What does The Ladder sound like?

A vibrant blend of symphonic textures and intricate arrangements that exemplify Yes's signature progressive sound. Rooted in progressive rock and art rock. Start with "Homeworld (The Ladder)".

Is The Ladder a good place to start with Yes?

Yes, The Ladder is recommended as a starting point for new Yes listeners. A vibrant blend of symphonic textures and intricate arrangements that exemplify Yes's signature progressive sound. Upon the release of The Ladder in 1999, Yes was experiencing a period of rejuvenation after the return of original guitarist Trevor Rabin. This album marked their first collaboration with producer Bruce Fairbairn, showcasing a shift towards a more polished sound. It followed the band's previous studio album, Open Your Eyes (1997), and was significant as it introduced a new lineup featuring keyboardist Igor Khoroshev.

Who is The Ladder for?

The Ladder works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and gradual builds and payoffs.

How many songs are on The Ladder?

The Ladder has 11 tracks, running approximately 60 minutes.

The Ladder

Yes · 1999

60 min · 11 tracks · progressive rock

A vibrant blend of symphonic textures and intricate arrangements that exemplify Yes's signature progressive sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Homeworld (The Ladder) Start here — As the opening track, it sets an epic tone with expansive melodies and complex structures that define Yes's artistic identity.
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It Will Be a Good Day (The River) — This track features uplifting lyrics and a catchy chorus, showcasing the band's ability to blend thoughtful content with accessible melodies.
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Lightning Strikes — With its dynamic shifts and intricate instrumentation, this song illustrates the band's hallmark of combining technical proficiency with emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks the depth for lasting impact.

What we noticed

The last three tracks feature a gradual decrease in tempo, allowing for a reflective conclusion to the album's themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
gradual builds and payoffs
layered, dense sonic textures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked a resurgence for Yes in the late '90s, gaining wider recognition.
Themes: symphonic textures· uplifting journeys
Career context: Upon the release of The Ladder in 1999, Yes was experiencing a period of rejuvenation after the return of original guitarist Trevor Rabin. This album marked their first collaboration with producer Bruce Fairbairn, showcasing a shift towards a more polished sound. It followed the band's previous studio album, Open Your Eyes (1997), and was significant as it introduced a new lineup featuring keyboardist Igor Khoroshev.
Stylistic neighbors: Genesis· King Crimson· Emerson, Lake & Palmer