TIME AND A WORD

If ever an album represented one step forward, two steps backward, this is it. The Yes debut album was the promising effort of five extraordinarily talented musicians of limited song writing abilities who compensated by being able to improvise around some great pop tunes like The Byrds song, "I See You". The debut album is more Vanilla Fudge than traditional Yes, but it gives an overview into the band's ability to display their range of playing. The second album, Time and a Word, is a gigantic advance on their song writing skills, but ultimately fails because of the overambitious attempt to combine their sound with an orchestra. Peter Banks and Tony Kaye bear the brunt of having their instruments submerged in the violins and horns, subverting any continuity of the electric sounds which conflict with the constant interruptions of the orchestra. This is immature Yes, from which the band will learn from the mistakes it makes in the studio. However, the eventual casualties will be the one who complained the most, Peter Banks and Tony Kaye, who leaves after the next album.

The album opener, "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" is terrible. What was the band thinking? Is that the theme of Bonanza that runs through the orchestra? "Then" is a reasonable song if it wasn't for the constant interruptions of the orchestra. "Everydays" is the first song on the album where the band really stretches out with a nice exchange between organ and electric guitar. 'Sweet Dreams" is mediocre at best. "The Prophet" features some ethereal organ by Tony Kaye at the start, if only he was given more latitude in the middle section of the song when the violins take over from the organ. The two best songs on the album are the last two. Astral Traveller is a great piece of psychedelic pop. "Time and a Word" is a beautiful ballad with some ordinary keyboards from Tony Kaye. Rick Wakeman delivers some superb piano playing of the same song on the "Keys to Ascension" album.

I struggle to believe Chris Squire names this his favorite Yes album. As a stepping-stone to the next album, "The Yes Album" it serves it's purpose.

iluvmarillion | 2/5 | 2020-6-23

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this YES review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to iluvmarillion
• Report this review (#2414844)
• Buy YES music online with PA partners
• Show all YES MP3/Stream
• Go to YES page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Time and a Word page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for YES related discussions