Steven Shinder
Bio
Author of fantasy horror comedy novel Lemons Loom Like Rain, which is available on Amazon. You can also read excerpts at stevenshinder.com and check out facebook.com/StevenShinderStorytelling.
Stories (81/0)
'Going for the One'—Songs Cast a Light on You
In 1976, after much touring for Relayer and working on solo albums, Yes took the time to record their next album, this time in Montreux, Switzerland. Though keyboardist Patrick Moraz was involved initially, he was let go from the band. Rick Wakeman was invited back as a session musician, eventually being persuaded to be a full member again. And so, the Tales from Topographic Oceans lineup of Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Rick Wakeman (keyboard), and Alan White (drums) put out Going for the One. Released in July 1977, it was a bit more of an eclectic album, but the material presented made the album a good listen after nearly three years of no new studio albums from Yes.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
'Relayer' - A True Fruition
Tales from Topographic Oceans was an album that was the pinnacle of Yes music in the eyes of some, and an example of over-indulgence in the eyes of others. After the tour, Rick Wakeman left the band, and Yes were in need of another keyboardist. They ended up with former Refugee member Patrick Moraz, who added his own unique flavor to the album that became Relayer. Released November 28, 1974, Relayer was the seventh album released by Yes within a span of a little more than five years, which is an impressive feat. Indeed, any band with that much output within so small of a span should feel proud to have an album like Relayer at the end of that span.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
'Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus' Review of Doom
From March 30, 2001 to December 10, 2002, Invader Zim aired on Nickelodeon. After it got cancelled, several finished episodes ended up on DVD in 2004 and didn't air in the US until they ended up on Nicktoons in 2006. Since then, the 2015 comic series has been the only ongoing Invader Zim content. But now, we have the Netflix movie Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus, which reflects the art style of the comics and brings familiar characters on an absurd and hilarious adventure.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Futurism
'Tales from Topographic Oceans' - Fusions of Wonder
After Yes had a successful tour in support of Close to the Edge (well documented on the Yessongs live album and video and the Progeny box set), Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), and Alan White (drums) recorded an album that went a step further than Close to the Edge. Some might say that this next album went over the edge, but others (myself included) would call this a favorite Yes album and a great achievement in the history of the band.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
The Character I Really Want to See in 'Star Wars Resistance' Season 2
A trailer has finally dropped for the second season of the Disney XD animated show Star Wars Resistance, which is being advertised as the final season. The first season was somewhat of a slow burn, but it culminated in high-stakes events toward the end, pushing the characters in a direction that will be intriguing to see play out.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Futurism
'Close to the Edge' - Taste the Fruit of Yes Recorded
Following Fragile and subsequent touring, the Yes lineup of Jon Anderson (vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), and Rick Wakeman (keyboard) returned to the studio in 1972. For The New Age of Atlantic, they recorded a 10-and-a-half-minute cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "America" (previously over 16 minutes on The Yes Album tour, where it had a tiny bit of what would end up in "Roundabout").
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
'Fragile'—Agile Yes Music
After The Yes Album (which was certified silver in the UK and platinum in the US) advanced Yes music, the band toured successfully, even playing shows in America for the first time. Following that tour, keyboardist Tony Kaye was asked to leave the band, and Chris Squire called Rick Wakeman of The Strawbs late at night to ask if he wanted to join the band. After speaking to Yes manager Brian Lane, Wakeman decided to play with Jon Anderson (vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), Steve Howe (guitar), and Chris Squire (bass), and the rest was history.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
Does 'Gotham' Prove That 'Batman' Can Work as a Live-Action Show?
Many people have compared the actors who have played Batman in live-action films. And just recently, fans have been debating whether or not Robert Pattinson is a good choice for Matt Reeves' The Batman. But one topic that has never really been debated is live-action Batman actors on television. The reason for this is that there has pretty much only been one: Adam West.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Geeks
'The Yes Album' - A Venture Into Perpetual Change
For many Yes fans, The Yes Album is where much of what Yes is most known for really started. Part of that has to do with the recruitment of guitarist Steve Howe, who helped define their sound throughout the 1970s. He joined Jon Anderson (vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), Tony Kaye (keyboards), and Chris Squire (bass). And the songs were getting lengthier than before. Gone are the cover songs, a few of which they put on their first two albums. While the title The Yes Album is definitely an odd one given that it is their third album, perhaps it is deserving of that title if only for the fact that these tracks are all compositions solely by the members of Yes. The band wanted to move forward, and this album, the first of several produced by Eddy Offord (who was an engineer on Time and a Word) helped them reach more ears when it was released on February 19, 1971.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
DC Universe's 'Swamp Thing' Ends with 'Loose Ends'
Swamp Thing is the third live-action show on DC Universe, following the releases of Titans and Doom Patrol's first seasons. While those two shows take place in the same universe, Swamp Thing is kept more self-contained. While it may not be as great as Doom Patrol, it has been well-acted. Crystal Reed plays Abby Arcane, who witnessed tragedy in her past and investigates a virus in the swamp. She gets the help of scientist Alec Holland (Andy Bean), but then events result in the creation of Swamp Thing, whose human side is conveyed convincingly by Derek Mears. Even though the pacing was slow at times, the great acting makes it a shame that it got cancelled after the first episode premiered. DC Universe did release all ten episodes, and they advertised the last one as a series finale. But it does not feel like a series finale because it leaves loose ends, keeping fans wondering what could have been. This will be discussed in the spoiler section, which will be marked.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Geeks
'Time and a Word' - Good Yes Music Then and Now
Yes' first album may not have made the biggest splash, but it showcased some of the adventurous drive that would remain within the band for years to come. Original members Jon Anderson (vocals), Peter Banks (guitar), Bill Bruford (drums), Tony Kaye (keyboard), and Chris Squire (bass) could have very well remained content and done another similar albu. And in some ways, Time and a Word is similar, even right down to having eight tracks, two of which are covers. But it was decided that an orchestra conducted by Tony Cox should be included, thus giving Yes' second album a different flavor. Released July 24, 1970 (just a day short of the one-year anniversary of the first album's release), Time and a Word showcased an early instance of the continuous evolution of Yes music.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
'Yes: 50 Live' Is a Must-Have for EnthusiYests
The newest official release from Yes is a live album from Rhino Records titled Yes: 50 Live. Its general release is August 2, 2019, just a day short of the 51st anniversary of the first Yes gig. However, the live album has been available at live shows during The Royal Affair Tour that Yes, Asia, Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy, and John Lodge of The Moody Blues have just completed. As far as the cover art goes, Roger Dean has done it again, capturing the fantastical and epic feel that Yes music can evoke.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat