Aurora by Yes
I'm listening to Aurora (Bonus Tracks Edition), and the first (and title) track is very good indeed. The band are in fine form. I question slightly the mix of band and occasional orchestra, which sounds a bit odd to me, but it essentially works. The lyrics are suitably mystical nonsense, and the vocal melodies compete with the best Jon Anderson ever did with the added advantage of being in tune (see previous reviews of 'classic' Yes). Overall, a very strong start. I get the sense that Steve Howe is now the dominant instrumentalist - the keyboards are more supporting than front and centre. Turnaround Situation, the second track, suffers from that 'awkward lyric' syndrome which has afflicted Yes at times in recent years. To my ears, it sounds like a contrived set of words over an unimaginative song. That one's a miss for me. As the third song starts, I'm beginning to wonder if Yes are largely now a pastiche of themselves, but actually I think that's unfair...