Keys 2 is one of the rare occasions when the classic lineup produces new music that both rocks and has the depth of nuance to be called art. Too often Yes songs of the past 20 years have veered too close to soft rock and modern jazz(aka muzak without the strings.) Perhaps these guys were just afraid of sounding like the band that was labeled as pretensious dinosaurs in the 70's. But dinosaurs aren't just old. Dinosaurs are also awesome.
For the most part, the live recordings of the old songs sound as good and often better than the original recordings. No doubt there was some serious dubbing in post production. But when you get through the 18 minutes of the new 'Mind Drive' you realize that these guys can still combine the spirituality and intensity that is inherent in the best of their work. Get it while you can.

The song writing and the overall quality of the studio tracks on this recording were a pleasant surprise. This is the best example of the attempt of 90s Yes to combine their progressive rock legacy with contemporary sounds. 'Mind Drive' could possibly be the best extended piece the band has written since 'Awaken' on 'Going for the One'. Although 'Mind Drive' in some places exhibits weaker moments compositionally; overall it is a strong piece; in places it is awesome. The other shorter pieces on the album mostly hold their own quite well.

The album is supplemented by live versions of some of the best of there 70s material. Since the release of this album, a compilation of the Key I & II studio tracks has been released.

I really like this album, but I can see why it didn't scream up the charts. The live stuff on here is better than on KTA I-- "Turn of the Century" and "Going for the One" are worth the price themselves, and this is the best version of "Time and a Word" ever, I think.

The studio tracks are a hodgepodge. "Mind Drive" is astonishing. It's up there with "Awaken" and "Close to the Edge" inasmuch as (1) it takes 18 minutes for Yes to get their whole point across, and (2) that 18 minutes flies by. Unlike some other long Yes songs, there is very little filler here-- it all goes together. "Footprints" is sung well, but not terribly inspiring musically. "Power" is an intriguing song, but it sounds like Yes never really figured out what they wanted it to be. "Children of Light" was better when they did it live. "Sign Language" is dross, but it's pretty, I guess.

Overall, a really cool album, but it is kind of fans-only.

I have to preface this review by stating that I am a big fan of everything that Yes has done. I think the first disk is great (except for Going For the One being a little sluggish). I believe that disk two, despite what everyone else here has said, suffers, not from compositional problems, but from Rick Wakeman's extrodinarily cheesy keyboard sounds. Don't get me wrong, I love Rick's playing throughout his entire career and this disc is the only time I have found fault with his choice of keyboard sounds, but the patches he uses sound ridiculously fake. I mean, if you want to sound like a string section, get a better patch. If however, you want to sound like a synthsized string section, go right ahead and do so. On this disc, however, Rick can't seem to make up his mind, and what we are offered is a sampling of keyboard sounds which are trite and hackneyed. In addition, everyone up to this review has praised Mind Drive as a return to form. Quite frankly, the performances on this piece sound rather uninspired. Whereas more recent material like Big Generator and The Ladder have a punch and excitement to them, MindDrive sounds to this reviewer like the band is going through the motions. As I mentioned previously, I'm a big fan of Yes in all their various incarnations, but I have to take exception to some elements of Disc 2 on this album.

Of Disc #1 - The cool thing about Yes is that they are all business when playing live. Although these are live recordings, they might as well be studio cuts for their musicianship and precision in the details. The mix captures the punch in Alan White's rock drumming and showcases the elegance of Jon Anderson's still-strong voice. Classic Yes fans will appreciate these new recordings of the better songs from their 1970's period. The bridge between "Your Move" and "All Good People" just roars. "Close to the Edge" is just amazing and the recording admirably captures the power of its live performance. "Going for the One" can be a bit twangy on the original recording, but this performance fattens the rock edge. "Time and a Word," "Turn of the Century," & "And You and I" shine for all their beauty. I liked "Yessongs" as well as the previous reviewer, but the recording technology is so much better here that "Keys" eclipses that classic effort.

Of Disc #2 - Anything that Yes has put out since 90125 has always been a bit controversial for fans of the older stuff. Personally, I love the "West Coast" incarnation with Trevor Rabin as well as the ABWH et.al. crew. That said, however, even I will admit to the glaring inconsistencies when they have tried to duplicate their epics (15+ minute songs). Not so here. The "Mind Drive-Footprints-Bring Me the Power" epic falls slightly short of "Close to the Edge," "Starship Trooper," and the marathon "Tales from Topographic Oceans," but it still is worth the price of the recording all by itself. The rest is very good as well.

Highly Recommended for Fans and Neophytes Alike!