In one sense, it's heartening that
Jon Anderson has decided to explore music far outside the confines of
Yes on his solo albums -- and it would have been even better if the album actually worked. On 1994's
Deseo, he delved into Latin music, and he returns to that territory on
The More You Know, adding elements of worldbeat and smooth soul to the mix. Coming from
Anderson, it's a bit of a surprise, albeit a welcome one, and for a few songs, the entire enterprise sounds quite promising. By the end of the disc, it almost collapses under its own weight, since
Anderson relies more on sound than songs. Still, the very fact that he's trying something new is quite exciting, and the handful of songs that work make
The More You Know worth a listen from hardcore fans. [The CD was also released with a bonus track.]