Yes Magnification CD

New W/Full Symphony-Steve Howe J.Anderson,C.Squire,A.White

Yes: Jon Anderson (vocals, acoustic & synthesized guitars); Steve Howe (acoustic, electric & steel guitars, mandolin); Alan White (piano, drums, percussion, background vocals); Chris Squire (bass, background vocals).
Engineers include: Tim Weidner, Nick Sevilla, John Elder.
Recorded at Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, California.
Personnel: Steve Howe (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin); Jon Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, midi guitar); Alan White (vocals, piano, drums, percussion); Chris Squire (vocals, bass guitar).
Audio Mixers: Steve MacMillan; Tim Weidner.
Recording information: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, CA.
Arranger: Larry Groupé.
Many call Yes' brand of progressive rock "symphonic rock." The term means that the group produces arrangements in the vein of a symphony using typical rock instrumentation. With Magnification, Yes has taken that a step further, adding a symphony orchestra. The orchestra is not simply thrown over the top, though; the songs were written for this particular grouping. Yes has flirted with this type of thing before. Released in 1970, the Time and a Word album featured a string section, but the complete integration is what makes Magnification a superior work. The material on the CD is pretty standard modern Yes fare, but the addition of that symphony really does create a whole new texture. It also seems as if it inspired the band, and some members put in performances that are head and shoulders above their recent work. The album does have its weak moments and gets just a little over the top at times, but there are a lot more moments that shine than dull ones. ~ Gary Hill
Yes brings its sweeping brand of art rock to new heights with MAGNIFICATION, the band's first orchestral album since 1970's TIME AND A WORD. The tried and true quartet of Anderson, Squire, Howe, and White have done justice to this album's title; their latest sonic landscape is both magnified and enhanced by composer/arranger Larry Groupe. Groupe's role so symbiotic and integral it's as if he's a longtime band member in Yes and his instrument is the orchestra he conducts.
What sets MAGNIFICATION apart from your typical rock-band-with-orchestra project is the arrangements. Rather than adding clutter or tacky overstatement, the orchestral parts take on a voice that at times acts as subtle foundation, and finds the perfect moments to act as a lead "instrument." The title track strolls with majesty, following with the crushing emotional crescendos of "Spirit of Survival." The trademark Yes chorus is splendidly present on "Don't Go," which breaks into a quirky, theatric mid-section. A dramatic score opens "Give Love Each Day" as the band shows a beauty and restraint lacking in many of their progressive rock contemporaries. The epic suite "In The Presence Of" shows just how influential Yes has been in setting the standards that define their genre.

Mojo (Publisher) (11/01, p.106) - "...10 tracks decorated with swooping violins and stabs of brass....The title track soars nobly enough and recalls the glory days..."