There comes a time when you buy an album and after 5 spins on the cd player, mp3 player or what ever listening device you have, you finally see why the album was popular at the time of its release and why that album will stand the test of time. First off, I want to set the record straight: I didn't know what I was getting into when I bought this album and didn't know what to expect. I also want to say I never really cared for the band Yes. That was until I heard a song at work called "I've Seen All Good People", I instantly loved the jingle jangle guitar work and the layered vocals. I had to know who was the band/singer of the song and found it to be the band Yes. I wanted to hear more of the layered vocals and odd instrumentation. Because of this I pulled their "90125" album out again to hear what I found I liked about this rock band.
"90125" is/was the start of a new beginning for the group and the return of former vocalist Jon Anderson, who quit back in 1979 and the introduction of new member Trevor Rabin on guitars/vocals/keys. This was also their turn to use the synths and keyboards to the best of their knowledge and combine it with their rock roots to make an album that was radio friendly and a hit with fans and with new listeners.
Of course everyone loved "Owner Of A Broken Heart" which I think gets a bit repetitive. Don't get me wrong! I like the song but there is only so much of it I can take. The other songs that made it to radio and on the charts are "Hold On" which plays like a down trodden track that you should listen to when you need a good friend to pick you up. This is one of my favorites on this album. "It Can Happen" leaves an oriental image in my head with the oriental sound in the intro of the song. I like this song as it is a message for you to open your eyes to what could be and what is happening to your life. "Changes" I remember hearing on the radio when I was little and has an eerie feeling to it. The song is about how you take the changes in your life and how the things you do can affect not only you but others around you. "Leave It" is a fun song full of the stuff that everyone can recognize as being "80's" I think everyone can figure out what this song talks about, taking what you can and leave the rest behind. Funny thing about this song, the first time I heard it brought back a memory. I remember hearing this song on the radio, the tv being on and seeing Gumby on the screen. So now whenever i hear it I think of the fun toys the 80's brought us. Also as a bit of trivia, this song had a video for it as that was the popular thing to do as a musician/band in the '80's. Actually this song has 15 videos made by Godley and Cream who were responsible for a lot of popular videos back then.
The other songs on this album are classics as well in their own right. "City of Love" is awesome as it sounds like it is a slowed down cousin song of Starship's "We Built This City" as the guitars take precedence over the keys and synths. When the keys come in the song, they aren't over the top. The cool deepness to the guitars and the cheeriness of the keys are a good combo. The vocals are strong and tight and I like that. One of the best songs on this album.
The track "Hearts" closes the album on a tender note, may it be considered the 'ballad' on the album since there really are no ballads. Also "Cinema" is the only instrumental song on the album.
Overall the album is a 4 out of 5 stars for me. All the songs are great, but 2 that are not standouts like others. I think the band faired very well with Jon Anderson returning and getting ex-Buggle/Art of Noise member Trevor Horn to join the band and produce the album to make it an album from the eighties well worth having in your collection.
