"The Ladder" has been lowered and the world's best known "YES" men invite you to climb the rungs into tomorrow with them. It is truly hard to believe it's been 30 years since their first record. Amazingly, this phenomenon known simply as "YES" continues to lead the way as progressive music pioneers, with one of the most important albums of their career. "The Ladder," it can be safely assumed, is not your typical cash-in re-hash from another veteran rock act with nothing substantial to contribute, nor is it the latest outlet for an empty well disguised under a sellable title.

It's the latter half of 1999, and 80% of the classic lineup led by the Anderson/Howe team, which is of note considering their penchant for logging commuter miles the better part of two decades, still lives on! Rather than a comeback, theoretically the new music best represents a return. This "return" sees "YES" come full circle, and with them the classic style that first put songs like "Roundabout" and "Long Distance Run-Around" into rock radio playlists and kept 'em there for 25 years!

Sadly, "The Ladder" marks the final work of famed producer Bruce Fairbairn, but his undoubted influence in helping to achieve that classic era "YES," along with bringing them up to current standards cannot be overlooked. "Homeworld (The Ladder)" will set listeners off on a nine minute plus night-flight toward the stars and does double duty acting as theme song for the PC game of the same name, compliments of Sierra Studios and easily found for listeners with access to a CD-Rom player.

Resting on past achievements does not form the basis for this latest masterpiece from "YES." There's an evident sense of purpose, and an aura that surrounds the likes of the first single, "Lightning Strikes," as well as "Finally" and "The Messenger." Yet every moment of every song beckons the listener to enter safely into its friendly confines and enjoy life for its own sake.

"The Ladder" is an altogether workable album, noteworthy for its persistently challenging musical patterns interspersed with intricate ballads. It won't be checking into the "Classic Rock Hotel" any time soon, but it's long and tenuous at times, a marked departure from radio-friendly '80s hits that characterized the likes of "90125" and "Big Generator," so expectations of swift pop melodies may quickly be extinguished.

Classic moments notwithstanding, by design, "The Ladder" finds "YES" continuing in the exploratory fashion that's seen them climb to the top in networking instrumental superiority with technical innovation. Progressive reformers past, present, and future.