Yes vs. King Crimson

King Crimson.  Bolder, more emotional, more versatile (though the last is achieved by an ever changing line up, really) and more consistent.  But Yes is Yes.

YES!!!! By a hundered thousand miles!

I think Fripp would prefer Yes and Yes would prefer KC....... and not just out of politeness.

Crimson certainly influenced Yes, but by the time they made Heart of the Sunrise they were doing their own thing, and were doing far more complex numbers than any other band at that time ('cept maybe Gentle Giant). What Epignosis said rings true..... Yes were brilliant composers, creating pieces of music on a similar level to Stravinsky and Debussy, while KC relied on improvisation and expanding small pockets of genius into long, atmospheric mood pieces.

Neither band could do what the other one did best very well at all.

King Crimson, the pinnacle of prog. But Yes are Close to the Summit too.

I like KC very much, it's my third favourite band so they get my vote

akaBona wrote: there's only one band that can beat Yes and that's Magma. King Crimson comes third. by the way, Tales From Topographic Oceans is a masterpiece. only a person with earwax problem claims something else ...

like Mr Rick Wakeman for example... ?
He left   Yes just because he didn't find TFTO was that masterpiece (as Anderson believed).

BTW, between Yes and KC ...  KC has always kept a good average level throughout the decades, considering all the line up changes and has always had the improvisational side as a distinguishing trademark (with respect to other top bands in the prog-rock circuit, Yes, Genesis,....), but Yes has the highest peaks of all, as well as low moments that make forget what this band was originally... moreover, Yes was born as pop band, a vocal band, and only later they moved to extended songs making use of complex classic arrangements, vocal harmonies, hard rock rhythm section.
It's very easy to be complex and to be dull at the same time, while  it's very rare to be complex and to be pleasant instead. Yes is my favorite band


"Jon Anderson is the only guy who is trying to save this planet while living on another (Rick Wakeman)"

I'd vote for Yes.... if Jon Anderson was still in the band.

Anthony wrote: I'd vote for Yes.... if Jon Anderson was still in the band.

Wouldn't you like to have RW in the band as well?

Voted for KC but I listen to and love both for completely different reasons.

Definitely King Crimson for me. I prefer their darker atmosphere and Fripp's guitar work... and the fact that they didn't make pop albums.