Fast Show. I was referring to 10,000 subs and some expectations! Although your suggestions are pretty valid too.
@@HippoYnYrEira Suits you sir!
90125 = Great song writing, exceptional arrangements, and phenomenal production.
I still enjoy this entire album and this is one of my favorites. To me since it has Anderson, Squire and White and a great guitarist then it's Yes. BTW I became a Yes fan when Roundabout came out. This sure beats the hell out of TFTO.
I'm waiting for your step into Drama. until then, Welcome to a Trevor Horn production. The "swirls" is a Trevor Horn influence. Yes this is a really good song on a good solid album. produced by the guy who sang on Drama.
I heard and experience YES in 1968.....and I say you are correct in your reaction and review. This album is one of Yes Masterpieces....The lyrics are relevant for todays world issues...the adding "Rap" and Hip-Hop in the music with Rock n' Roll..... kept the organ or synth out of it a little bit....and added direct lyrics.../more bass and drums and guitar....Lyrics pertain to BLM and Pandemic issues today because these sort of problems were going on in the 80's. Wars, AIDS. Rodney King Riots!!!! Yes was writing music and lyrics with hope for the problems of those days which are practically the problems of today. This is a Great Album!!!
Changes and It Can Happen are the best songs on this album, I prefer their 70s work however this was also amazing
I have to admit (being a longtime Yes fan) that the first time I heard Owner I thought it was a Jon solo song since it sounded so different from their previous history. Of course I went right out and got the album and it took me a while to get over the initial shock of "well this is different." And by a while I mean several years. Now I appreciate 90125 for what it is instead of what I thought it should be, Big Generator not so much, and I simply love Talk. Good review!
Hi Justin! Every time I love more and more your analysis of songs!!! In this case you are absolutely right, I love the very progressive Yes (Relayer is my all time favourite), but I love 90125 too, they changed, they evolved, and created a new Yes, for a new generation, and the "old" fans had the chance to grow up with them. A lot of people hate this album, also Tormato, and Big Generator, but many times I noticed some people didn't listen the complete albums, never gave a true chance, and for me are incredible albums... Thank you again for your great reacts!!!
Ty so much!!
Our Song is my favorite. Never got to see them play it live in 30 shows.
I went to see ARW (who now call themselves Yes featuring ARW) in 2016. Until then I had only heard Owner of a Lonely Heart, and MAYBE Leave It (but pretty sure it was only Lonely Heart) from this album. I was not a big fan at the time and pretty much cast aside the rest of the album, not wanting to give it a chance. They played Hold On and I was honestly blown away by the a capella part. Then I got blown away by Big Generator when they played Rhythm of Love. I had a new outlook on their 80s albums after that night!
I think my favorite song off of this album has to be Our Song. It's very catchy. After that would probably be Changes. Thanks for the video!
What you said about prog bands (for example, Genesis) becoming pop, is exactly what everyone needs to hear, just enjoy good music regardless od the band! This reaction made my heart very happy, one of my fav albums of all time!
JP, I think you would make a great music historian!! You are already doing the work 🌝 I think you will find every song on this album fantastic!!
Ty for that, I have a lot of history to catch up on!
Dear Justin, I can testify what happened to me back in the day, I was a prog fan since 5 years and Genesis began to disappoint me after Abacab and the self titled album just released (both of them with only few great songs for me), in the same time I've just discovered the unique Rush and was totally into this great band. So when I saw the video clip of "Owner of a lonely heart" I felt good because I thought Yes would have become more popular and I liked the song, but as I bought the vinyl and listened to it I was immediately in love with it. Forget the board behind you and keep on this album, after this amazing "Hold on" there are incredible fresh songs like "It can happen", "Changes" (somehow reminds me of old Yes), "Cinema (instr,)/Leave it", "Our song" and the final "Hearts" (again I heard echoes of the past, kind of "And you and I") made this one of the greatest albums ever.
Ty for the input Roberto! I may continue on with it🙃
This album is on fire. The whole LP is great!!
Love the shoutout to Alan White...Maybe the most underappreciated drummer in Prog!...I know a lot of 80s production gets a bad rep, but 90125 is impeccable and it has balls to boot 😃
Great review.
Songs on 90125 really strong, Rabin, one of my favorite 80s' guitar albums.
Totally agree, thus song jams. My friends and I were happy that our favorite band was, on this album, more accessible to a wider audience. Yes, “Owner” was too pop, but it got the girls screaming and ensured Yes would go on for decades, so we were fine with it. I hope you continue with this album, because there’s plenty of excellent song... “It Can Happen”, “Changes”, “City Of Love”, & “Hearts” are favorites.
This was my first Yes album when i was 15 and it made me a big fan. „Changes“ was and is still one of my Favs. If you have a little time just listen to it!
Yes West. Rabin era The Yes Album Howe era turned me become the musician I am today. I do like the change and understand it is more poppy. Has the LA sound. The weird vocal sound is a vocoder
Changes is a great song from this album 💿 Great reaction as usual JP😎
Appreciate that Jim🙃
You’re going to enjoy this album!
Hearts, at the end, is just as epic as their great songs from the 1970's.
This album brought such a freshness in prog-rock genre, still one of my favouite from Yes.
90125 producer Trevor Horn (lead singer on Drama) played with samplers and drum machines on 90125 and as did Alan White. I think Horn was part of group that later produced hits like Tom Jones' Prince cover, "Kiss."
It is one of those songs, and albums, that round out Yes's already great discography!
I really let this record grow on me after my initial shock at their sound change and I'm glad I did. This song I liked almost immediately because of the hard edge that keeps showing up. Even today, it's message seems to speak to me and say "Hold on, Greg, he'll eventually get around to reacting to The Endless Enigma by ELP". Hopeful lyrics, indeed
:)
Great album. Try "It Can Happen". A really good track.
I never heard this one, but for late Yes it’s darn good. Loved them from way back when. This canes a hell of a lot of later Genesis stuff, as much as I like them. Still a quality piece of work from the incredible Yes.
So sharing this with my once gf Diane. Driving down the road listening to this album I'd be really enjoying it, but she'd be rocking hard in the passenger seat like Tina Turner haha 😄
That background vocal is done by a tube in the mouth connected to a machine or keyboard that generates that sound...I have seen Yes in concert 4 times and 2 of those times they performed this song.
90125, my personal favorite Yes album.
Check out the live version’s drum intro on The Word is Live. “Hey Houston. On drums Mr. Alan White. It’s great to be with you tonight!”
I love this album!