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'90125'—Yes Moving Through Some Changes

So The Story Goes...

By Steven ShinderPublished 5 years ago 11 min read
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The 90125 album cover strayed away from the Roger Dean style, perhaps to give the band a new visual identity.

After Yes' break-up and the failed attempt at forming XYZ (eX-Yes-Zeppelin) with Jimmy Page in 1981, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White were looking for a new project. Around this time, South African guitarist Trevor Rabin (formerly of Rabbit) recorded demos for a solo album. He was also considered for Asia, which ended up being a prog rock supergroup that included Yes alumni Geoff Downes and Steve Howe. (A recording of an early version of "Only Time Will Tell" with Rabin on lead vocals exists.)

Phil Carson of Atlantic Records introduced Rabin to Squire and White in 1982. They aspired to work together as a band called Cinema. Squire got in touch with founding Yes member Tony Kaye, who agreed to play keyboards in the band. Trevor Horn, who had sung lead vocals on the last Yes album Drama, became the producer for the album that was in the works, though he would contribute backing vocals. Cinema recorded such songs as "Make It Easy" (reworked from a Rabin demo titled "Don't Give In") and "It's Over," with Rabin on lead vocals. As great as they were, the record label felt that the vocals were lacking something.

And so it was that Squire met up with former Yes vocalist Jon Anderson, who had done a couple of solo albums and worked as half of Jon & Vangelis. After hearing the material, Anderson agreed to join Cinema. However, there were threats of legal action regarding the use of the name Cinema, since it was apparently already in use. Against Rabin's protests, Cinema became a new iteration of Yes. Tony Kaye would leave during the production of the album, not wanting to deal with the modern keyboards that the band wanted to use, leaving Rabin to complete perhaps most of the keyboard work. After the recording of the album, Eddie Jobson was considered as a replacement. But Kaye returned by the time of the tour.

Released on November 7, 1983, 90125 (named after the catalog number) was a pop rock album, very different from all the Yes albums that came before. While it would draw in a new wave of fans, some of the longtime fans would be opposed to this new direction. Over the years, some have used Rabin as a scapegoat for the new sound, but it really was not his idea to make Cinema into Yes. And what's interesting is that his demos for what ended up on this album were more rocking than the final versions. And Anderson's solo albums were already heading in a poppy direction, as evidenced by 1982s Animation. So there were various factors that fed into the change in Yes' style. They adapted to the 1980s, as did other prog rock groups like Genesis and Rush. On a surface level, 90125 is like Fragile, an album with nine tracks, the first of which would gain commercial success.

A lesser known music video for "Owner of a Lonely Heart."

1. "Owner of a Lonely Heart"

To some, Yes is known as the band that did "Owner of a Lonely Heart." This might make fans who prefer the prog rock material cringe. But then again, maybe this song would lead some to explore the rest of the catalog. A demo by Rabin from 1981 (which would later be included on his 90125 album) is more like a very upbeat arena rock song. The version here by Yes, however, is more subdued.

The presence of Rabin's guitar is made known from the start. When Anderson's vocals come in, this may have been an alert to some fans that this was Yes. The snapping is a new element for Yes music. "The eagle in the sky" brings the other hit song "Roundabout" to mind. (Yes members would perform both of these hits at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in April 2017). There is sampled screaming, or yelling, or however you want to put it. Then Rabin shreds his guitar, the new Yes musician showcasing what he can do. The studio version feels much more casual than the usual live renditions that are more rocking. The song fades out here, but the outros on live versions are somewhat interesting, though they may be over the top.

2. "Hold On"

The Rabin demos included "Hold On" and "Moving In," and this track incorporates elements of both. Compared to "Owner of a Lonely Heart," "Hold On," is a step up to my ears. The lyrics are a bit more abstract. "Jigsaw puzzle traitors / Set to spill the beans." These words feel like they were made up to complete the puzzle that is this song. It's actually easy listening, not too complex. Though the verses "Blood flows in the desert / Dark citadels burning too" sounds more Yes-like. White's drumming feels prominent on this song. Noticeable keys accompany "Sunshine shine on shine on through." As was the case on Fragile song "Long Distance Runaround," there is a need to look for the sunshine. Like the previous track, "Hold On" ends with a fadeout.

"It Can Happen" music video.

3. "It Can Happen"

As if to answer "Does It Really Happen?" from Drama, 90125 provides us with "It Can Happen." The 1982 Cinema demo (included on YesYears and the 2004 Rhino reissue of 90125) had Squire on lead vocals. But now, Anderson has the lead. However, Squire's voice still has a strong presence every now and then. The intro was apparently written by Squire on piano, and that intro on the Cinema version sounds more live the live renditions of the song.

The sitar and tambura are played by Deepak Khazanchi. His intro feels very trance-like. Perhaps skeptics might have thought, "Maybe this is Yes after all." The verse "It's a constant fight" brings to mind the themes of "Ritual" and "The Gates of Delirium." "Look up, look down / Look out, look around" is a bit reminiscent of "Looking Around" from the first Yes album.

During the guitar solo in the middle, there is some odd audio spliced in. This may be John Gielgud saying lines from The Importance of Being Earnest. Perhaps if "Money" had originally been included on Tormato, this would not have felt as odd. Whatever the reason for this, "It Can Happen" ends on a note of optimism as it fades out. The song was actually included at the end of the short-lived 2010 TV show Glory Daze, a comedy-drama about college life in 1986.

"Changes" live in Dortmund, Germany 1984.

4. "Changes"

The percussion and keys in the intro stand out, as well as the guitar that takes a moment to let out a roar. Now this sounds more like a complex Yes song. There is an intensity throughout the beginning of this track. And it turns out that it is Rabin singing lead, reminiscing about fallen love. He is a talented singer, and, after all, this is based on another one of his demos. He sings the relatable "I look into the mirror / I see no happiness." And he brings a feeling of regret to such words as "As if you didn't care."

There is a sense of urgency during the verse "When I look into your eyes and try to find out how." A particularly odd sentiment that stands out to me is the verse "Your heart is inside your head." I suppose this means that one may overthink their romantic feelings. After this, Anderson is more prominent in the vocals. "Only through love changes come" sounds very much like how Yoda would speak. Fitting, given that Anderson has sometimes said he was the Obi-Wan to Squire's Darth Vader. All in all, "Changes" has a nice moodiness to it that makes it really stand out.

5. "Cinema"

"Cinema" begins with galloping drumsticks. And then the other instruments come in to accompany the beat. This instrumental feels very cinematic, so it's no wonder that it was used to open concerts and the 9012Live video. There was once a 20-minute version of "Cinema" titled "Time," but no known recording seems to be available, having been lost to time. At just a little over two minutes, though, "Cinema" demonstrates the might that these musicians' music can convey. Yes received a well-deserved Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance thanks to this piece. Along with "Owner of a Lonely Heart," a Yes lineup of Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin, Chris Squire, and Alan White would perform this in November 2004 at a Prince's Trust concert honoring Trevor Horn.

One of various edits of the "Leave It" music video.

6. "Leave It"

As was the case on Fragile, track six of nine is a song that begins with an "L." This time, it's "Leave It." An a capella opening brings us in. The line "Breaking down the dreams we make real" subverts expectation slightly. Before "real" is sung, it sounds as if the line refers to the act of interpreting dreams. But it actually seems that it may mean to literally break down whatever dreams have come true, if I'm not mistaken. I won't try to spend too much time dissecting the words. There would especially be no use in trying to interpret the repeated "Doot, doot." "Leave It" is a very catchy, radio-friendly track. The repeated "Hello, hello, heaven" is a bit like "We Have Heaven" from Fragile, sounding as if it's echoing through the sky. White's drumming echoes at certain points as well. Also of note is that Graham Preskett plays violin on this song. The ending is very abrupt, but maybe that is the point, to just leave it.

7. "Our Song"

There is a very nice keyboard intro on "Our Song." Then heavier instrumentation comes storming in. It is a very upbeat tune. Toledo is mentioned as a reference to the Toledo Sports Arena, where, in 1977, Yes performed even though it got as hot as 126 degrees (according to Alan White). This would explain the lyrics, "Hot sun - Crowded - Screams high voices." Despite the temperature, it seems that the music gave them reason to power on: "Our song / It gives us a reason." Indeed it would give musicians a reason, and the listeners as well. It really feels like fond gushing of the impactful effect of music: "That good remedy / Music has magic / That stuff of syncopation." Music is definitely good to us. Out of all the songs on 90125, "Our Song" was performed live the least, at only 36 shows.

8. "City of Love"

The bass sounds very enigmatic at the beginning of "City of Love." Rabin repeats the song title in a mysterious manner. The song is very much about lust and nightlife, and the music manages to convey that. In the live setting, Anderson gives the words a more aggressive bite. On any given version, the music is aggressive as well. The seductive sound of this song, paired with mentions of the city, make me think of "Heart of the Sunrise" from Fragile.

"Hearts" at Rock in Rio 1985.

9. "Hearts"

Also like Fragile, 90125 ends with track nine, which has a variation of the word "heart" in the title. Comparatively, "Hearts" is more innocent-sounding. This is exemplified by the verses "One people - together" and "So see the children's way." The innocence of a child's perception seems to be a common theme in works involving Anderson. On the 2001 Yes album Magnification, "We Agree" contains the verses, "If we are one / Seen through the eyes of child." The song "Incoming" from Anderson's 2011 solo album Survival & Other Stories "They call it seeing the children for the very first time."

"Sailing down the river" may remind one of a Yes classic like "To Be Over," which begins with, "We go sailing down the calming streams." We are told that two hearts are better than one, which feels like the album coming full circle, seeing as how the first track was "Owner of a Lonely Heart." The music does get aggressive nearly five minutes in. This section was previously part of a song that Rabin demoed, either on his own or with Cinema. The song has been titled "Fools" on bootlegs. After this section, there is a return to the more sentimental feel. One cannot help but admire the sincerity of the guitar conveying feelings of romance. The song gets quiet at the end, closing with a very classic Yes ending:

As we flow down life's rivers

I see the star glow - One by one

All angels of the magic constellation

Be singing us now

Conclusion

As different as it was from the Yes that people knew beforehand, 90125 would become the only Yes album to be certified triple platinum in the US. The album's release was followed by commercial success and lots of touring (with Casey Young contributing additional keys from under stages). Though the album was poppy, Yes did not abandon their older material. They still played selections from the 1970s, reminding audiences that this was still Yes, playing the old and the new. Despite how different 90125 was, it earned its place in the Yes canon, probably helped by the fact that the band would return to prog-focused albums later on in their career. But in the meantime, this lineup, known by some as "Yes West," would continue putting out material that would leave good impressions on fans old and new.

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About the Creator

Steven Shinder

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.

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