BIG GENERATOR

Yes: Trevor Rabin (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Chris Squire (vocals, bass); Jon Anderson (vocals); Tony Kaye (keyboards); Alan White (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: James Zavala (harmonica, horns); Lee R. Thornberg, Nick Lane, Greg Smith (horns). Engineers: Paul De Villiers, Alan Goldberg. Producers: Trevor Rabin, Trevor Horn, Yes. With 1987's BIG GENERATOR, Yes continued in the synthesizer-laden, production-heavy mode that had made the band's comeback album, 90125, such a success. While some diehard fans found this era of Yes to be in contrast to the band's previous classically influenced art rock, this incarnation of the band had plenty of the strong musicianship and fantastical imagination that had propelled the group to legendary status in the '70s. Indeed, producer Trevor Horn and the band succeeded in creating an intriguing sonic landscape that only Yes could conceive. At first listen, songs like the opening "Rhythm of Love," with its ethereal choir introduction and rocking riffs, may seem superficial, but the soaring vocals of Jon Anderson and the inventive orchestration of Rabin make it well worth the effort. Likewise, the disc's title track is the heaviest groove the group ever produced. The song also has enough unusual twists and turns to raise even the most stoic eyebrow. The mysterious "Shoot High Aim Low" and "Final Eyes" offer many stunning wonders that uphold the tradition of Yes' music beautifully. Finally, Anderson's superior performance on the closing "Holy Lamb" leaves listeners with plenty to relish.