FLASH

FLASH got it's start when vocalist Colin Carter and guitarist Peter Banks got together to write some songs. Banks of course was part of the original YES, and the guitarist on their first two albums. Steve Howe would permanently take over that position on "The Yes Album". FLASH would then bring in a bassist and drummer, and they were set. Except for the fact they had no keyboards. Banks would add synths to this record, but they decided to bring in a guest for that keyboard role. And who better than the original YES keyboardist Tony Kaye, who played on the first three YES records.

FLASH would release two studio albums in 1972, while YES would release "Close To The Edge". I must say that YES came to mind quite often during my spins of this record. Mostly the vocals and harmonies, but certain passages as well. This certainly isn't as complex or instrumentally impressive as YES was at this time in 1972. I mean you could compare each musician to each other, and there's not a lot of doubt who is better. That's okay though, it's about the compositions and ideas. And this is good. Not great though. An under 42 minute album with five tracks. They really stretch things out on three of these tunes.

The opener "Small Beginnings" was released as a single, I'm assuming in a shortened form, as this is 9 1/2 minutes long. I do like this one, although that guitar solo that is repeated throughout sounds just like the start of "Pinball Wizard". Right from my first listen, I actually was surprised at this. We get this just before a minute, 2 1/2 minutes in, and after 3 1/2 minutes, maybe more. Lots of repeated themes on this song. "Morning Haze" is one of two shorter pieces. They slow it down here with reserved vocals and a mellow sound. The wordless vocals 2 minutes in remind me of YES.

Back to a long one with "Children Of The Universe" at 9 minutes. It hits the ground running. Catchy stuff. I like this but I find the chorus really annoying. Tony Kaye makes his presence felt on this one. The longest track is "Dreams Of Heaven" at 13 minutes. A bombastic intro with piano before a calm with acoustic guitar. It kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes and we are off! The vocals will become the focus. Things are more determined sounding around 4 1/2 minutes, including the vocals. Its almost jazzy at 5 1/2 minutes with no vocals. An extended jam follows then a stuttering section before they get back to that earlier sound at 11 1/2 minutes. The closer is ballad-like with reserved vocals.

A good album but this isn't the music I'm into to be honest. Heck I only play three YES records these days, the rest, I'm just not that into them. And this is a big step down in my opinion to "Fragile" or "The Yes Album", let alone "Close To The Edge". Funny, thinking of this record I think of the vocals first. They really are the focus. I just am not impressed with the guitar or any other instrument on here.

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