DRAMA

This album in the YES canon is like a breath of fresh air. After the over-hyped and praised 'Going For The One' and the unbalanced and ugly 'Tormato', the band was running out of steam and ideas. Out went two beloved members and in came a couple of young turks. Right from the get-go we get the most ominous beginning of a YES album ever. "Machine Messiah' starts the album just right for me, dark and menacing, the newbies aquaint themselves well inside the YES 'machine'. Fast pace with fine vocals by Trevor it has an 80's sheen akin to RUSH's polished prog, but with better guitar. From this super beginning we delve into a too short for my take but beautiful nevertheless song, 'White Car. It' could have been a superior track if stretched out to a full length, it's the only gripe I have with the album. Now, if you have the remastered RHINO edition, go to tracks 13-16 which are done by the band with Anderson and Wakeman. What cracks me up is how they sound like 90's YES as oppose to late 70's YES. It kinda re-enforces my tired, old YES equation. The balance of the album just has a lode of energy, it's infecteous and renewed. I'll take this line-up over any that comes after, even though I enjoy 90125. 4 fresh stars!