'Invention of Knowledge' by Anderson/Stolt (Review)

Invention of Knowledge is an album by Anderson/Stolt, a collaboration between former Yes vocalist Jon Anderson and The Flower Kings composer / guitarist / keyboardist / vocalist Roine Stolt. The music definitely feels like a Flower Kings album if it had Anderson sing along to it throughout. Originally released June 24, 2016 via Inside Out Music, it is an album I still admire ten years after its release. It is the album that I needed during junior year of college, which was in some ways the worst year of my college career. I got to the album the year after it came out, and my impression then which I still feel is that it is a prog rock masterpiece overflowing with positivity.

While Anderson's more recent work with The Band Geeks and their 2024 album True has certainly impressed since then, I felt at the time years before that this was the best band/collaboration album that Jon had worked on since Yes' Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973), as well as the best album he had done outside of Yes since his first solo album Olias of Sunhillow (1976). Those were concept albums, and Invention of Knowledge feels like one, too. It consists of nine tracks, which are grouped together into four sections, with songs weaving into each other pretty well. As such, it might also feel like one 65-minute song.

The following people below are credited on the album. With certain albums in the Yes or Yes-related sphere, there has sometimes been this sentiment that a plethora of musicians can sometimes make an album feel too busy. I have seen some describe this album as having too much going on, but I have no issue here as it all feels like it serves a clear vision.

Personnel

Anderson/Stolt

Jon Anderson – lead and backing vocals, synthesiser, percussion

Roine Stolt – electric guitar, acoustic guitars, Dobro, Portuguese guitar, lap steel guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals

Additional musicians

Tom Brislin – Yamaha C7 grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizers

Lalle Larsson – grand piano, synthesizer

Jonas Reingold – bass guitar, backing vocals

Michael Stolt – bass guitar, Moog bass

Felix Lehrmann – drums

Daniel Gildenlöw – backing vocals

Nad Sylvan – backing vocals

Anja Obermayer – backing vocals

Maria Rerych – backing vocals

Kristina Westas – backing vocals

Production

Roine Stolt – production, mixing at Cosmic Lodge, February–March 2016

Jon Anderson – co-production

Lars Hallbäck – backing vocals recording

Jonas Reingold – mastering

Silas Toball – artwork

Eva Toball – artwork assistant

Johnny Taxen – photographs

Per Kristianssen – photographs

Lilian Westin – photographs

Anders Olsson – photographs

Hans Froberg – photographs

Erik Edlund – photographs

"Invention of Knowledge"

1. "Invention"

The first section, the nearly 23-minute "Invention of Knowledge," begins with "Invention," which automatically takes me to the beach since there are ocean wave sound effects as Anderson chants, "Sea light...soul light." All the instrumentation and vocals swirl around in what feels like such a bright, glowing world. It feels very inclusive, saying, "Everyone has a story of greater revelation."

2. "We Are Truth"

The next track, "We Are Truth," has a trippy opening sounds like a sitar or is at least sitar-esque. I love how the lyrics convey the virtue of fortitude: "We will not surrender to the dark / That challenges our hearts / To change our hearts / To change our way of life To change our way of faith." The following repeating verse is also very empowering: "We are truth made in heaven we are glorious." At the end of this track, there is a reprise of the "See light...soul light" mantra before going into the next track.

3. "Knowledge"

This leads to "Knowledge," which contains such unifying words as, "Force of all that shines between us / Force all that comes together / Shall we be the song of everlasting life?" There's a reprise of the line "No one would ever bless the moonlight for / Being too late too late" from the first track, and during a strong finale, there is the "See light...soul light" mantra again. The keys toward the end sound a bit like Yes’ “Awaken.”

"Knowing"

4. "Knowing"

The next section, "Knowing" (almost 18 minutes altogether), begins with a track of the same name. It starts off calmly and mysteriously, bringing a shore of seashells to mind and beginning with the lyrics, "As in vision standing out the line / Now in pictures set to speak of time / All in the level this wanting to learning the sign / Take it away some justice of design / The Ley-Line singers." And the music builds up to a stampede of music, pointing south, north, east, and west. There is a quiet section near the end that actually reminds me of a quiet section from Yes' "The Remembering" off of Tales from Topographic Oceans.

5. "Chase and Harmony"

This is then followed by the track "Chase and Harmony," which contains the relatable sentiment, "Let it last forever." Listeners are informed that "Truth brings us to the infinite," and then the music provides a transcendent feeling.

"Everybody Heals"

6. "Everybody Heals"

The third section, the 13-minute "Everybody Heals," begins with a track of the same name that sounds very symphonic. It stresses that we all endure painful moments in our life: "Everybody moves, everybody breaks." And yet we can all heal together, knowing from that point on which way to go. I am intrigued by the lyrics, "Only those that try to disappear / Just cannot change." Indeed, one has to want to try to heal in order for it to happen.

7. "Better by Far

The next song is called "Better by Far," a phrase which has been part of Jon's lyrical vocabulary in songs like Yes' "Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day" and Jon’s solo song "Incoming” from Survival & Other Stories. It feels like more of a transition track, but I like its emphasis on patience: "Some will carry on until they get a better picture."

8. "Golden Light"

Then comes "Golden Light." I love the lyrics, "Faith to the real life jewel of love / Faith to the real salvation life." They feel so affirming and reassuring. As the song closes, the music reminds me of nighttime, a wonderful day coming to a close as the golden light leaves a last shred on the earth.

"Know..."

9. "Know..."

The final section and track is "Know..." which might be my favorite track on the album because of how well it sums the whole album up. At 11 minutes, it is the shortest section, but the longest individual track. The first half(ish) of it is pretty calm and soothing. When the pace changes, there is a swelling of music that gives me the same cathartic feeling that I have when I hear bits of Yes’ “The Revealing Science of God” (also from Tales), particularly after the "Into the rhythm..." section and the beginning of the last "What happened?" section. Then the rest of "Know..." is essentially a reprise of lyrics from “Knowing," with the music ending with a bang and then some gentle keys. If you ever dance along to this whole album, this is quite an ending that can make you feel complete.

Conclusion

While Invention of Knowledge and its scope may feel intimidating to some, I find it to be a very pleasant and re-energizing experience if one is ever in the mood to get immersed in such a feeling. Over the years, there has been talk here and there of a second album. And while there have been updates of progress little by little, the lack of very recent news and the long passage of time since the original album may cast some doubt about whether it may see the light of day. I do sincerely hope that we get to hear it someday. But even if we do not, I am still thankful that we live in a reality in which we at least got to hear Invention of Knowledge.