Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Before I begin, let me say to all the true die-hard Yes fans out there, "I am one of you". So please don't think that I am just some bitter newbie who joined up with the band in the 80's. Nope, I've been around - buying every album, compilation, box set, and remastered recording that Yes has released, as well as attending every tour for the last 15-20 years. And it is because I have been such a true fan that I am getting so frustrated. Let's look at the facts. Since 1991, Yes has released 4 complete albums of new material (5 if you count Keystudio). In that same time, they have released 6 box sets or compilations which re-hash already released material. And with each new compilation comes a little sampling of new material that forces us to buy the entire catalog of songs that we have already purchased. To make matters worse, Rhino has, over the last year, re-released 11 Yes albums, each with another sampling of new material. So we are forced, yet again, to re-buy all of the same albums we already own. And then, just when we thought we had enough, they give us 2 box sets in as many years and include, once again, samplings of new material. Now, they could have just as easily taken ALL of the new material and put out a disc of completely unreleased material. But then they wouldn't get as much of our money that way, now would they? Of course, it's not all Rhino's fault because this seems to be an old Yes trick (see the 2 live Keys To Ascension albums that had new bonus material thrown on the end or the 3 Magnification releases that each had a different bonus disc of previously unreleased live material). So, aside from feeling completely cheated and ripped off, what is this latest 3-disc compilation really like? Well, the first disc consists of the classic era songs - great of course, but definitely nothing new. The second disc contains the later era songs - right up through Maginification. Now, I love the fact that I have one disc that contains more recent material because I happen to love the 80's and 90's versions of this band. However, the choice of tracks is questionable at best. I don't mean that they chose the wrong songs, but, rather, the wrong versions. For example, they included edited versions of It Can Happen, Big Generator, The Calling, and Homeworld. But, unfortunately, they are terrible edits - cutting where they shouldn't cut and fading out in all the wrong places. And after being treated to butchered versions of these great songs, the disc closes with the full version of Maginfication which, in my opinion, is one of their weaker songs. But the greatest dissapointment, contrary to what other reviewers have said, is Disc 3. This disc includes acoustic versions of Roundabout and South Side Of The sky as well as some other acoustic pieces that were clearly just thrown on to get us to buy "new material". The pieces, in my opinion, show very little creativity and come off as more of an impromptu jam session than as well-thought out pieces of music that the fans of this band have come to expect - and might I add, deserve. And to add insult to injury, the disc is only about 20 minutes long. So it hardly qualifies as a "3-Disc" set. Once again - the fans are cheated. So, in conclusion, I do not mind the occassional marketing trick to get people to buy new albums. But, enough is enough. Again, just do the math: Yes has released 27 albums since Union in 1991, and, including KeyStudio only 5 of them have been new. C'mon guys. We're getting fed up. And we deserve better. So, if anyone associated with Yes cares to listen, let me just say that I will always be a Yes fan, but I am done being a Yes customer.