YES – Fly From Here (Frontiers Records)
This is the new album of YES that came back with the new singer, Benoit David, who is replacing Jon Anderson. Additionaly, Geoff Downes helps with the keyboards and Trevor Horn is in charge of the production tasks and contributes in the songwriting as well. The comeback of the band was received with great enthusiasm by the fans but the departure of Jon Anderson made a lot of the fans thinking if this is a project or a new start for the band. I can say that the new album must be considered a classic YES album for sure! The symphonic elements that are the competitive advantages of the band along with the complex compositions can satisfy the expectations of the passionate audience. Benoit David is a good choice for the band since his vocals sound almost similar with the Anderson’s vocals. Of course without being disrespectful towards John, my point of view is that the young blood will offer new opportunities for the band and will take over YES history in the next level. The ultimate question for their followers is if they expect to keep in memory the classic line up of YES or if they wish to continue the band’s contribution to the history of qualitative music with the new members. My argument in this battle is that we have to focus on the result of this new music team so as to judge them and not hold back under the influence of the retro mode of thought.
At the end of the day, music is what matters and not the political process that happens behind the scene and between the band’s members. The new generation of fans will remember YES due to the quality of “Fly From Here” and not for the new singer. As we move into a new era where cloud music will eliminate the security of being a classic brandname and will focus on the quality of new music there are no options for oldschool artists that want to sell albums by taking advantage of the past. The present situation in the music industry needs new music for the new generation of fans, otherwise the retirement still remains a choice.
The new album will satisfy the audience that liked the sound of the band during the 90125 days and of course it is very important to add that Geoff Downes signs this album with an “Asia” ink that offers quality and artistic pleasure.
Info: http://www.yesworld.com/
