DRAMA

I thought that YES would die without a unique voice quality of Jon ANDERSON and punchy keys style of Rick WAKEMAN. But when I remember that Wakeman was out during The Relayer album, my next question was: "Would YES be able to create another seminal work without Anderson?". GHuszzhh .. I was wrong! This album was indeed an excellent one! Yes, it was much more rocking with upbeat tempo if we compare to "Close to the Edge" even. This album had made my adrenalin exploding when I first listened to "Machine Messiah" as opening track. What a great track this one is! It has all requirements of a rock tune plus heavy prog elements: dazzling bass guitar play, stunning guitar work, fascinating keys by Geoff Downes and excellent vocal line by Trevor Horn. Listening to this track reminds me to old album of YES such as "Fragile". Even thoug this track is really different with any other classic Yes stuff, but I can smell the nuances of classic YES music. It has a dynamic and changing tempos in a well structured composition. I don't see any problem with Trevor Horn's voice at all. He's a great vocalist!

"White Car" is not an interesting track if it is listened to as a stand alone track. But, when it's combined with the next track "Does It Really Happen", I can see a perfect blend. I think this these two tracks must be enjoyed as one. It's like listening to Genesis "Horizon" - "Supper's Ready" whereby it's unusual to split these two united songs. But, don't get me wrong . "Does It Really Happen" is not an epic track like "Supper's Ready". It is an uplifting track in a rock scene, with some poppy beat. But it's interesting as at that time I had never found YES played this kind of music. Remember, this was the time long before "90125" when Trevor Rabin replaced Steve Howe.

"Into the Lens" is probably a good track to introduce someone new to prog or new to YES music. It has a relatively simple structure, nice melody and close proximity with typical pop music. I observe that the bass playing is great by Squire. It seems not only this track that Squire an important bass line: almost all tracks in this album have a dominant bass. It continues to 5th track with "Run Through the Light" with Trevor Horn voice is close to Anderson. I remember my colleague commented "this must be Jon Anderson" when I spin this CD. He was amazed that there is a singer that has a vocal style is similar with Anderson.

The concluding track " Tempus Fugit" is really uplifting and rocking! It has a high energy in term of melody as well as tempo. Observe the dazzling bass guitar play! Ouughhh ... wonderful man! I really like this relatively short track (by YES standard): "Run like an athlete and die like a dead beaten speed-freak / An answer to all of your answers to- YESSSS!!!".

Friends, don't ever believe your neighbor telling you that without ANDERSON and WAKEMAN, Yes is meaningless. This album proves it! Never hesitate to buy this album! Rating 4.25/5. Too naïve? Nope man, I mean it. GW, Indonesia.