I can't believe you guys are so nutty about this new album. Perhaps the euphoria of having the first Yes studio album in 10 years has something to do with it? Just speculating; not meaning to put down anyone's opinion of it...
Anyway, after several listens, I don't think it is a bad album, but it just kind of there. There are some cool things going on musically - how could there not be with those guys playing? - but...and here it comes...I am not wild about Benoit David's voice. Yes, I miss Jon Anderson's voice (hearing a Yes album at this stage without him singing would be like hearing a new Rush album without Geddy Lee singing), but not only is David's voice pretty average, it seems like they had to do some major studio trickery with his voice. I usually don't notice auto-tune or other stuff like that, but on one of the first vocal lines of the album (the second line, I think), when he is attempting a high note, it is extremely obvious and just sounds bad. Overall, like I said, I don't think it is a bad album by any means, but, again, it is just kind of there. I don't listen to Yes nearly as much as I used to, so when you combine the fact that I will go for the tried and true great Yes stuff when I actually do listen to them along with there being tons of new music this year that is much better, I don't see myself getting a lot of mileage out of this record.