The Official Yes Thread

[Orbert]

When I watched Doug's video for Close to the Edge, I found myself thinking that it would be interesting to see Jon Anderson react to this guy's video.

If you ever find such a video, be sure to record your reaction to it, and post it on YouTube.  Then we can watch the video of you reacting to the video of Jon Anderson reacting to the video of Doug Helvering reacting to the video of Close to the Edge.

That would be cool.

[Lupton]

When I watched Doug's video for Close to the Edge, I found myself thinking that it would be interesting to see Jon Anderson react to this guy's video.

If you ever find such a video, be sure to record your reaction to it, and post it on YouTube.  Then we can watch the video of you reacting to the video of Jon Anderson reacting to the video of Doug Helvering reacting to the video of Close to the Edge.

That would be cool.

Vocal coach reacts to Hip Hop guy reacting to video of you reacting to the video of Jon Anderson reacting to the video of Doug Helvering reacting to the video of Close to the Edge.

[Fritzinger]

When I watched Doug's video for Close to the Edge, I found myself thinking that it would be interesting to see Jon Anderson react to this guy's video.

If you ever find such a video, be sure to record your reaction to it, and post it on YouTube.  Then we can watch the video of you reacting to the video of Jon Anderson reacting to the video of Doug Helvering reacting to the video of Close to the Edge.

That would be cool.

Vocal coach reacts to Hip Hop guy reacting to video of you reacting to the video of Jon Anderson reacting to the video of Doug Helvering reacting to the video of Close to the Edge.

I would buy that on vinyl.

[ytserush]

It's just me, and I don't begrudge anyone watching what interests them, but reaction videos do nothing for me.  Music is an experience, and a sensory experience at that.  I want to react to the music, not watch someone react.  It's like watching someone watch porn.   No thanks. 

Totally agree.

It's like someone is getting in the way of my listening experience.  Why would I want that distraction?

[jammindude]

Haven’t you guys ever shown someone Tom Sawyer for the very first time and then thrilled at the joy they get?

It’s like we’ve all heard that song over 1000 times. But when we see someone else hearing it for the first time, there’s that moment when we relive the moment we heard it for the first time.

It’s like that. You don’t necessarily have to find the same thrill that other people do, but I feel like it’s important that you understand that this is the emotion that people feel from reaction videos.

[Stadler]

Haven’t you guys ever shown someone Tom Sawyer for the very first time and then thrilled at the joy they get?

It’s like we’ve all heard that song over 1000 times. But when we see someone else hearing it for the first time, there’s that moment when we relive the moment we heard it for the first time.

It’s like that. You don’t necessarily have to find the same thrill that other people do, but I feel like it’s important that you understand that this is the emotion that people feel from reaction videos.

Well, let me be clear; I do not in any way begrudge OTHERS these videos.  I would never ever say to not do them or take them down.  I can intellectually undersrand why someone might like the idea of a reaction video (though the concerns about the validity are, well, valid).   I actually DID show my kid "Tom Sawyer" (I think it was the Snakes and Arrows live DVD) and she DID react; she was blown away that a human could play their instrument with that intensity, precision and power.  But I also knew she had never heard/seen that before, and I knew with what she was comparing that.   It was a little more immediate with someone I know as opposed to a stranger who may, in fact, be in it for less than pure reasons.

[Orbert]

That's really it for me, too.  Sure, I've shared music and videos with family and friends, and wondered how they would react.  I hope they'll like it, or laugh at it, or whatever it is I'm hoping for, based on who they are and what I expect.  But watching complete strangers react to things as a form of entertainment just baffles me.  Why do I care what these people think?  I don't know them, I don't care about them, and for all I know, their "reactions" are completely scripted and crafted for entertainment value.  I truly hope I never get bored enough with my life to resort to watching people I don't know reacting to things.

[hefdaddy42]

You guys sound really old lol

I like watching reaction videos sometimes, if it's a reaction to something I already love.  I am certainly not bored with my life.

[Mladen]

I really like reaction videos. It's awesome to see someone getting worked up over a section that I also love. It's like "wait until he hears that part". 

[Setlist Scotty]

I really like reaction videos. It's awesome to see someone getting worked up over a section that I also love. It's like "wait until he hears that part". 

I don't care for all these reaction videos, but I think the ones from Doug are particularly interesting given his background and the insights that he provides, having a wealth of musical knowledge.

[Fritzinger]

That's really it for me, too.  Sure, I've shared music and videos with family and friends, and wondered how they would react.  I hope they'll like it, or laugh at it, or whatever it is I'm hoping for, based on who they are and what I expect.  But watching complete strangers react to things as a form of entertainment just baffles me.  Why do I care what these people think?  I don't know them, I don't care about them, and for all I know, their "reactions" are completely scripted and crafted for entertainment value.  I truly hope I never get bored enough with my life to resort to watching people I don't know reacting to things.

Well then why are you here, in a forum, discussing things with people you don't know? 

In my opinion, it's a completely different thing to care/talk about what people's opinion is vs. why it's their opinion. Of course I don't know any of you guys and I shouldn't care what you think, but I do, because we all share some common interests and I want my horizon being broadened by other points of views and opinions. For example, I am in a Progrock fan group on Facebook and many people just state under a post or link: "this is bullshit" or "I don't like this". I keep telling them that I don't know them, so what do I care if some guys from the other end of Germany doesn't like some song? I wanna know why they have that opinion, so I can project those arguments onto my opinion. That's precisely why I love to write in this forum because you guys almost always discuss and don't just state opinions. And that's also why I like to watch Doug's reactions, because he listens with a critical and compositionally trained ear and makes me (who also likes to pay attention to theoretical aspects of music) appreciate things I might not have noticed before.

[Stadler]

That's really it for me, too.  Sure, I've shared music and videos with family and friends, and wondered how they would react.  I hope they'll like it, or laugh at it, or whatever it is I'm hoping for, based on who they are and what I expect.  But watching complete strangers react to things as a form of entertainment just baffles me.  Why do I care what these people think?  I don't know them, I don't care about them, and for all I know, their "reactions" are completely scripted and crafted for entertainment value.  I truly hope I never get bored enough with my life to resort to watching people I don't know reacting to things.

Well then why are you here, in a forum, discussing things with people you don't know? 

In my opinion, it's a completely different thing to care/talk about what people's opinion is vs. why it's their opinion. Of course I don't know any of you guys and I shouldn't care what you think, but I do, because we all share some common interests and I want my horizon being broadened by other points of views and opinions. For example, I am in a Progrock fan group on Facebook and many people just state under a post or link: "this is bullshit" or "I don't like this". I keep telling them that I don't know them, so what do I care if some guys from the other end of Germany doesn't like some song? I wanna know why they have that opinion, so I can project those arguments onto my opinion. That's precisely why I love to write in this forum because you guys almost always discuss and don't just state opinions. And that's also why I like to watch Doug's reactions, because he listens with a critical and compositionally trained ear and makes me (who also likes to pay attention to theoretical aspects of music) appreciate things I might not have noticed before.

To be fair to Orbert, I'm in his category too, and I see a difference.   I may not have had you over for Thanksgiving dinner, but many of the people here I consider friends - not "online friends", but friends, period.  I have probably 10 or a dozen of you all's phone numbers in my phone.  So when TAC or Marc or Joe or Bart says "I listened to the new [whatever] and it was great/ass", it's not out of the blue.  The reaction videos I've seen don't have a lot of context, are one-way, and seem to be more about sensationalism than maybe I'm looking for. 

And with my kid, it's not JUST about "the reaction"; it's about something we can now share, a touchstone.  It's improving our vocabulary to relate.  It's about passing things on to another generation.   I don't care if my kid LIKES Rush, but I DO want her to hear HER favorite artists play a drum solo and know that they might have gotten something from that nerdy-looking Canadian guy with the funny hat.   Sorry to go deep here, but I'm not getting that from an 8-minute video of people yapping and saying "Dude, that rocks!" over a song I've heard 50 times (I'm being facetious to make a point; I know they sometimes of more substance than that).

[ytserush]

That's really it for me, too.  Sure, I've shared music and videos with family and friends, and wondered how they would react.  I hope they'll like it, or laugh at it, or whatever it is I'm hoping for, based on who they are and what I expect.  But watching complete strangers react to things as a form of entertainment just baffles me.  Why do I care what these people think?  I don't know them, I don't care about them, and for all I know, their "reactions" are completely scripted and crafted for entertainment value.  I truly hope I never get bored enough with my life to resort to watching people I don't know reacting to things.

Kind of where I am on this. No problem with anyone else doing it. I don't need to been involved.

[ytserush]

That's really it for me, too.  Sure, I've shared music and videos with family and friends, and wondered how they would react.  I hope they'll like it, or laugh at it, or whatever it is I'm hoping for, based on who they are and what I expect.  But watching complete strangers react to things as a form of entertainment just baffles me.  Why do I care what these people think?  I don't know them, I don't care about them, and for all I know, their "reactions" are completely scripted and crafted for entertainment value.  I truly hope I never get bored enough with my life to resort to watching people I don't know reacting to things.

Well then why are you here, in a forum, discussing things with people you don't know? 

In my opinion, it's a completely different thing to care/talk about what people's opinion is vs. why it's their opinion. Of course I don't know any of you guys and I shouldn't care what you think, but I do, because we all share some common interests and I want my horizon being broadened by other points of views and opinions. For example, I am in a Progrock fan group on Facebook and many people just state under a post or link: "this is bullshit" or "I don't like this". I keep telling them that I don't know them, so what do I care if some guys from the other end of Germany doesn't like some song? I wanna know why they have that opinion, so I can project those arguments onto my opinion. That's precisely why I love to write in this forum because you guys almost always discuss and don't just state opinions. And that's also why I like to watch Doug's reactions, because he listens with a critical and compositionally trained ear and makes me (who also likes to pay attention to theoretical aspects of music) appreciate things I might not have noticed before.

Well it's different if you have some level of knowledge and aren't looking for clicks. Almost everyone on this forum doesn't do that.

[Dedalus]

Well then why are you here, in a forum, discussing things with people you don't know? 

I thought just that.

From my perspective you are as strangers as any reaction guy. All of you.

Most of you can't even speak my language. We are completely different culturally. And so on ...

So the " Why do I care what these people think?  I don't know them, I don't care about them" can apply to everyone in the DTF, if I want to.

Therefore I can understand why people are interested in the opinion of strangers. If I didn't understand that, it wouldn't make sense for me to be here.

[Orbert]

Those of us who've been here for a while get to know each other, even if we've never met face to face.  (And many of us have met face to face.)  We get a feel for each other's tastes in music and other things, and the opinions of DTF members are not the opinions of strangers.  I'm honestly curious, given that I know someone likes this band but not this other band, or whether they like jazz but not bluegrass, what they'll think of a particular band.  It's another data point at the very least, and I find it interesting how bands and artists I know are perceived by others, given what I know about their tastes.

I don't know jack about these anonymous guys on the 'net.  "Classical composer reacts to 2112".  Okay, obviously some classical composer, but other than that, I know nothing about them.  In fact, since most classical composers have been dead for hundreds of years, I'm pretty sure they're a neo-classical composer, but either way, if that's all I know about them, they're still a stranger.  It might as well be "dude who painted my neighbor's house last week reacts to 2112".  If I know nothing about them, their reaction doesn't have any meaning to me.  It's the context that's important.

[Dedalus]

OK, some of you know others well. Nice.
It's not my case. So what the hell am I doing here? 

The initial curiosity is very similar: knowing what other people (whom I don't know) think about things that interest me.

Of course: different platforms, different forms of interaction, different possibilities.

I just think that "I don't know these people, so I have no interest in what they think" is quite radical. If I fully agreed with that idea, why the hell would I have done an account here?

[Orbert]

OK, some of you know others well. Nice.
It's not my case. So what the hell am I doing here? 

Serious answer to a possibly not-serious question: To discuss music (and maybe some other stuff) with other people.  That's why I joined the original DTF boards many years ago, anyway.  I was obsessed with this new band I'd learned about named Dream Theater and wanted to discuss their music with other people.  I've always assumed that that was the case with most people who join a discussion forum dedicated to a band.  Over the years, the focus has changed, but also during that time, people have gotten to know each other.  That's all I'm saying.  If you spend enough time hanging around the same people, including virtually, you eventually get to know each other.  And some of us have been here a long time.  So their opinions matter to me.

The initial curiosity is very similar: knowing what other people (whom I don't know) think about things that interest me.

Of course: different platforms, different forms of interaction, different possibilities.

I just think that "I don't know these people, so I have no interest in what they think" is quite radical. If I fully agreed with that idea, why the hell would I have done an account here?

That's fair.  I do wonder what other people think about things that I feel strongly about.  And again, that's why I joined up here: to discuss the music.  To me, discussion is two-way; people share their thoughts and opinions, but also consider others' thoughts and opinions, and hopefully everybody ends up a bit more enlightened.  I guess my curiosity just doesn't extend to the point where I wonder what random people on the street think of things, certainly not to the point where I would seek out their reactions.  As was pointed out, it's only one-way at that point.  If I watch a reaction video, I see their reaction (duh) but they obviously have no idea that I'm even watching the video, so it's not like it's going to lead to a discussion.

I can see how others get something out of it, perhaps even find it entertaining, not just informative.  It's just not for me.

[Stadler]

OK, some of you know others well. Nice.
It's not my case. So what the hell am I doing here? 

Serious answer to a possibly not-serious question: To discuss music (and maybe some other stuff) with other people.  That's why I joined the original DTF boards many years ago, anyway.  I was obsessed with this new band I'd learned about named Dream Theater and wanted to discuss their music with other people.  I've always assumed that that was the case with most people who join a discussion forum dedicated to a band.  Over the years, the focus has changed, but also during that time, people have gotten to know each other.  That's all I'm saying.  If you spend enough time hanging around the same people, including virtually, you eventually get to know each other.  And some of us have been here a long time.  So their opinions matter to me.

The initial curiosity is very similar: knowing what other people (whom I don't know) think about things that interest me.

Of course: different platforms, different forms of interaction, different possibilities.

I just think that "I don't know these people, so I have no interest in what they think" is quite radical. If I fully agreed with that idea, why the hell would I have done an account here?

That's fair.  I do wonder what other people think about things that I feel strongly about.  And again, that's why I joined up here: to discuss the music.  To me, discussion is two-way; people share their thoughts and opinions, but also consider others' thoughts and opinions, and hopefully everybody ends up a bit more enlightened.  I guess my curiosity just doesn't extend to the point where I wonder what random people on the street think of things, certainly not to the point where I would seek out their reactions.  As was pointed out, it's only one-way at that point.  If I watch a reaction video, I see their reaction (duh) but they obviously have no idea that I'm even watching the video, so it's not like it's going to lead to a discussion.

I can see how others get something out of it, perhaps even find it entertaining, not just informative.  It's just not for me.

I'm probably repeating myself, but it's CONVERSATION here.  We can go back and forth: "what about this?", "what about that?" "How does x compare with y?"   It's not a "reaction" in the same sense of the word, IMO.  Those same people in the reaction videos, which I won't watch, if I was sitting next to them in a bar shooting the shit, I would probably be more interested in what they had to say, because I can fill in the blanks if need be and ask them questions.   

I know for me, the context is important.  I believe Taylor Swift is a premier artist.  I think Miley Cyrus is a GREAT (not good, GREAT) singer, and while I don't go for a lot of her music, or her non-musical nonsense, she CAN sing.  So if I'm discussing and someone says "I hate all pop music, and every one of those female pixie pop stars is a manufactured mannequin", I'm not valuing their opinion very highly.    This is all stuff that comes out in a dialogue, not a one-way video.

[Dedalus]

Of course the dynamics here are totally different from watching a react or something like that. And I'm not even a fan of react videos.

I just disagree with the idea that I don't care at all about the opinions of a total stranger.

How many times have I finished reading a book and searched for someone's text or video giving their impressions, opinions and analysis about that book? Lots and lots! Absolutely unknown people. And without the possibility of having a conversation. I was simply interested in what other people (whom I don't know at all) thought about a book I enjoyed reading.

Perhaps I am one of those weird ones who are interested in the opinion of strangers. 

[Stadler]

Of course the dynamics here are totally different from watching a react or something like that. And I'm not even a fan of react videos.

I just disagree with the idea that I don't care at all about the opinions of a total stranger.

How many times have I finished reading a book and searched for someone's text or video giving their impressions, opinions and analysis about that book? Lots and lots! Absolutely unknown people. And without the possibility of having a conversation. I was simply interested in what other people (whom I don't know at all) thought about a book I enjoyed reading.

Perhaps I am one of those weird ones who are interested in the opinion of strangers. 

I think we're talking apples and oranges.   It's not that cut and dry for me to say "yes or no" to the opinions of strangers.  I LOVE to talk to strangers.  I do that all the time, and part of that is learning what they feel and think, what their opinion is.  But it's a two-way street.  I'm not interested in the one-sided thing.   And media is a part of it:  I like interacting with people.  Seeing their body language, their tone, the way a conversation progresses.  Do they compromise or are they rigid in their beliefs?  How knowledgeable are they?   I generally stay away from video for that reason; there's nothing to learn from, I'm just getting their one-sided view.

[HOF]

I’m generally interested in the opinions of others, even strangers. The immediate reaction to something they may or may not be listening to the first time, which is given for clicks on a YouTube channel? That’s completely different.

I get why these are popular, and I won’t say I’ve never enjoyed them. But typically I skip past the whole listening part and go to the end to hear their thoughts.

[Dedalus]

Well, the original sentence that motivated me to write everything I wrote was: Why do I care what these people think? I don't know them, I don't care about them.

I just said that I don't agree with that and gave several examples. I'm here talking to strangers. I watch videos and read texts from strangers (although react videos are not my favorite).

So no, I don't agree at all.

[ytserush]

OK, some of you know others well. Nice.
It's not my case. So what the hell am I doing here? 

Serious answer to a possibly not-serious question: To discuss music (and maybe some other stuff) with other people.  That's why I joined the original DTF boards many years ago, anyway.  I was obsessed with this new band I'd learned about named Dream Theater and wanted to discuss their music with other people.  I've always assumed that that was the case with most people who join a discussion forum dedicated to a band.  Over the years, the focus has changed, but also during that time, people have gotten to know each other.  That's all I'm saying.  If you spend enough time hanging around the same people, including virtually, you eventually get to know each other.  And some of us have been here a long time.  So their opinions matter to me.

The initial curiosity is very similar: knowing what other people (whom I don't know) think about things that interest me.

Of course: different platforms, different forms of interaction, different possibilities.

I just think that "I don't know these people, so I have no interest in what they think" is quite radical. If I fully agreed with that idea, why the hell would I have done an account here?

That's fair.  I do wonder what other people think about things that I feel strongly about.  And again, that's why I joined up here: to discuss the music.  To me, discussion is two-way; people share their thoughts and opinions, but also consider others' thoughts and opinions, and hopefully everybody ends up a bit more enlightened.  I guess my curiosity just doesn't extend to the point where I wonder what random people on the street think of things, certainly not to the point where I would seek out their reactions.  As was pointed out, it's only one-way at that point.  If I watch a reaction video, I see their reaction (duh) but they obviously have no idea that I'm even watching the video, so it's not like it's going to lead to a discussion.

I can see how others get something out of it, perhaps even find it entertaining, not just informative.  It's just not for me.

I'm probably repeating myself, but it's CONVERSATION here.  We can go back and forth: "what about this?", "what about that?" "How does x compare with y?"   It's not a "reaction" in the same sense of the word, IMO.  Those same people in the reaction videos, which I won't watch, if I was sitting next to them in a bar shooting the shit, I would probably be more interested in what they had to say, because I can fill in the blanks if need be and ask them questions.   

It's somewhat interactive.

[devieira73]

https://www.facebook.com/289541335438/posts/10159686046160439/?d=n
YES (official) , who are Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison and Billy Sherwood, release their new studio album The Quest on InsideOutMusic/Sony Music on 1st October 2021.
"It is simply an honour for me to have the opportunity to bring together the band members in the development of a well-refined set of songs that capture the band’s true potential,” said Steve Howe, who produced the album. He added "Much of the music was written in late 2019 with the rest in 2020. We commissioned several orchestrations to augment and enhance the overall sound of these fresh new recordings, hoping that our emphasis on melody, coupled with some expansive instrumental solo breaks, keeps up the momentum for our listeners.”   Additional percussion was provided by guest Jay Schellen who supplements YES’ live performances.

Label Manager Thomas Waber said “I am delighted to welcome YES to the label and am looking forward to seeing the reaction of the band's fans to the new album. Being a long-time fan myself, I am really excited by the new material. Steve Howe managed to capture many of the important elements that we all love about YES!”

Containing 11 songs, 8 on the main CD with 3 extra tracks on a bonus CD, The Quest will be available on Vinyl and 5.1 Blu-ray and CD, all on the day of release.

The Quest - 2CD Digipak tracklisting:
CD1:
01. The Ice Bridge 7.01
02. Dare To Know 6.00
03. Minus The Man 5.35
04. Leave Well Alone 8.06
05. The Western Edge 4.26
06. Future Memories 5.08
07. Music To My Ears 4.41
08. A Living Island 6.52

CD2:
01. Sister Sleeping Soul 4.51
02. Mystery Tour 3.33
03. Damaged World 5.20

Formats are:
Limited Edition Deluxe 2LP & 2CD plus Blu-ray Box-set
Limited Edition 2CD & Blu-ray Artbook
Gatefold 2LP & 2CD plus LP-booklet
2CD Digipak
Digital Album

Cover artwork designed and created by the band’s long term collaborator Roger Dean.

Pre-order begins 23rd July

[Orbert]

Marketing.  The total of all 11 tracks is only 62 minutes, but three tracks are on a "bonus" disc, so you're getting more!  More discs, that is, when a single disc would've worked.

Oh well, it's a new album on a new label, with a new lineup, the first post-Squire.  I'm cautiously optimistic.  Heaven and Earth was nice, the first couple of times through.  Now I never listen to it because it's so dull.  We'll see if they've got anything left that could surprise me.

[jammindude]

Full title: The Quest for a Decent Yes Album

[devieira73]

Let's hope to be much much much better than Heaven and Earth that it's 100% boring to me. I would be extremely happy with something at The Ladder level (which I like a lot!).

[Orbert]

Full title: The Quest for a Decent Yes Album

[emtee]

Fly From Here is always a nice experience. Heaven And Earth is their worst album in my opinion.

I'll listen with an open mind.

[The Letter M]

61:33 of new Yes Music? Well, it can't possibly be worse than Heaven & Earth, right?

Also, I wonder how much percussion Jay Schellen performed on the album compared to Alan?

As much as I like Yes, I may just get the 2CD Digipak, unless thr artbook is reasonably priced, though I may never listen to the BD if all it has is just the 5.1 mix.

-Marc.

[Orbert]

Supposedly, Alan White played all drums and percussion on the album.  It's only when they're playing live that he needs... assistance.

[Orbert]

Well crap, I sit here corrected.  Up until now, the word was that Alan would be playing everything on the album, but apparently with this announcement comes the "news" that Jay does play on the album.  So of course now the speculation is how much.  I find it just a bit cheesy that the announcement includes Yes "who are" (list of names of people not Jay Schellen.)

[Stadler]

Fly From Here is always a nice experience. Heaven And Earth is their worst album in my opinion.

I'll listen with an open mind.

I agree with every word in that post.  H&E is even worse than Open Your Eyes.

I really like Sherwood, though, and he's coming off Arc Of Life which is EXCELLENT, IMO.

[KevShmev]

No way will I buy this without trying first, considering the last album I really liked by Yes was nearly 25 years ago.