----------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 6, 1996 ----------------------------------------------- Source: JAM! Showbiz http://www.canoe.ca/JamAlbumsY/yes_ascension.html Return of Yes a disappointment By John Powell Set adrift in the far reaches of the cosmos, we thought we'd heard the last of it. But like forgotten space junk searing through the atmosphere; seventies Space Rock has crash-landed back on Earth. Be thankful that in Cyberspace no one can hear you scream or you'd be getting an earful. Yes, the mystic band that put the "Art" in Art Rock was widely acknowledged as a revisionist force blending jazz, rock, classical and international rhythms to create a pleasantly fresh sound. Faithfully evolving, they were "progressive" prior to the whole Techno Pop, New Wave scene. To the rapture of some and the outright displeasure of others, their latest -- Keys To Ascension -- is a time warp revisiting the days of bell-bottoms and love-ins. Recorded at a live concert in San Luis Obispo, California; Keys highlights "classic" Yes tunes and as a footnote contains two new studio tracks. Which of the suitcase toting members make up Yes this go around? It's the quintessential lineup: Jon Anderson's vocals, Steve Howe on lead guitar, Chris Squire on bass, Rick Wakeman keyboarding into another dimension and Alan White rapping the skins. More "Tales From Topographic Oceans" retold, if you will. Raising the curtain with Siberian Khatru off their breakthrough Close To The Edge (1972) release, Yes trips over themselves. Throughout the package Wakeman plays Buzz Lightyear, his retro synthesizers more a kin to a cheesy sci-fi flick than a rock song. Sorry, Rick. The position in ELO has been filled. Nobody reins Wakeman in and the tracks sag because of it. Howe's impressive guitar work on Keys is rock solid. Siberian is a write-off. Calm returns in the 20 minute-plus epic, "The Revealing Science Of God" in which the sensational artistry of the individual members is experienced. How does Anderson remember the words? I have no idea. Paul Simon's soul-searching America... I've come to look for America / Laughing on the bus / Playing games with the faces / ...flourishes with a grand finale jam that does what Yes does best... assail our senses and lifting us higher. The live rendition of "Roundabout" is the band cutting loose. Its energy and liveliness mightily slays the version on Classic Yes (1981). Latest studio tracks, "Be The One" and "That, That Is," are self-indulgent clutter. Anderson's love bead-magic crystal-yogic flying influences seize the creative controls; the ethereal chants and clicking castanets edge Yes into New Age territory. The lyrics penned by Anderson (The spirit of the angel / Angels sing "Shava, shava, shava. Shava." -- Huh? What the hell is that?) are foggier than usual. Gritty ghetto life as the subject of "That, That Is -- Cars screaming round the corner / Drugged to heaven / Guns are loaded / Locked in vengeance / -- conflict altogether with the band's spiritual inclinations. The key to ascension, the way to enlightenment, is judiciously moving forward not bounding backward. Rating: 3 /5 Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com