Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A highly successful venture into audio imagery, December 5, 2001
First , let me qualify this review by stating briefly that I am a professional sound engineer/producer with numerous CD projects to my credit (though none exceptionally ambitous), and a long-time fan of progressive rock music as well as a great variety of other genres. I first sampled the new album by downloading the MP3 for "We Agree" I was sitting at my studio console and decided to give the track a listen through my old-school but trusted JBL 4311 studio monitors. I was immediately impressed by the overall excellence of the recording, which without doubt sets a new standard for quality in audio production for a "popular music" group. As the track progressed I could not help but become emotionally involved in the movements presented by the orchestral arrangements and when it was all over I simply sat quietly in amazement, overwhelmed by he entire experience. The entire piece lasted but a few minutes and left me feeling as though I had just sat through a great film, or read a good book. I felt moved to tears...something no piece of music has ever done to me in my 40+ years. Undoubtedly, it doesn't' hurt to have a film score arranger collaborate on the tracks, but that alone is not a recipe for success! My curiosity aroused, wanted to experience the entire album ASAP but not as a MP3 translation of the real thing...It wasn't enough to simply go and find all the songs on the net and download the goods...I had to actually buy the album because I wanted to hear it as it was intended to be heard!!! Record Companies take note!!! When your product is this good you stand to lose a lot less money to the Napsters of the world. There is nary a weak moment on this album and in this reviewer's opinion is at the cutting edge of anything Yes has released since their early days. Along with the overall sonic excellence...It simply has to be heard! Put on your best headphones, turn the lights down and the volume up, and prepare to be transported.....No, you probably can't hum or whistle the "Hit Single" on your way to work, but as a collective piece of work it simply has to be experienced. The arrangements compel the listener to simply surrender to the moment and be carried into a world of audio fantasy that plays out in one's imagination. It would be a shame to have to be subjected to a video of any of these pieces as it would more than likely remove the listener/viewer somewhat from their own interpretation of the superbly crafted imagery woven into the fabric of this work. This is the best constructed album I have had the pleasure of listening to in years! but it shouldn't end there...plans are in the works to release "Magnification" on DVD audio in 5.1 mix! Should this indeed be realized, audiophiles take note: I predict the DVD audio release of this album will set the standard by which all others shall be judged for some time to come! And I will buy the DVD as well!
In short, a must-have album for any YES fan, and for anyone who is even remotely interested in audio production and arranging ... you can't afford to miss this! A real pleasure cruise....Oh.... if you want music to dance to....you have probably never heard of YES anyway.....
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classical Yes, Like I've Never Heard It Before, December 6, 2001
I have been captivated by Yes since I heard the first dramatic notes of "Yours Is No Disgrace" while standing on shag carpet in a friend's basement as a seventh grader in the early 1970s. I had never hear anything like it. Now, almost 30 years later, as the father of a seventh grader, I was skeptical when I learned that Yes was going to make a record with an symphony orchestra rather than a keyboard player. Since keyboards tend to mimic the natural accoustical instruments played in an orchestra, I thought why not? If the Beatles could do it with George Martin in the 1960s, certainly my favorite band could do it today. And they did it, again. I almost felt like I was standing on that old shag carpet again when I listened to Magnification for the first time yesterday. Because again, I had never heard anything like it. No, Magnification is not old Yes backed by elevator music. It is new Yes that integrates beautifully with the orchestra. At times, Magnification is powerful, sometimes like a movie soundtrack (Titanic comes to mind), while backed by by large portions of the orchestra. At other times, Magnification is sweet and simple, "Soft As A Dove" as Jon Anderson puts it, with merely a flute backing Steve Howe's beautiful accoustic guitar. Throughout the album, Steve Howe seems to play more accoustic than electric guitars. Unlike many rock albums, which feature an almost constant drum beat, Alan White plays almost like an orchestra percussion section. He plays well and when appropriate for the needed effects, but not constantly. Chris Squire's base playing is dynamic, but his playing also seems styled to work with the orchestra. I too enjoyed hearing Chris Squire as a lead vocalist. It was also interesting to hear how Jon's voice blended as a backup vocalist for Chris. I, unlike some critics, have always enjoyed the way Jon Anderson almost paints with his lyrics. His lyrics are a little less paint-like on this one, but I still enjoy them. To me, Magnification, like past Yes works, captures the power and beauty of music. Magnification, however, does so in a new and different way. My advice, buy it now. And to Messrs. Anderson, Squire, Howe, and White and alumni, thank you for the 30 years of enjoyment your music has given me. What a gift.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Whole New Sound, Ranks With Their Best!, December 5, 2001
To me, MAGNIFICATION ranks as one of Yes' best efforts ever...and that's really saying something considering this is the band of CLOSE TO THE EDGE, THE YES ALBUM, etc. It would, however, be a mistake to characterize this as a continuation of those early triumphs, the Trevor Rabin period, or any other Yes incarnation. For the first time in many years, Yes has gone in an entirely new direction with this recording.First of all, I would say that this is the best integration of rock music with a symphony orchestra ever recorded, with the possible exception of the Moody Blues' DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED. The orchestra here replaces the missing keyboard in the Yes sonic lineup with spectacular results. The sound is totally organic and uncontrived. Next, the music has a structural energy and content integrity that I haven't heard from Yes in the last several outings. This is not what some long-time fans have labeled "Yes lite", the hook-filled anthems that have characterized the last few albums and that, while satisfying in their own way, were not as compositionally advanced. This music has a captivating complexity that lends itself to multiple hearings, but in an entirely new way than earlier recordings. What it lacks in Yes' characteristic time signature changes, etc., it more that makes up for with sonic depth and texture. This is truly a Yes for the new century. The band has matured into something altogether new, which wonderfully compliments and adds to its earlier efforts. Congratulations!
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