Billy Sherwood Chris Squire - Conspiracy (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Very Bland

Michael Pope | Clinton, MS United States | 01/05/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I like Squire's work. I like Sherwood's work. I don't like their collaberation. One word describes this extremely mediocre effort: BLAND. It's like chewing gum that's lost its flavor. It's like the stench of milk right before it goes bad. I don't even use this album for "filler" music when I entertain friends. It sounds much like both Sherwood & Squire were really tired during their recording sessions. Almost every song is dull, mid-tempo mod rock. Squire's bass is completely inaudible. Sherwood's guitar work is stale and hollow sounding. The keyboards sound a little corny and I think they are overused at times. For you hardcore Yes/prog fans, there is NO technically challenging or thought provoking music on here. It lacks creativity and innovation.The worst part about these songs is that after you listen to any of them, you immediately forget their melodies. They are almost all forgettable. I've listened to this album straight through at least four times, and I can't hum a single line from any song.There is a single redeemable song on this album: "Violet Purple Rose". It drips with challenging but catchy melodies and the harmonies shared between Sherwood and Squire are real ear candy. It's also the only upbeat tempo piece on the entire album. If every song had the same qualities as "Violet Purple Rose", this album would be an excellent listen. As it is, this album is even worse than Yes's 90's pop work, of which I'm a fan.Be warned, even if you are a Yes fan...Last point: I borrowed Squire and Sherwood's second album, "The Unknown", from a friend and it is amazing. I will be picking that one up soon. A complete about-face from this drudgery."

Solid album

Rushead 2112-Hemispheres | Los Angeles, CA. | 09/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't heard the other Conspiracy album so I can't compare this album to that one. But in itself, it's a very solid album. Sonically, it sounds a lot like the Yes album Open Your Eyes, and maybe a little like The Ladder (I guess because Squire and Sherwood performed on those too). Here's a tracklist:

01 Days Of Wonder

02 Light In My Life

03 Violet Purple Rose

04 No Rhyme

05 Lonesome Trail

06 The More We Live

07 Live Conquers All

08 You're The Reason

09 Watching The World

10 Red Light Ahead

Bonus Tracks

11 The Big Peace

12 Comfortably Numb (Yes, it's a remake of the Pink Floyd song . . . but It's actually not that bad).

Two of these songs were previously released on Yes albums. The More We Live appeared on the Union album (and was a better version with Rabin's guitar work) and Love Conquers All, which was the last track on the Yes Years box set (also done with Rabin). If you have access to these track already, they will serve as an example of the weakest tracks on this album. The other tracks are very strong when played along with these.

If you are a serious Yes fan I highly recommend this album!"

Sounds more like a Chris Squire solo album

Lee J. Davito | 05/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I meant that as a compliment...I love Chris' "Fish Out of Water" album. This album has Chris handling lead vox on 6 out of the 10 tracks..Billy also does excellent vocal work. Their vocals work together well.

There are only 2 tracks featuring Alan White on drums...I was under the impression he was on all the tracks...a bit misleading.

I prefer this album over the "The Unknown" album they did together.

I would strongly recommend this to any YES fan.

"

Worthy of Being Called"Yes"

anthony | 04/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD contains superb musicianship and songwriting, but you have to listen to it a couple of times to "get it". A bit like Trevor Rabin-era Yes, this collection boasts the same angelic multi-layered vocals and excellent musical virtuosity that one always expects from Chris Squire, Billy Sherwood,and Alan White.

"Violet Purple Rose" is a masterpiece which features guitar work by Steve Stevens, who manages to preserve his own unique style while still reminding the listener of both Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin at the same time.

Throughout this CD, Chris sounds great on lead vocals, and so does Billy. One thing that may put some listeners off is the over-abundance of songs with slow--occasionally lethargic--tempos. Nevertheless, this is a minor complaint since tunes like "Lonesome Trail", "Days of Wonder",and "You're the Reason" all rival many of Yes' shorter songs.

By the way, if you like this CD, check out Conspiracy's second CD , Circa'c first CD and World Trade's "Euphoria". All of these feature most of the same musicians found on "Conspiracy"."

3 SUPERB songs and some so-so's

mj | Seattle, WA | 05/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Billy and Chris are a great performing team. They do just OK at songwriting together. So, what do you say? Hmmm. Get Chris Squire's "Fish Out Of Water", Billy's "The Big Peace", and YES's "The Ladder" to see what I mean. Great individual songwriters and great performers together in YES.

But this album is just alright. They have written some great stuff together, but it's mostly been with other members of YES and ended up on YES albums. The first 3 songs on this album, though, are SUPERB:

1. Days Of Wonder - powerhouse

2. Light In My Life - just a cool, funky love song. Great vocals

3. Violet Purple Rose - Billy's lyrics here are probably in the top 5 best ever lyrics by anyone in any era. (Oh, and Chris's bass line is one of the best bass riffs you'll ever hear, too)

So, I would recommend this album just for those 3 songs and then you might find your own favorites amongst the others."

Search - Billy Sherwood, Chris Squire :: Conspiracy

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