Big Generator - Yes > Reviews > Good album - shame about the sales

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Average
Value for Money

Advantages:	Some really stron material brilliantly performed
Disadvantages:	A little too polished in places

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Big Generator was the studio follow up to the hugely successful 90125 album. Sadly, it did not spawn any major hits and the quality of writing was not comparable to that of its predecessor, but there are some truly memorable pieces present.
Rhythm Of Love for example combines fantastic vocal harmonies with the powerhouse sound that was recurrent on 90125 and complex musical arrangements that obviously are one of Yes's trademarks. Almost Like Love on the other hand is laden with foot thumping beats and a guitar riff that is more akin to a Heavy Metal band than what had become by 1987, one of the premier AOR groups. Echoes of the band's seventies glories are present in the lengthy Final Eyes and I'm Running, and Holy Lamb is a classic Anderson solo vehicle -very concise and emotive.
The album does not represent the group at their peak, but compared to other groups of the genre, Big Generator really holds its own.