IN THE CAN

3.5 stars. It was guitarist Peter Banks the original guitarist for YES, and vocalist Colin Carter who started this band. They started writing some music together to begin with before adding the rhythm section. The self titled debut was released early in 1972, while "In The Can" the followup was released later that same year. Tony Kaye another YES alumni guested on keyboards on the debut, but is absent here. Banks does add some synths.

The vocals are harder to take on this one as he really sings with passion and with a warble throughout. I found he at least changed things up when singing on the debut, but it's like he was determined to sing in this upfront style on here. And of course he's the focus when he does sing. That's the negative.

The positive is that Ray Bennett on bass is sounding in "tone" closer to Chris Squire. His bass is at least upfront and I'm a fan. Mike Hough on drums is given a greater platform on here and comes out with a really nice performance. They even gave him a short track to do a drum solo. But he's more active overall than on the debut. In fact, I thought the rhythm section sounded pedestrian on that debut, which had me thinking maybe they just weren't that good. I was proven wrong here.

So I feel this is a half a star better than the debut mainly for the rhythm section, but also for the guitar work which is more of a focus with Kaye gone. The vocals keep me from going 4 stars though. Again like the debut they stretch things out with three songs on here going over the ten minute mark. The other two include "Stop That Banging" the under 2 minute drum solo, and the 5 minute "Monday Mourning Eyes". The latter is a busy piece with some Howe-like guitar.

Of the three longer tracks I prefer the opener "Lifetown". It's almost festive sounding early on. It was 4 1/2 minutes in on this one where i said to myself "Where did this bass player come from?" Because he didn't sound like this on the debut. I do like this record but that fourth star isn't going to happen. With a different singer yes, but like their album covers, you just cant undo that stuff.

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