Classic Rock Album of the Day- Yes- Talk (1994) *****
Yes, is a beloved band by many of us, and are among the greatest stalwarts of prog in both quality of longevity. Finding a great Yes album to review is like shooting fish in barrel. If you ask all of us fans, of the what constituted their core greatest, you'd probably come up with a line up like this... Anderson-Howe-Wakefield-Squire-Bruford from about 75-90% of us, including me.
But, if there is one outside that core that is considered the greatest, there might be some differing opinions, but in my choice it is no doubt Trevor Babin. Babin is an incredibly talented songwriter, classical composer, and musicianship who pretty much help re-invent Yes for a whole new generation in the mid to late 1980's with "90125" and "Big Generator", as he very much dominates the music making chops of the era of Yes he participated in. To provide an idea of the level of innovation by Mr. Babin listen below some of his non-Yes endeavors, including composing the TV NBA theme song, and one of my favorite Movie soundtracks of all time... "National Treasure".
Babin's compositions augmented beautifully with Yes' prog repertoire, and had enough quirk and hook to be truly and fascinatingly listenable. On almost every tune. His ability to write songs that vary in such style and meter, truly make him a master of his trade. I could have easily chosen today the more well known works of 90125, and Big Generator, but I wanted to highlight this gem that was pretty much overlooked by the Rock loving community. And again overlooked as a prog masterpiece when much of the rock listening public was jamming to Grunge. Talk allowed Babin to really do some out of the box (I normally hate that term) writing, and some of the stuff sounded nothing like prior Yes work. This may be one the most obscure works that I given 5 stars too. I loved it, and was sad that it went so overlooked by the music listening public. Babin is listed as first (lead) in songwriting on every song. This was his baby, and was it ever great. This was Rabin's last time with Yes, but it sure did he seal his legacy in the band.
Fun Fact: Think Rabin was a one hit wonder with his movie sound track creations? Here is a list of some the many movies scores he did you may have heard of... Con Air, Armageddon, Enemy of the State, Jack Frost, Gone in 60 Seconds, Remember the Titans, Rock Star, Bad Company, Texas Rangers, Kangaroo Jack, Glory Road, and many more.
Track
========
1- The Calling- Song leads with always awesome harmonizations, and blends into a rocking gem. At the end the band almost creates a bass mellotron sound and chordal fade that sounds like nothing I have heard before from the band. Anderson's vocal fade just give this sound an air of magic. 2
2- I am Waiting- Maybe the most ballad like song on the CD. Sorrowful wailing Babin guitar blends impeccably with Anderson's high tenor so well. This song also has such a nice touch of almost multi-phasic styles. Just when you think the song has taken a full ballad approach, it rocks into standard fare, and then quickly into a semi-funk ditty, and so on. This isn't simple songwriting, this is someone who is among the best at their craft. Babin's ability to make even a single song come across as a symphonic piece is remarkable. 4
3. Real Love- Totally different than anything else, though it does have that Big Generator feel to in how Babin incorporated the bass into a song that mimics a mechanical process. Props to Squire as always in being able to maintain beat, volume, and meter to match that mechanical feel that Babin wanted on this one. At times this thing has that "thumpy funk" vibe to it. And with again a lot of complex orchestration that became his norm. 6
4. State of Play- My favorite song on the album- Somewhat of an anti-ode to Manhattan Project, and nuclear proliferation. Absolutely beautiful and masterful encompassive chordal progression and as usual with this album, writing takes the listener on a tour-de- force of varying musical styles, with so many innovative parts. And I believe Anderson saw this genius too, as his voice is stronger and truer than in at least 3 or 4 previous albums. 1
5. Walls- Yes, this is pretty much a C & W slant on this one. But is so damned good. Maybe the most hooked piece on the LP, but of course Babin changes course, and springs some surprises. By now.... You know you've been listening to a masterpiece. I bet Babin had a blast at the end doing the country licks. 5
6. Where Will You Be- Babin is now showing off his South African roots, with an African sounding ballad that mixes complex time and key change signatures in a fantastic matter. This one sounds a lot like what he does on his sound track work. Some of Babin's guitar work almost sounds like Howe, and that is understood in the mix, but please don't overlook and enjoy. 7
7.-9. Endless Dream (Suite- Silent Spring, Talk, Endless Dream) I've have grouped this into one, because musically it truly is a suite in pure prog fashion. This one is going to be pretty ambivalent for the fans. I personally have a symphonic streak to me, that recognizes what and how the suite is supposed to be constructed, and delivered. In this 15 minute 3 movement work, I would love to see a true full orchestra score to be applied to the work. It's got the same level of quirk and change as the rest of the album, but intended to be set as a melodic work than rocking. 3
This is one of those rare works without filler. Enjoy.
Yes, is a beloved band by many of us, and are among the greatest stalwarts of prog in both quality of longevity. Finding a great Yes album to review is like shooting fish in barrel. If you ask all of us fans, of the what constituted their core greatest, you'd probably come up with a line up like this... Anderson-Howe-Wakefield-Squire-Bruford from about 75-90% of us, including me.
But, if there is one outside that core that is considered the greatest, there might be some differing opinions, but in my choice it is no doubt Trevor Babin. Babin is an incredibly talented songwriter, classical composer, and musicianship who pretty much help re-invent Yes for a whole new generation in the mid to late 1980's with "90125" and "Big Generator", as he very much dominates the music making chops of the era of Yes he participated in. To provide an idea of the level of innovation by Mr. Babin listen below some of his non-Yes endeavors, including composing the TV NBA theme song, and one of my favorite Movie soundtracks of all time... "National Treasure".
Babin's compositions augmented beautifully with Yes' prog repertoire, and had enough quirk and hook to be truly and fascinatingly listenable. On almost every tune. His ability to write songs that vary in such style and meter, truly make him a master of his trade. I could have easily chosen today the more well known works of 90125, and Big Generator, but I wanted to highlight this gem that was pretty much overlooked by the Rock loving community. And again overlooked as a prog masterpiece when much of the rock listening public was jamming to Grunge. Talk allowed Babin to really do some out of the box (I normally hate that term) writing, and some of the stuff sounded nothing like prior Yes work. This may be one the most obscure works that I given 5 stars too. I loved it, and was sad that it went so overlooked by the music listening public. Babin is listed as first (lead) in songwriting on every song. This was his baby, and was it ever great. This was Rabin's last time with Yes, but it sure did he seal his legacy in the band.
Fun Fact: Think Rabin was a one hit wonder with his movie sound track creations? Here is a list of some the many movies scores he did you may have heard of... Con Air, Armageddon, Enemy of the State, Jack Frost, Gone in 60 Seconds, Remember the Titans, Rock Star, Bad Company, Texas Rangers, Kangaroo Jack, Glory Road, and many more.
Track
========
1- The Calling- Song leads with always awesome harmonizations, and blends into a rocking gem. At the end the band almost creates a bass mellotron sound and chordal fade that sounds like nothing I have heard before from the band. Anderson's vocal fade just give this sound an air of magic. 2
2- I am Waiting- Maybe the most ballad like song on the CD. Sorrowful wailing Babin guitar blends impeccably with Anderson's high tenor so well. This song also has such a nice touch of almost multi-phasic styles. Just when you think the song has taken a full ballad approach, it rocks into standard fare, and then quickly into a semi-funk ditty, and so on. This isn't simple songwriting, this is someone who is among the best at their craft. Babin's ability to make even a single song come across as a symphonic piece is remarkable. 4
3. Real Love- Totally different than anything else, though it does have that Big Generator feel to in how Babin incorporated the bass into a song that mimics a mechanical process. Props to Squire as always in being able to maintain beat, volume, and meter to match that mechanical feel that Babin wanted on this one. At times this thing has that "thumpy funk" vibe to it. And with again a lot of complex orchestration that became his norm. 6
4. State of Play- My favorite song on the album- Somewhat of an anti-ode to Manhattan Project, and nuclear proliferation. Absolutely beautiful and masterful encompassive chordal progression and as usual with this album, writing takes the listener on a tour-de- force of varying musical styles, with so many innovative parts. And I believe Anderson saw this genius too, as his voice is stronger and truer than in at least 3 or 4 previous albums. 1
5. Walls- Yes, this is pretty much a C & W slant on this one. But is so damned good. Maybe the most hooked piece on the LP, but of course Babin changes course, and springs some surprises. By now.... You know you've been listening to a masterpiece. I bet Babin had a blast at the end doing the country licks. 5
6. Where Will You Be- Babin is now showing off his South African roots, with an African sounding ballad that mixes complex time and key change signatures in a fantastic matter. This one sounds a lot like what he does on his sound track work. Some of Babin's guitar work almost sounds like Howe, and that is understood in the mix, but please don't overlook and enjoy. 7
7.-9. Endless Dream (Suite- Silent Spring, Talk, Endless Dream) I've have grouped this into one, because musically it truly is a suite in pure prog fashion. This one is going to be pretty ambivalent for the fans. I personally have a symphonic streak to me, that recognizes what and how the suite is supposed to be constructed, and delivered. In this 15 minute 3 movement work, I would love to see a true full orchestra score to be applied to the work. It's got the same level of quirk and change as the rest of the album, but intended to be set as a melodic work than rocking. 3
This is one of those rare works without filler. Enjoy.
