Yes
9012 Live

THE REVIEW

The Yes captured in their new incarnation by Canadian director Steven Soderbergh.

We're in 1984 and the group had released the best-selling "90125" the previous year and no longer have Howe or the cumbersome Wakeman in the lineup. The two are replaced by the revived Tony Kaye and South African guitarist Trevor Rabin for a very 1980s pop-rock sound with some hints of heavy rock, with no trace left of the old prog sound, Trevor Horn has reset everything (listen to the Buggles' work "Adventures In Modern Recording" from '81 to understand where the sound of these Yes comes from).

The DVD "9012 Live" brings the viewer back to a historical period in music that leaves one decidedly puzzled. If you focus purely on the musical aspect, it is interesting to see this lineup in action to understand how Trevor Rabin actually took the group by the hand along with Squire, leading it toward a catchy, alluring sound with strong arena-rock shades, "Hold On", "It Can Happen", "City Of Love". The band plays and has fun, Alan White integrates his drums with electronic percussion, which he flaunts proudly in the curious "Leave It", Rabin and Squire entertain the audience with moves reminiscent of the metal bands of the period, and Anderson? He does his part but seems decidedly out of place, and the prevailing feeling is that the new colors of the Yes sound do not suit him very well. Negatively, there is the terrible look of the group, with teased and platinum blonde dyed hair (Squire's crest is horrible), flashy clothes put together with poor taste, and an air like uncles from Duran Duran that is hard to digest. Moreover, in the DVD's extra content, Soderbergh captures the group backstage; frankly, they seem like kids, talking about 17-year-olds in the front row who flirt during the concert (Tony Kaye) and silly school trip jokes (Trevor Rabin), a sadness, the triumph of '80s hedonism from a band that has fully ridden the golden age of rock and is now ready to dive into contemporary commercialism.

A useful DVD for fans, curious, a good concert film with great performances but the fake harmony flaunted by the group is annoying. In the interviews, you can enjoy Trevor Rabin criticizing the rivals "Asia", Squire and White recounting the years of "Drama" and the genesis of the group's breakup in '81, all very interesting but for die-hard fans.