Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks – True (Frontiers, 2024)
True is Jon Anderson‘s latest contribution to the world of progressive rock, a genre he helped define as the iconic frontman for Yes. This time, Anderson teams up with the American collective known as The Band Geeks, and the result is a revitalizing journey through the sounds that made Yes legendary in the 1970s. With True, Anderson has found not just capable collaborators, but musicians who seem to understand his profound musical vision.
Having toured with The Band Geeks since 2023, Anderson chose to record True with them, and the synergy between the two is refreshing and undeniable. While Yes in its current iteration feels like a diluted version of its former self, save for Steve Howe’s reliably brilliant guitar work, Anderson’s collaboration with The Band Geeks breathes fresh life into the Yes legacy. This album doesn’t just recall the golden era of Yes; it proudly extends it.
The opening track, “True Messenger,” sets the stage with Anderson’s unmistakable lead vocals and harmonically rich arrangements. Here, the band taps into the classic Yes formula, lush acoustic guitars, majestic organ and synth textures, and a rhythmic complexity that echoes Chris Squire’s revered bass lines. The drumming, inventive yet precise, drives the track forward, while the electric guitar soars with remarkable versatility.
Shorter songs like “Shine” and “Build Me an Ocean” provide a different flavor, yet they remain compelling thanks to Anderson’s vocal mastery and the Geeks’ meticulous arrangements. But the heart of the album lies in its longer pieces. “Counties and Countries,” clocking in at nearly 10 minutes, and the 16-minute epic “Once Upon a Dream.” These are towering compositions that capture the grandeur of symphonic progressive rock. These tracks unfold like the best of Yes epics, layer by layer, building toward climactic moments that thrill and satisfy progressive rock enthusiasts. Anderson’s vocals here are nothing short of his finest in years, enhanced by the rich harmonies provided by The Band Geeks. The instrumental sections are equally dazzling, with standout keyboard and guitar work supported by captivating bass and drum interplay.
While True stays grounded in the progressive rock tradition, Anderson allows room for exploration. On one track, he introduces gospel-inspired choruses, a surprising but welcome addition that enriches the vocal diversity. It exemplifies Anderson’s enduring creativity, showing that even within a familiar framework, there is always space to innovate.
The Band Geeks prove themselves worthy stewards of the Yes legacy, elevating Anderson’s compositions with their technical skill and genuine respect for the material. This partnership is so strong that one can’t help but imagine what could be if Yes veterans like Steve Howe or Rick Wakeman joined forces with Anderson and The Band Geeks, perhaps the ultimate Yes supergroup?
Co-produced by Jon Anderson and Richie Castellano, True is an album that not only recalls the past but forges a path forward. Their production work creates a sound that’s expertly constructed and full of the warmth and complexity that progressive rock thrives on. This is an album that stands proudly within the Yes lineage.
Musicians: Jon Anderson on lead vocals, harp, production, musical arrangements; Richie Castellano on bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals, production, musical arrangements, engineering, mixing; Andy Ascolese on drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals, associate production, musical arrangements, engineering; Andy Graziano on guitar, vocals; Christopher Clark on keyboards, musical arrangements; Robert Kipp on Hammond organ, vocals; and Anne Marie Nacchio on additional vocals.
Buy True.