Yes - Mirror To The Sky - New Album Review & Unboxing

This is a review and unboxing for the brand new Yes album Mirror To The Sky. It’s the band’s 23rd studio album and 2nd one in less than 2 years.
Related video:
Yes - The Quest - Album Review
• Yes - The Quest - New ...
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[@DarthPizza777]

I'm just now getting into Yes and its because of you. Thank you.

[@BrendonSnyder]

That’s great to hear! Have you tried my favorite albums Close To The Edge (1972), Drama (1980) and 90125 (1983)? Those are 3 distinct periods of the band with all really good and unique sounding albums.

[@MrMick50]

Go see Jon Anderson and the band geeks playing classic 70s Yes including The Gates Of Delirium Amazing stuff so true to original band hope they come to Vancouver

[@joshcreasey]

I’m really enjoying this new album. The title track is a stellar epic! It’s great that they’re excited about making new music. I hear they’re even looking forward to the next album, which is awesome! Steve Howe’s production on this and The Quest really gave the music a remarkable sonic lift.

[@BrendonSnyder]

I’m really appreciative of their resurgence in recording and hope they are looking forward already to their next album. When bands hit creative strides it’s really great for the fans. Since they had such a large gap in recordings for a time I’m glad to see they are making up for it now.

[@joshcreasey]

@@BrendonSnyder I couldn’t agree more!

[@michaellord9745]

This is an excellent Yes release. Don't give up on it. I was underwhelmed by The Quest at first but came around to thinking it is quality album. I think Mirror to the Sky is even better.

[@BrendonSnyder]

No I wouldn’t give up on it. I do like the album. I’m just waiting for it to hit me. But that may not happen and it may be a slow grower which is fine. Regardless it’s a good album for Yes fans.

[@robertwatt4248]

Was looking forward to this review Brendon. So many classic albums in their catalogue. I enjoy all line ups and agree that Drama & Fly From Here are both worthy of being referred to as classics. TBH I have struggled with the two previous releases to this one, in fact I never even bought The Quest but think I need to give this one a chance!

[@BrendonSnyder]

I think this might be the best of the 3 with Davison. But it’s not immediately grabbing me like The Quest did. Heaven & Earth took a year for me to find its charms and now I enjoy it.

[@stanferraro4130]

This one definitely gets better with each listen. I did enjoy The Quest, a very "soothing/friendly" album, but this one has a lot more complexity and interesting arrangements/writing, which is a trademark of Prog. and it is great to hear something new from a band that has been around for so long. I agree that there is not much in the way of keyboard parts/solos, it seems a little guitar-dominant. Thanks for the review and talking about the history of the band. A great album IMO.

[@markhenrynoll5601]

I listened to it while walking on the 13:37 deluxe edition yesterday & listened to it 2 more times. I'm loving it more with each listen. I'm 71 & have been a fan since I was 20. I've enjoyed all the lineups & though I prefer the JA, SH, CS, RW, & AW the most, I love the current lineup too. My favorites will always be RELAYER, CTTE, TFTO, FRAGILE, TYA, & GFTO. I'm just happy my favorite band is still putting out music

[@markhenrynoll5601]

I first listened to MTTS 2 nights ago. I received my deluxe edition YESterday & listened to it again.

[@tjflash60]

Thanks for the review. I agree on Union and Fly from Here. At 63 I understand that I am not the same person as I was 50 years ago and I try to appreciate the music for what it is. I even enjoyed From a Page.

[@BrendonSnyder]

That’s a great way to look at it. The guys in Yes have grown and changed and therefore the music has grown and changed. About the only band that still sounds the same after 50 years is AC/DC. Even bands like Aerosmith and ZZ Top changed through the years. For me I can always go back to the classics but I’m glad to have the new albums too.

[@jettloaf]

I purchased the album and I'm liking it quite a bit. I agree with your point on how some songs may not sound like Yes, more like solo stuff. I'm surprised you didn't review the 2nd disc's 3 songs since you're reviewing the 2-disc album? 7.8/10

[@michaelharrison8920]

I always watch your news 🗞️ every Friday and other reviews whatever it’s an album 💿 or something else.I just listened to the new yes album 💿 whatever it never be the original yes it’s the best album 💿 so far it reminds me of days when I listened to the ladder 🪜 and drama 🎭 so that’s pretty good 👍.Can’t wait to see where there go from here cheers 🥂 see ya 👋

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yes for those of us that have enjoyed later era Yes like with The Ladder, I think it’s an enjoyable album. For those that keep hoping the band will make something resembling 1972’s Close To The Edge, I don’t think it’s going to happen. It’s better to enjoy what Yes has become than desire where they have been.

[@paulayers1111]

I honestly couldn’t be happier with this album. I found it all incredibly enjoyable and more so with each consecutive listen

[@alexjohnston8889]

Love me some yes, my 3 favourite are 3. Topographic 2.The Yes Album 1. Going for the one I do like 90125 also. Will have to give this new one a listen before I consider buying it.

[@christopherhoffman201]

"Cut from the Stars" is awesome live...They have to play more of the songs live to fully appreciate it...Geoff Downes does a little tribute to Keith Emerson during the performance,too.

[@newforestpixie5297]

I was from a background where nobody had gone to college or Uni & because daytime pop radio didn’t play Yes , I was 13 when first hearing them because Wonderous Stories was released as a single in Autumn 1977. Being a spikey haired kid of 13 in 1977 definitely set me & others my age away from their original late 1960s fans of Trenchcoats & Afghan coats ..I always felt like a newcomer to their music by then when most kids were listening to sex pistols stranglers damned generation x & Souxie & I was no different except discovering Yes & associated acts of the 1970s. Lost touch with them at 90125 but on first going online in 2010 couldn’t believe how great they were after the hideous Big Generator…. Thanks for this from Hillbillies Pixies & Wytches in woods 10 miles E of Bournemouth in SW England 😁👍🐢❤️👽🐀

[@Clau-xm4mt]

Me gustaría escucharlo el álbum en vivo, exquisito sonido como siempre yes nos entrega el paraíso....👏👏👏

[@davescryptodays1441]

This is really heading in the right direction - longer songs. more creativity and the prog is reinstated. The more a listen to it the better I like it. Maybe it's time to bring back Oliver Wakeman? Definitely needs more of a keyboard preesence. There's still a predilection for the mid-tempo as well, but it definitely rocks more than the two prior albums. Again this is close to what the fans are looking for - not worrying about pops hits and just being creative with the prog journey; JUST a little more urgency/rock and bring the keys to the fore and you'll have a 5 out of 5 album. This one is still growing on me and I appreciate a new album so soon after the last. 3.5 out of 5 so far.

[@BrendonSnyder]

I agree there needs to be more of a keyboard presence and I quite liked when Oliver was part of the band. But I’d rather they get Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson to return. It’s time.

[@GeoffTrowbridge]

@@BrendonSnyder I'm still bummed that ARW never released a studio album.

[@raminitzan]

Great album ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@BrendonSnyder]

It’s growing on me 👍

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

I like the one track I heard. It seems some people just won't accept the new version of the band though.

[@BrendonSnyder]

Unfortunately it’s always that way. People don’t accept change very well. But morning stays the same forever.

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

@@BrendonSnyder I noticed that some times a band's fans will accept a new lead singer if the original lead singer has died or can't sing well anymore. But other times a band's fans will not accept a new lead singer under any circumstances or for any reason. There's exceptions to all these situations though.

[@marty3888]

Bands this old are going to go through different lineups. Foregner also doesn't have one original member either but they haven't made any new albums either. (That I know of.) So I go on whether I still like the new material. I liked some of the songs on heaven and earth. At times,, Davidon sounds OK. I may do what some people on here have done - listen to some of the songs a few times. If they grow on me enough where I would listen to it every now and then, I'll buy the album. (vinyl edition.)

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

@@marty3888 yes, time does NOT stand still. People die, people leave bands. That's just the way life is.

[@bumpdunlop]

Sounds like Starcastle to me. Great album!

[@BrendonSnyder]

Starcastle sounds like Yes so shouldn’t you say…sounds like Yes? 😂

[@GeoffTrowbridge]

I know that Wikipedia says that this is the 23rd studio album, but the only way to arrive at that number is if you count both "Keys to Ascension" albums as "studio" albums -- but they're not. They're mostly live albums with a few additional studio tracks. Granted, you could count the "Keystudio" release as a "studio" album (even though it's just the studio tracks from the two KtA albums compiled into one album), but that still only gets you to 22, not 23.

[@BrendonSnyder]

The band counts the Keys To Ascension as “albums” so that’s how they get to 23. But I agree it’s iffy at best because only one quarter of each double album had studio material. But I choose not to fight it plus it would just confuse everyone else following along. But I do prefer the Keystudio album with all the studio tracks gathered. That’s an excellent album and how it should have been released from the start. It was the label that requested the split.

[@weneedmerch]

So good!

[@carlwmpylu]

A similar take to mine. I've enjoyed the post-Jon Anderson albums more than most and, while I'm glad to have this one, so far, at least, it's not hit home the way Fly From Here, Heaven & Earth and The Quest did. I agree that the seemingly marginalised Geoffrey Downes would have improved things with a bit more involvement. Early days yet though, It might well grow on us!

[@BrendonSnyder]

Interesting to know others feel the way o do. Fly From Here was outstanding. But I understand it was based on an older song from the Drama era which was bound to make it amazing. Still Geoff was a shining force on that album. I’d like to have more of that.

[@jjking4573]

I’m liking this album better than the quest I just wish they would cut the orchestra and get more of Jeff Downes and I’m just not a fan of Davidson at all

[@jjking4573]

Billy Steve and Jay were great

[@PaulMazzoni]

Maybe I didn’t give The Quest a fair shake. I’m not even into glam metal and even I thought it sounded way too soft. 😊 And then there was the controversy of who wrote “The Ice Bridge” which you likely heard. Plus, for someone who knew and loved every album, I thought they hit a new low with “Heaven & Earth” and figured that was it for me. Something about Chris Squire’s passing turned them off for me but perhaps I’m not being fair. I will give it a listen. I did not “Cut From the Stars.”

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yes I agree the last 2 albums have been way too mellow. It took a long time for the shock of Heaven & Earth to wear off that I can now enjoy it. The Quest I liked right from the get go but the whole thing with The Ice Bridge left a bad taste in my mouth. How did it get that far that no one knew the riff belonged to someone else. Still Geoff handled it right and immediately gave the writer credit. The new album is much more upbeat and I dig it, but it hasn’t bowled me over which I was hoping would happen.

[@stevesmith3990]

I've been struggling to like it but the penny has dropped at last. I'd rate it on a par with The Quest. I do wonder about the use of the orchestra and lack of Geoff Downes playing though. Also baffled how Steve Howe thinks Living Out Their Dream should be anywhere near a Yes album.

[@tapanim6576]

😎👍

[@BrendonSnyder]

👍

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

I'll tell you what ... if the album is five songs long. Cut From The Stars to All Connected to Luminosity to Mirror to Circles ... it's a great album.

[@BrendonSnyder]

To be honest I don’t know if dropping track #4 Living Out Their Dream would make it better. I’ve warmed up to Luminosity and I do like Circles. Maybe if they replaced Living Out Their Dream with track #1 Unknown Place from the bonus disc would be my choice and keep the album 6 songs long.

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

@@BrendonSnyder Interesting. Will try that. On first listen, the three bonus tracks and Living Out Their Dream sound to me like Steve Howe Asia songs while Cut/Connected/Luminosity/Mirror/Circles sound like Steve Howe Yes songs. Will keep listening. Thanks for the great work you're doing.

[@marinhrabric6162]

Half of the album i like, half i don't. Definitely better than the previous 2 albums

[@BrendonSnyder]

Well that’s something I guess. I hope it grows on you. It’s been growing for me.

[@marinhrabric6162]

@@BrendonSnyder it is

[@topographic1973ify]

Howe wasnt really there for 53 years. Rabin was there for a long time. I haven't gotten my copy yet so I'm curious. At this point I'm starting to think Yes should change their name to something else because of the problem of expectations.

[@BrendonSnyder]

I didn’t suggest Howe was there the whole time but Rabin was only there for about 12 years. So Howe was there for 41 years. As for expectations, people should stop expecting the band to sound like it’s 1972. Bands change and move on. I accept them for who they are at the time of each album which is how I’ve found interest in each new album. But that’s just me.

[@topographic1973ify]

@@BrendonSnyder You and I share the same opinion about bands changing and acceptance. A lot of fans were shocked when Yes came out and said they weren't going to do the long promised Relayer tour. For starters I don't think Steve could play like that any more and Geoff just isn't that style of keyboard player. They just aren't that band any more but there are other musical avenues to explore. I'll let you know what I think of the album after I listen to it a few times.

[@thomaswarburton7101]

Similarly, I’m not sure how I feel about this group working under the banner of a band with such a strong legacy that they are not really living up to ….. I understand time moves on and things change, but I’m really hard pressed to consider these guys YES. The Beatles had the right idea and real integrity in that regard. Break up and leave the name of the band to cover that period of work that they created together. In my opinion, this project should be called something else. But then, we all know why that hasn’t happened. There’s power, and money, in a brand. Until you run that brand name into the ground, I suppose. I mean, why not call this group Asia? Steve and Geoff were in that band too 😂

[@thomaswarburton7101]

Ok, upon further review… I may have been a bit harsh. They may not be running the band name into the ground….yet (Steve Howe and Billy Sherwood are playing their asses off on this album).

[@antfirmin]

Other than The Ice Bridge I thought The Quest was mirred in mediocrity. As for MttS I think it is a leap in the right direction - you are right about Billy's playing, Jon D has really come of age in the band (at last), Jay's drumming is good but fails to swing the way that Alan's did but that should happen on the next album, Steve is outstanding and Geoff is mostly missing. Disagree about Circles of Time, I think it is excellent (but there are also several other versions that are more uptempo that could be interesting). You don't say much about the bonus disc, which is Steve Howe songs played by the band that are mostly dull - the package would have been better and stronger without the bonus material - less is more!! Otherwise good video!

[@BrendonSnyder]

I decided to focus on the 6 songs that make up the album as the others are bonus tracks. Plus they weren’t overly exciting either. If I had felt those 3 songs would have worked better on the album I’d have discussed them in place of others. I’m glad I’m not the only one that feels Geoff is mostly missing.

[@jeffschielka7845]

YES❗️The greatest band on this or any other planet❗️😎

[@BrendonSnyder]

I’m a big fan as well! Enjoy the new album! 👍

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@BrendonSnyder Thanks, you too!😎

[@robertwatt4248]

​@@tiborosz1825 YES !!!!

[@robertwatt4248]

Agree depending on the genre, certainly no other prog band could touch them and I've seen all the greats in their prime. YES where untouchable !

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@robertwatt4248 214 shows. None recently due to my failing health. Want to catch Jon and The Band Geeks. What has been posted is amazing!😎

[@gkirms]

I'll still take Benoit David over Jon Davison on Vocals as far as replacing Jon Anderson (but who can really replace Jon Anderson). I might be partial to Benoit David after listening to him sing lead vocals with Mystery on 3 albums which are stellar albums. Jon Davison just doesn't have any punch. Although I'll listen to the albums with Davison on Vocals he's just not my preference for Vocal duties.

[@BrendonSnyder]

The probable with Benoit David is he didn’t write or play an instrument. And Steve was looking for someone to contribute. He was great when he was just hired to fill in for Jon. But after it became apparent that he’d replace Jon they found his limitations. Still I liked his vocal delivery on Fly From Here but then again he was just matching what Trevor Horn had already done live. So I don’t know if we’ll every truly know what Benoit David was capable of had he stayed in the band.

[@gkirms]

@@BrendonSnyder I had said that because I loved his vocals in Mystery and I thought he did a great job on Fly From Here and the few songs on the EP 'From a Page'. But I didn't know that bit of information on what Howe was looking for. As you said, we'll never know. I just feel like Davison doesn't deliver the punch. I thought Benoit did it better between the 2.

[@jamesaka007]

I can't help but be amazingly amused at how the words to describe this release are just thrown around, and if it really deserves such lofty praise. Descriptions like "epic", "excellent", "great", "stellar", etc. Not. Please take off the rose colored glasses. I will certainly agree that one can glean a gem here and there with this release, but the adjectives are definitely not accurate and used too loosely. Conversely, we can all talk or argue for hours on how this re-invented band is so much like or not so much like Yes, but the real bottom line is this ensemble can only emulate the concept of the original Yes. All in all it's an above average collection, and very listenable. But with members of the core group now absent, and one original (not veteran) left to keep the embers lit, the shadow of Yes and it's music can only linger and penetrate the veil for fleeting moments. I believe most of the older and wiser "true" Yes Fans who actually lived and experienced the band from the start (as myself ) would agree that these recordings could be enjoyed to a degree, but use caution to not overrate them. As much as I would like this group to create and write music with the same complicated Yes formula, I would think otherwise. The fire that was Yes still smolders for now, but I would rather them be called something like "Steve Howe and Friends" to more accurately describe what they really actually are now. Good but not great, or epic, or stellar music...but a valiant effort.

[@BrendonSnyder]

I’m not sure where you’re near those words as I didn’t use any of them in this review. It’s a good album but I would never call it epic or stellar. I think you watched a different review.

[@jamesaka007]

@@BrendonSnyder Well, the (words) were from your comment responses...and I'm mainly speaking of any music channel that does reviews of rock, prog, etc. Most do a respectable job reviewing, some do not. As for the people who comment, it's really about their response, comments, etc. Positive or not, it's still about overrating this release. Whether they love it or leave it, it's no bother to me. Most my age were raised on radio when FM was how you cut your teeth on the music as it was released. I worked at Tower Records (early 70's) in Hollywood just to be as close to the action and collections as possible. I fondly remember the "Epic, Excellent, Great, and Stellar from groups like Yes, Genesis, and such. It was such an awesome time to be alive. There is no reason to compare them from this iteration to the original, and it's decent enough music...but not as described by some. Just really above average.

[@fernandotor3266]

Yes..one of the best bands ..ever. now.. i dont know..out of fuel

[@marty3888]

Revealing science of god, heart of the sunrise, close to the edge - there isn't one song that compares to those. It's not even Davidson's voice. I've listened to this a few times, thinking maybe after a few times I might like some of it. The thing is, I liked those other songs the first time I heard them. That's what made me a fan. There were even some songs on Heaven and Earth that I liked. But nothing on this album

[@jayvalentine2046]

Ive tried liking yes i think there great musicians and the music is not bad but it just dont catch me i do like roustabout hmmm i guess i like them enough to have a best of album in my collection

[@BrendonSnyder]

Try the album Close To The Edge (1972), Drama (1980) and 90125 (1983). Those are 3 distinct periods of the band from long form prog songs that take up and entire album side to shorter radio friendly pop songs of the 80’s. If you don’t care for these then you probably won’t like anything else in their catalogue.

[@Mattomega]

Interesting! I think this is a great record. Living out their dream and MTTS is a highlight. Downes’ keyboards are textural and atmospheric. And how is circle of time not a Yes song? It was written by the decade-long singer of Yes. That’s a bad take. You seem grumpy.

[@hanksta34]

It's great despite all of you totally worthless critics chiming in on it. S***, I used to buy a crapload of music without first consulting the opinions of KZbinrs.

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yet look at you, here you are still on KZbin. What’s the difference of people like me giving my opinion Vs. you giving your opinion? No one says my opinion is better than yours but at least I’m respectful. The same can’t be said for you.

[@bradyhogan6366]

Maybe just call this band Asia. Good album.

[@BrendonSnyder]

Perhaps

[@martynproctor1576]

Basically I find this new offering boring, other than a few short sections, this music just doesn't do anything for me

[@jakedavis2838]

It sounds like you prefer the Quest over this album.

[@artie218]

Its interesting that this album is considered a yes album just because thats the name. It doesn't to me. The most offputting is the fact that Davison is a yes tribute band singer, and thats all he will ever be. The only reason he was invited in to yes is because he looks and sounds like Jon Anderson. That is why people accept when Trevor Rabin sang back in the day as still Yes over this. And then you use concepts that Anderson developed and lets just get chatgpt and write lyrics in the style of Anderson. This all makes it form over substance.. When you have a singer who is brought in for the most superficial of reasons and pretend, for me it will never work. For those who choose to ignore, have amnesia, never knew, dont want to know, hope you enjoy the album.. For me, I wish Jon Anderson who only let this band run with it because of Chris Squire should have fought to get the name back. But, life is short, better things to do, and thats the beginning and end of my interest in this record or lineup.

[@atlasking6110]

I'm digging this one a LOT. The naysayers can sit around saying nay.

[@BrendonSnyder]

Haha 😂😂😂😂

[@mimikurtz2162]

I think they should have dropped the name 'Yes' around the year 2000. This is perhaps 'The Steve Howe Band', but his presence is the only connection. There are two compositions which are reminiscent of the best Yes era, but the recordings of them sound insipid and sterile. The rest of the tracks range from unremarkable to boring. I won't be buying it.

[@thomasmoroney1079]

One original member and they call themselves Yes??? Not quite 👎

[@BrendonSnyder]

Steve isn’t even an original member. He’s just from their most famous line-up.

[@tonyburton419]

This album is another instantly forgetable offering, since Fly From Here. Or at least that Buggles song being given the Yes treatment. Once a mega fan, now embarrassed about this whole farce. Needs to stop.

[@MrMick50]

You will love Jon Anderson and the band geeks on tour playing 70s yes including The Gates of Delirium