Steve Howe

This is more like it -- a lithe, lively collection of material, sung in good voice (Howe is joined by his 1960s Tomorrow bandmate Keith West) and played with the kind of robust, cheerful verve that characterized the best moments of Yes's classic sound. There are also guitar breaks that recall the best moments of Yes's work, only they're a little quieter, which gives one the chance to appreciate Howe's virtuoso dexterity. What's more, the melodies range from the beautiful to the memorable, and the songs are clever ("Blinded By Science"), passionate ("Beautiful Ideas"), and generally enjoyable. Howe plays lots of electric and acoustic guitars ("The Valley of Rocks" is a delightful sequel to The Yes Album's "The Clap"), plus mandolin, koto, and numerous other stringed instruments, backed by a violin and keyboards, and drums and bass. One of the better recent offshoots of 1970s progressive rock. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide