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| Magnification (Yes album) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Magnification |
| Type | studio |
| Released | 15 September 2001 |
| Recorded | 2000–2001 |
| Studio | Armoury Studios, Vancouver; Mountain View Studios, Vancouver; British Grove Studios, London; The Mill, Berkshire |
| Genre | Progressive rock, symphonic rock |
| Length | 64:39 |
| Label | Eagle, Sanctuary, Beyond Music |
| Producer | Yes, Phil Carson, Billy Sherwood |
| Prev title | The Ladder |
| Prev year | 1999 |
| Next title | Symphonic Live |
| Next year | 2002 |
Magnification (Yes album) is the sixteenth studio album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released in 2001. The record is notable for featuring orchestral arrangements by Jeremy Cubert and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, a lineup of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White and Billy Sherwood, and for being created without a dedicated keyboardist. The album continued Yes's exploration of symphonic textures and lengthy compositions after their 1999 release The Ladder.
Following the touring cycle for The Ladder and appearances at festivals such as Woodstock 1999 and Rock am Ring, Yes returned to writing and rehearsing in late 1999 and 2000. Guitarist Steve Howe and bassist Chris Squire collaborated with vocalist Jon Anderson while drummer Alan White and multi-instrumentalist Billy Sherwood contributed to arrangements, rehearsals and studio tracking. Sessions took place at Armoury Studios, Vancouver and other studios, with production shared by the band, Phil Carson and Sherwood. Without the participation of longstanding keyboardist Rick Wakeman or touring member Geoff Downes, Yes opted for orchestral textures; they contracted the London Philharmonic Orchestra and arranger Larry Groupé (credited as orchestral arranger) to supplement the quintet's sound. Management by Brian Lane and label negotiations with Eagle Records and Sanctuary Records framed the logistical backdrop.
Musically, Magnification blends progressive rock forms from Yes's earlier albums like Close to the Edge and Fragile with symphonic rock elements associated with composers and ensembles such as Gustav Mahler and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra approach. Extended tracks such as "In the Presence Of" and "Can You Imagine" use multipart structures, contrapuntal basslines from Squire, Howe's acoustic and electric guitar textures, White's polyrhythmic drumming reminiscent of his work with John Lennon collaborators, and Anderson's liric vocal lines. Orchestral arrangements provide harmonic pads, counter-melodies and choral-like swells that reference the seventies fusion of rock and orchestra exemplified by Deep Purple and The Moody Blues. Lyrically, themes draw on spirituality and cosmology, aligning Anderson's interests shared with figures like George Harrison and institutions such as Theosophical Society-inspired thought. The absence of a dominant keyboard soloist shifted attention to guitar orchestration, string voicings, and layered vocal harmonies reminiscent of Fragile-era ensembles.
Magnification was released in September 2001 on Eagle Records in Europe and Sanctuary Records in North America, with distribution arrangements involving Beyond Music. The band promoted the album with the Yes Magnification Tour featuring orchestral accompaniment on select dates and subsequent recordings issued as Symphonic Live. Singles and promotional tracks were serviced to radio outlets and specialty progressive rock programs hosted by broadcasters like BBC Radio 2 and SXM-style satellite channels. Media appearances included interviews with music journalists from outlets such as Rolling Stone, Q and Mojo, and television spots on music shows similar to Later... with Jools Holland and festival slots at events like Isle of Wight Festival revival editions.
Critical response was mixed to favorable: reviewers from publications such as AllMusic, The Guardian, NME, Uncut and Classic Rock noted the ambitious orchestration and strong ensemble performances while critiquing moments of excess and the lack of a distinct keyboard voice akin to Rick Wakeman or Tony Kaye. Commentators compared the album's scope to landmark works by Yes peers including Genesis and Pink Floyd while assessing Anderson's lyrical tendencies alongside contemporaries like Peter Gabriel. Retrospectives in outlets including Stereogum, The Quietus and Prog Magazine revisited the album as a late-period Yes statement that balanced fan service with orchestral experimentation.
Magnification charted in multiple territories, entering the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200 in the United States, and registering placements on specialist charts such as the Billboard Top Internet Albums and European national charts including Offizielle Top 100. Sales were modest compared with Yes's commercial peak in the 1970s with albums like Close to the Edge and Fragile, but the record supported profitable touring and live album releases. The Magnification Tour drew audiences at venues including Madison Square Garden-sized arenas and large amphitheaters, reinforcing Yes's durable fanbase cultivated through associations with festivals and legacy acts like King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
All songs written by Anderson, Squire, Howe, White and Sherwood unless otherwise noted. 1. "In the Presence Of" – multipart suite 2. "Can You Imagine" – multipart suite 3. "Don't Go" – single-length track 4. "Give Love Each Day" – ballad 5. "Magnification" – title track, orchestral centerpiece 6. "Time Is Time" – mid-tempo piece 7. "Every Little Island" – closing suite
Special editions included bonus live recordings and CD-ROM multimedia content distributed by labels such as Eagle Rock Entertainment.
- Jon Anderson – lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar - Chris Squire – bass guitar, backing vocals, harmonica (on select tracks) - Steve Howe – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, pedal steel - Alan White – drums, percussion - Billy Sherwood – guitars, bass, vocals, production assistance - London Philharmonic Orchestra – orchestral instruments and ensemble - Larry Groupé – orchestral arrangements - Phil Carson – executive production - Bruce Fairbairn-style engineering teams and studio staff at Armoury Studios and British Grove Studios
Guest engineers, session string players and choir members augmented the core personnel during overdubs and mixing.
Magnification occupies a distinctive place in Yes's discography as the band's orchestral studio experiment in the 21st century, influencing later symphonic collaborations by progressive and classic rock acts. Its integration of full orchestra with a rock quintet informed live productions such as Symphonic Live and inspired contemporaries and successors including Trans-Siberian Orchestra-style fusion projects and orchestral tours by bands like Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake & Palmer reunion efforts. Scholars and commentators at institutions such as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-related exhibitions and university music departments have cited the album when discussing late-period progressive rock, while fan communities on platforms including ProgArchives and archival projects have preserved alternate mixes and concert footage.
Category:2001 albums Category:Yes (band) albums