Are The Yes Album, CttE and GftO the best 3 of Yes
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=133405 Printed Date: November 27 2024 at 02:21 Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Are The Yes Album, CttE and GftO the best 3 of YesPosted By: Yesster
Subject: Are The Yes Album, CttE and GftO the best 3 of Yes
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 00:41
Hi! Are the three best Yes's albums ever Going for the One, Close to the Edge, and The Yes Album? Let me elaborate on this a bit more. The Yes Album is undeniably a ground-breaking record that fully developed the Yes's style. Released in February 1971, as an inventive combination of rock, jazz, and classical influences, this record flashed and solidified the Yes' status as one of the most important progressive rock bands. Widely considered a quintessential record of the genre, Close to the Edge is a 1972 album that features Yes's extraordinary musicianship, complex compositions as its side-long track, and philosophical lyrics. The 1977 album Going for the One is a successful blend of catchy melodies that are reachable to a wider audience and very complex parts like "Awaken," of which many claim that is musically the most matured Yes' over-10-minute-long song. What do you think? Discuss.
Replies: Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 03:14
I think Relayer, Relayer, Relayer... (but would probably rank the three you mention 4, 2, and 3).
Or actually, Yessongs beats them all but maybe doesn't count.
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 05:16
Welcome to the forums.
The Yes Album, and Close To The Edge, I agree. My third would be 90125.
Posted By: wiz_d_kidd
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 06:32
If you replace GftO with Relayer, then yes.
------------- “I don’t like country music, but I don’t mean to denigrate those who do. And for those who like country music, denigrate means to ‘put down.'” – Bob Newhart
Posted By: AlanB
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 08:32
They are definitely my three favourites. I find Fragile inconsistent, Relayer just a noise and Tales too long and boring in places.
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 08:55
CttE, Relayer, tYA, GftO, Fragile
I would think?
------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 09:36
Close to the Edge (because...!) Relayer (because: "The Gates of Delirium" and "Sound Chaser") Going for the One (because: "Parallels" and "Awaken")
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 09:44
The best three YES albums for me:-
Going for the One
The Ladder
Mirror to the Sky
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 09:57
My three would be in order: Relayer, Close to the Edge, and Keystudio (or if you prefer, Keys to Ascension 1 and 2 as a set).
On Mondays, I'm an on-site sanitation system!
------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 10:00
wiz_d_kidd wrote:
If you replace GftO with Relayer, then yes.
My response as well.
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 10:27
progaardvark wrote:
My three would be in order: Relayer, Close to the Edge, and Keystudio (or if you prefer, Keys to Ascension 1 and 2 as a set).
On Mondays, I'm an on-site sanitation system!
I love the KTA originals and they (or it) would be fifth, after Drama.
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 13:04
Logan wrote:
Time and a Word
Nice to see this album getting some love.
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 13:24
Close To The Edge
The Yes Album
The Big Generator
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 15:00
I think the big three for Yes is usually considered to be The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge. For me personally I would replace TYA (as much as it hurts me to not include it in the top 3) with Relayer. Some probably see GFTO as the beginning of the end for the band but it's still a very good album. They didn't really start to "drop the ball" until much later imo.
Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:
CTTE, Relayer, Fragile
My choices as well.
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 15:02
BrufordFreak wrote:
IMO, only CttE and Relayer stand as complete masterpieces with Fragile and Going for the One standing in line just behind.
I find both of the band's first two albums more enjoyable to listen to than The Yes Album.
Just out of curiosity what is it that rubs you the wrong way about TYA?
Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 15:51
Close to the Edge Relayer Tales from Tpopographic Ocean
Going for the one, Fragile and Yes Album to follow ( in no ranking)
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 19:46
BrufordFreak wrote:
IMO, only CttE and Relayer stand as complete masterpieces with Fragile and Going for the One standing in line just behind.
I find both of the band's first two albums more enjoyable to listen to than The Yes Album.
I'm totally with you on the first statement, but the second less so as although I like the debut, Time and a Word just doesn't work for me.
Many consider Drama a masterpiece and I might be tempted to put that on the second tier with GFTO and Fragile. Woud also include The Yes Album here.
3rd tier albums are maybe TFTO, Debut, 90125, The Ladder, Talk, Keys Studio, Magnification, Mirror To The Sky. After that I'm not bothering..
(although Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks would be 2nd tier if it were 'truly' Yes)
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 21:37
Imo the only thing wrong with Drama is that it doesn't have Jon Anderson on it. Trevor Horn does a fine job with the vocals but without Jon it doesn't really sound like a classic Yes album to me (or at least I can't lump it in with the earlier stuff but that's how I feel about 90125 also). However, I grew up with it and so maybe I just got used to it. If you look at just the music on it and the playing it's probably one of their strongest ever.
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 23:00
I'd vote CTTE, Tales and Relayer.
Tales continues to impress me, years after its release. I always seem to hear something new whenever I listen to it.
Inconsistent, perhaps, but its best moments are Yes' best moments.
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: August 27 2024 at 23:32
Fragile, Close to the Edge and Relayer for me. Those are the only three Yes-albums I'd rate as high as four stars. So while I do acknowledge their greatness, skills and all of that, I'm not the biggest fan.
Posted By: Yesshead
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 01:40
Hello! I just made an account because of this excellent thread.
Well, I agree with the OP's premises. As a long-term Yessfan, I, for
one, do consider The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Going for
the One to be truly the best three studio albums by the band.
The
Yes Album really signalled a sea change in their sound, featuring amazing and
classic Yessongs like Yours Is No Disgrace and Starship Trooper, and Close to the Edge, with its grand structure and spiritual themes—not
just the title track but also other songs like it—is frequently regarded
as the peak of early 1970s prog-rock in general. Going for the
One, on which the real Yes-keyboardist returned to the band and the
jazz-rock tendencies showcased on the confused Relayer were abandoned
regarding new material, indeed successfully combines accessibility with
complexity, featuring standout "easy listening" songs such as the
beautiful Wonderous Stories and the drumless masterpiece Turn of the Century,
while on the other side, Yes was demonstrating their fully grown ability
to create a perfect intricate yet still pleasant long-form with Awaken,
featuring a church organ instead of jazz-rock bursts like on the side-long track from the previous studio album.
Posted By: essexboyinwales
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 07:40
Drama, ABWH, Can’t Look Away😉
------------- Heaven is waiting but waiting is Hell
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 08:09
Yesshead wrote:
Hello! I just made an account because of this excellent thread.
Well, I agree with the OP's premises. As a long-term Yessfan, I, for
one, do consider The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Going for
the One to be truly the best three studio albums by the band.
The
Yes Album really signalled a sea change in their sound, featuring amazing and
classic Yessongs like Yours Is No Disgrace and Starship Trooper, and Close to the Edge, with its grand structure and spiritual themes—not
just the title track but also other songs like it—is frequently regarded
as the peak of early 1970s prog-rock in general. Going for the
One, on which the real Yes-keyboardist returned to the band and the
jazz-rock tendencies showcased on the confused Relayer were abandoned
regarding new material, indeed successfully combines accessibility with
complexity, featuring standout "easy listening" songs such as the
beautiful Wonderous Stories and the drumless masterpiece Turn of the Century,
while on the other side, Yes was demonstrating their fully grown ability
to create a perfect intricate yet still pleasant long-form with Awaken,
featuring a church organ instead of jazz-rock bursts like on the side-long track from the previous studio album.
That phrase 'the real Yes keyboardist' is very interesting! It seems that Rick seriously got the hump after TFTO so left. Relayer is then a fearless bold step into the future and everything that progressive rock should be. Fast forward a few years and the management are begging Wakeman to return. This can't possibly be for commercial reasons as Wakeman was shifting serious amounts of units with Six Wives, Journey, King Arthur and the White Rock albums all charting high? Perhaps I'm just a natural born cynic
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 09:12
cstack3 wrote:
I'd vote CTTE, Tales and Relayer.
Tales continues to impress me, years after its release. I always seem to hear something new whenever I listen to it.
Inconsistent, perhaps, but its best moments are Yes' best moments.
Aren't you the one that posted a long time ago that Tales inspired you to become a forest ranger? Maybe I'm thinking of someone else though.
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 09:22
richardh wrote:
That phrase 'the real Yes keyboardist' is very interesting! It seems that Rick seriously got the hump after TFTO so left. Relayer is then a fearless bold step into the future and everything that progressive rock should be. Fast forward a few years and the management are begging Wakeman to return. This can't possibly be for commercial reasons as Wakeman was shifting serious amounts of units with Six Wives, Journey, King Arthur and the White Rock albums all charting high? Perhaps I'm just a natural born cynic
Moraz would've left, anyway. The tense atmosphere (or maybe whatever tension was directed at him) wasn't conducive to his participation. He'd gone from a trio to a quintet, one ruled by much larger egos. Wakeman was initially supposed to be a session player, strictly for pay, not reinstated as a full-time member, though Yes' manager decided to go ahead and do it (without Rick's consent, though he didn't mind). Any which way we cut it, it was the right move. "Awaken" is my favorite Yes epic.
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 15:44
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
I'd vote CTTE, Tales and Relayer.
Tales continues to impress me, years after its release. I always seem to hear something new whenever I listen to it.
Inconsistent, perhaps, but its best moments are Yes' best moments.
Aren't you the one that posted a long time ago that Tales inspired you to become a forest ranger? Maybe I'm thinking of someone else though.
Close!! Inspired me to switch academic paths from medicine to environmental science.
Interesting story....the Yes tour for TFTO was going to arrive in my university town (Champaign, Illinois USA), but the show was canceled because they said the tour buses & trucks didn't think they would find fuel on the way down (this was during the "Arab Oil Embargo" of that year).
I was PISSED and decided to tackle the fuel crisis on my own. Since then, I have become a leading figure in generation of alternative fuels (mostly biofuels) that do not harm the environment. Awards from the UK, US and others.
"Let them rape the forests?" Over my cold, dead body.
http://www.neochloris.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.neochloris.com is my consultancy. Look at "Projects."
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 16:01
cstack3 wrote:
...I was PISSED and decided to tackle the fuel crisis on my own. Since then, I have become a leading figure in generation of alternative fuels (mostly biofuels) that do not harm the environment. Awards from the UK, US and others. "Let them rape the forests?" Over my cold, dead body....
"It's people. Environmentally green biofuel is made out of people. They're making our fuel out of people. Next thing they'll be breeding us like cattle for fuel. You've gotta tell them. You've gotta tell them!" (not quite Charlton Heston in Soylent Green)
"I'll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands" (actual Charlton Heston quote).
Sorry, compelled to post this. Not claiming the biofuel you present is made out of people, although bodies are an applicable source.
------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 28 2024 at 20:02
cstack3 wrote:
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
I'd vote CTTE, Tales and Relayer.
Tales continues to impress me, years after its release. I always seem to hear something new whenever I listen to it.
Inconsistent, perhaps, but its best moments are Yes' best moments.
Aren't you the one that posted a long time ago that Tales inspired you to become a forest ranger? Maybe I'm thinking of someone else though.
Close!! Inspired me to switch academic paths from medicine to environmental science.
Interesting story....the Yes tour for TFTO was going to arrive in my university town (Champaign, Illinois USA), but the show was canceled because they said the tour buses & trucks didn't think they would find fuel on the way down (this was during the "Arab Oil Embargo" of that year).
I was PISSED and decided to tackle the fuel crisis on my own. Since then, I have become a leading figure in generation of alternative fuels (mostly biofuels) that do not harm the environment. Awards from the UK, US and others.
"Let them rape the forests?" Over my cold, dead body.
http://www.neochloris.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.neochloris.com is my consultancy. Look at "Projects."
Very interesting. So was it the line "let them rape the forest" that made you change paths or the oil embargo? Or both?
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 00:26
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
I'd vote CTTE, Tales and Relayer.
Tales continues to impress me, years after its release. I always seem to hear something new whenever I listen to it.
Inconsistent, perhaps, but its best moments are Yes' best moments.
Aren't you the one that posted a long time ago that Tales inspired you to become a forest ranger? Maybe I'm thinking of someone else though.
Close!! Inspired me to switch academic paths from medicine to environmental science.
Interesting story....the Yes tour for TFTO was going to arrive in my university town (Champaign, Illinois USA), but the show was canceled because they said the tour buses & trucks didn't think they would find fuel on the way down (this was during the "Arab Oil Embargo" of that year).
I was PISSED and decided to tackle the fuel crisis on my own. Since then, I have become a leading figure in generation of alternative fuels (mostly biofuels) that do not harm the environment. Awards from the UK, US and others.
"Let them rape the forests?" Over my cold, dead body.
http://www.neochloris.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.neochloris.com is my consultancy. Look at "Projects."
Very interesting. So was it the line "let them rape the forest" that made you change paths or the oil embargo? Or both?
Both, and then some. The state of the US back then (1975-76) was very chaotic, with the collapse of the Viet Nam war, Nixon's Watergate problems, and environmental disasters like Love Canal etc. The oil embargo thing REALLY ticked me off though!! Now, the Yes vans could be filled with biogas from cow manure in some states.
I really didn't want to go into medicine, but felt compelled to by my family. My transition to environmental scientist took years, but I've finally accomplished my dream. Still, the climate is a huge problem, and that is what I focus on these days. Damn depressing work it is.
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 00:50
CttE, Fragile and TYA are my top three, Relayer and GftO are just behind.
-------------
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 02:56
verslibre wrote:
richardh wrote:
That phrase 'the real Yes keyboardist' is very interesting! It seems that Rick seriously got the hump after TFTO so left. Relayer is then a fearless bold step into the future and everything that progressive rock should be. Fast forward a few years and the management are begging Wakeman to return. This can't possibly be for commercial reasons as Wakeman was shifting serious amounts of units with Six Wives, Journey, King Arthur and the White Rock albums all charting high? Perhaps I'm just a natural born cynic
Moraz would've left, anyway. The tense atmosphere (or maybe whatever tension was directed at him) wasn't conducive to his participation. He'd gone from a trio to a quintet, one ruled by much larger egos. Wakeman was initially supposed to be a session player, strictly for pay, not reinstated as a full-time member, though Yes' manager decided to go ahead and do it (without Rick's consent, though he didn't mind). Any which way we cut it, it was the right move. "Awaken" is my favorite Yes epic.
I would still go Gates partly for reasons I stated in my post, it was bold and out there. GFTO is much more 'commercial' sounding for prog rock. It probably embodies the spirit of the band better and I suspect that Anderson and Squire were happy to rein it back in a bit. Awaken is very nice for the church organ and choir and structurally is very different to most prog epics so kudos to it. In general I did feel that Yes were beginning to repeat themselves a bit. It was already in danger of turning into the pastiche of Yes that it has now become.
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 02:58
Everything up to 90125 included
------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 03:07
richardh wrote:
I would still go Gates partly for reasons I stated in my post, it was bold and out there. GFTO is much more 'commercial' sounding for prog rock. It probably embodies the spirit of the band better and I suspect that Anderson and Squire were happy to rein it back in a bit. Awaken is very nice for the church organ and choir and structurally is very different to most prog epics so kudos to it. In general I did feel that Yes were beginning to repeat themselves a bit. It was already in danger of turning into the pastiche of Yes that it has now become.
They'd have never gotten away with another Relayer in 1977, even if they'd wanted to; as we all know, there was a chasm in attitudes to prog and commerciality between 74 & 77; GfTO was, like Wind & Wuthering, an album for its times.
------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 03:28
^ commercially speaking I agree which was partly what I was saying in my earlier post. At least Pink Floyd understood what a prog album was
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 03:35
richardh wrote:
^ commercially speaking I agree which was partly what I was saying in my earlier post. At least Pink Floyd understood what a prog album was
Yes, I have long been in awe of the bravery of 'Animals', and indeed it's acceptance by the musical press at a time when others were releasing 'Love Beach' but we digress...
------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 07:09
Not much love for TFTO in this thread!!
Give "The Remembering" another good, hard listen!!
RELAYER....all the dying cried before you!!
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 09:26
cstack3 wrote:
Not much love for TFTO in this thread!!
I like TFTO a lot, it's just not in my top three. Let's face it, they have a plethora of fine records.
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 11:27
Yes Album, Fragile, CTTE
------------- 'We're going to need a bigger swear jar.'
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 13:44
verslibre wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
Not much love for TFTO in this thread!!
I like TFTO a lot, it's just not in my top three. Let's face it, they have a plethora of fine records.
I think it is one of the most amazing works of music ever recorded!!
When it first came out, I used to listen to "Revealing," flip the vinyl over for "Remembering," and by then I was Yes'd out and went on to King Crimson etc....
I think if the release had been limited to those two sides, it would have been their best LP, after CTTE.
Here, immerse yourself into THIS!!
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 13:51
cstack3 wrote:
I think if the release had been limited to those two sides, it would have been their best LP, after CTTE.
It's possible. Wakeman laid down some glorious Tron lines and Howe summoned some of his best guitar work. TFTO is essential Yes, it just veers indulgent at times.
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 14:27
verslibre wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
I think if the release had been limited to those two sides, it would have been their best LP, after CTTE.
It's possible. Wakeman laid down some glorious Tron lines and Howe summoned some of his best guitar work. TFTO is essential Yes, it just veers indulgent at times.
Unlike Brain Salad Surgery?
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 15:16
cstack3 wrote:
Not much love for TFTO in this thread!!
Of all the albums by Yes I have heard, I only prefer TfTO over Tormato.
The Revealing Science of God: Was decent in earlier releases when the track opened with vocals (6/10). The glorious intro was completely ruined by the synthscapes that were added in later releases (5/10). The Remembering: I like the section from about 9 to 14 minutes. About 75% is just tedious imho (5/10). The Ancient: Obviously the best track. I like the passage with the parade of solar deities and the acoustic closing section (8/10). Ritual: Utterly pointless and forgettable. Arguably the worst track in the entire catalog of Yes (2/10).
It seems that this album finally found its due place in this thread .
-------------
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 15:39
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
verslibre wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
I think if the release had been limited to those two sides, it would have been their best LP, after CTTE.
It's possible. Wakeman laid down some glorious Tron lines and Howe summoned some of his best guitar work. TFTO is essential Yes, it just veers indulgent at times.
Unlike Brain Salad Surgery?
Keith Emerson didn't like the Mellotron and barely used it (on "Abaddon's Bolero").
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 15:51
verslibre wrote:
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
verslibre wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
I think if the release had been limited to those two sides, it would have been their best LP, after CTTE.
It's possible. Wakeman laid down some glorious Tron lines and Howe summoned some of his best guitar work. TFTO is essential Yes, it just veers indulgent at times.
Unlike Brain Salad Surgery?
Keith Emerson didn't like the Mellotron and barely used it (on "Abaddon's Bolero").
I was kidding but I meant the indulgent part anyway.
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 15:57
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
verslibre wrote:
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
verslibre wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
I think if the release had been limited to those two sides, it would have been their best LP, after CTTE.
It's possible. Wakeman laid down some glorious Tron lines and Howe summoned some of his best guitar work. TFTO is essential Yes, it just veers indulgent at times.
Unlike Brain Salad Surgery?
Keith Emerson didn't like the Mellotron and barely used it (on "Abaddon's Bolero").
I was kidding but I meant the indulgent part anyway.
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 29 2024 at 17:27
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 31 2024 at 00:18
someone_else wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
Not much love for TFTO in this thread!!
Of all the albums by Yes I have heard, I only prefer TfTO over Tormato.
The Revealing Science of God: Was decent in earlier releases when the track opened with vocals (6/10). The glorious intro was completely ruined by the synthscapes that were added in later releases (5/10). The Remembering: I like the section from about 9 to 14 minutes. About 75% is just tedious imho (5/10). The Ancient: Obviously the best track. I like the passage with the parade of solar deities and the acoustic closing section (8/10). Ritual: Utterly pointless and forgettable. Arguably the worst track in the entire catalog of Yes (2/10).
It seems that this album finally found its due place in this thread .
Well done!! We don't agree on everything (I find "The Ancient" to be quite tedious), but I have friends who agree with you and me about the wonderful opening of "Revealing Science of God" on the original vinyl pressing, where the song opens with their amazing vocals!!
The later remastered version of Revealing, with all the noodling & ambient stuff added, is a good argument against remastering the classics.
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 31 2024 at 02:22
someone_else wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
Not much love for TFTO in this thread!!
Ritual: Utterly pointless and forgettable. Arguably the worst track in the entire catalog of Yes (2/10).
It seems that this album finally found its due place in this thread .
Really? Not counting anything on Heaven and Earth then?
This reminds me a little bit of Steven Wilson's comment of y/t recently when he said that 'Pirates (ELP) is the worst piece of music I've ever heard' and likened it to a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.
Persoannly I think Ritual is great on Yes Symphonic with the orchestra and was a lot of fun to see done live with all those kettle drums (influence from Gentle Giant maybe?!). I rate it as a top 3 Yes epic and the only thing on that album that has some 'balls'. Prog rock is still rock music remember
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: August 31 2024 at 09:21
^I have never heard Heaven & Earth . I see that it has the lowest rating save one of all their studio albums.
-------------
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 31 2024 at 10:01
The Remembering is my least favorite track on tales. It just repeats itself too much (imo).
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: August 31 2024 at 10:02
someone_else wrote:
^I have never heard Heaven & Earth . I see that it has the lowest rating save one of all their studio albums.
That's the only Yes studio album I've never owned (not counting the Keys to Ascension albums even though I do have Keystudio).
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 31 2024 at 11:17
richardh wrote:
someone_else wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
Not much love for TFTO in this thread!!
Ritual: Utterly pointless and forgettable. Arguably the worst track in the entire catalog of Yes (2/10).
It seems that this album finally found its due place in this thread .
Really? Not counting anything on Heaven and Earth then?
This reminds me a little bit of Steven Wilson's comment of y/t recently when he said that 'Pirates (ELP) is the worst piece of music I've ever heard' and likened it to a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.
Persoannly I think Ritual is great on Yes Symphonic with the orchestra and was a lot of fun to see done live with all those kettle drums (influence from Gentle Giant maybe?!). I rate it as a top 3 Yes epic and the only thing on that album that has some 'balls'. Prog rock is still rock music remember
Good point about Ritual, it took me a while to really get into the last side of TFTO. I've seen that performed live a bunch of times, but not the other three.
This is Steve Howe playing his Les Paul Junior guitar during "Ritual" in Chicago, during the "Solo Albums Tour."
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: Big Sky
Date Posted: August 31 2024 at 18:46
CTTE, Relayer and Yes Album in that order. Fragile, Tales and Going for the One are brilliant albums, however. GFTO closes out a great run of six albums in a row.
Posted By: Hector Enrique
Date Posted: September 01 2024 at 21:41
1.Close to the Edge
2. Going for the One
3. Yes Album/Fragile (both)
------------- Héctor Enrique
Posted By: AJ Junior
Date Posted: September 02 2024 at 20:10
No Fragile up there is criminal. For me, I gotta go Fragile, Close to the Edge, and the Yes Album. As much as I love Relayer, Tales, and even the underrated Drama, I think these three are the epitome of Yes music, and are also their best sounding most cohesive albums. Tales is all over the place and although the execution of the idea sounds good, the idea itself is complete nonsense, while Relayer (for me) is too weak apart from "Gates of Delirium."
------------- "Together We Stand, Divided We Fall"
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: September 03 2024 at 09:08
1. Close to the Edge
2. Fragile
3. Relayer
------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man.
Posted By: paisanojac
Date Posted: September 03 2024 at 11:53
The answer to your question is subjective to each person since we all have opinions, tastes, likes, etc.
Here are the Prog Archives ratings for all 24 YES full studio albums (I'm including ABWH and KeyStudio).
1. Close To The Edge 4.68
2. Fragile 4.46
3. Relayer 4.38
4. The YES Album 4.32
5 Going For The One 4.06
6. Tales From Topographic Oceans 3.92
7. Drama 3.77
8. Magnification 3.73
9. KeyStudio 3.59
10. Fly From Here 3.42
11. Mirror To The Sky 3.39
12. Time And A Word 3.35
13. YES 3.29
14. The Ladder 3.27
15. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe 3.21
16. Fly From Here Return Trip 3.19
17. Talk 3.08
18. 90125 3.05
19. Tormato 3.01
20. The Quest 2.89
21. Big Generator 2.57
22. Union 2.52
23. Heaven & Earth 2.30
24. Open Your Eyes 2.06
It would be too difficult to rank my top three YES albums, but for ME.........
.....if YES albums were women, the one I would marry is Close To The Edge (she's perfect). If Close To The Edge died and left me to be a widower, I'd get remarried to Drama. Before getting married, I would definitely date pretty much all the other YES albums (some more than others, of course). The one I would want to be seen with in public would be Relayer. The date which was a load of fun, but my friends questioned/warned me about is Tormato (I almost got engaged to her, though, and to be honest, I still think about her from time to time - sorry, but I just can't stop even though I know she would have been no good for me and probably would have broken my heart and left me for another dude).
There are a couple YES albums which aren't long-term dating material to me: Union/"Onion" was the first YES album to truly disappoint me, like if your date farted loudly and belched her liverwurst sandwich she had for lunch in your mouth during your first kiss (and you discovered she didn't brush her teeth). Ironically, the YES-West songs were actually better on Onion than the YES-proper songs, but that doesn't save her since she has poor hygiene. The other album which is not long-term dating material is Heaven & Earth (I loved "Believe Again" and "Subway Walls", which means I loved her hair and her shoes, but alas, the rest of her body, mind, and personality put me to sleep (and not in a good way).
Additionally and lastly, Open Your Eyes was actually a fun date. It's just that we weren't the same religion.
Posted By: Starshiper
Date Posted: September 08 2024 at 18:32
AJ
Junior wrote:
No Fragile up there is criminal.
It's not, because Fragile falls just a bit enough due to the band members' solo tracks.
Aren't those solo tracks sound dated today? Indeed, given the presence
of Rick Wakeman and the artwork by Roger Dean, "Fragile" might be a
better 1971 album than TYA, but only if a full-band song had been added
instead of letting each member create an unneeded, self-indulgent solo
tune. However, this isn't how it works, so I therefore support that
assumption of TYA-CttE-GftO as the best three Yes albums.
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: September 08 2024 at 18:34
I'll be honest. I never thought of those solo tracks as bad (still don't actually) until I saw people post about them online and how they bring Fragile down. Yet, nobody says "clap"(yes, there's no "the" in the actual title) and "a venture" bring down TYA. Go figure.
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 00:15
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
I'll be honest. I never thought of those solo tracks as bad (still don't actually) until I saw people post about them online and how they bring Fragile down. Yet, nobody says "clap"(yes, there's no "the" in the actual title) and "a venture" bring down TYA. Go figure.
I was one that complained about Fragile and the short songs. For me, those short bits break the flow of the album. Those two short ones on TYA do not do that.
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 05:15
Starshiper wrote:
AJ Junior wrote:
No Fragile up there is criminal.
It's not, because Fragile falls just a bit enough due to the band members' solo tracks. Aren't those solo tracks sound dated today? Indeed, given the presence of Rick Wakeman and the artwork by Roger Dean, "Fragile" might be a better 1971 album than TYA, but only if a full-band song had been added instead of letting each member create an unneeded, self-indulgent solo tune.
I tend to agree - for my digital playlist of Fragile those 5 short solo tracks have been discarded, and I've tacked on 'America' which was recorded around the time Fragile was being recorded, but was given away for an Atlantic sampler album, tho it now is included as a bonus track on the more recent CD re-releases.
For me this makes for a more satisfying listen, and I'd recommend anyone give it a try.
------------- 'We're going to need a bigger swear jar.'
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 10:14
Well, I hate to break it to you but you guys are in the minority. ;) http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=131924&KW=Fragile" rel="nofollow - https://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=131924&KW=Fragile
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 10:22
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
Well, I hate to break it to you but you guys are in the minority. ;) https://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=131924&KW=Fragile" rel="nofollow - https://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=131924&KW=Fragile
No problem.
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 10:59
It appears the OP checked out. Is one post all the Yesster will share?
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 11:43
It may seem so, but I can tell that The Album and CttE are my Yes fond-ofs while I find Fragile overrated.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 11:51
Grumpyprogfan wrote:
It appears the OP checked out. Is one post all the Yesster will share?
It looks that way. He joined on August 27th and his last visit was on August 27th.
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 12:22
Fragile
CTTE
Relayer
-------------
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 13:58
Psychedelic Paul wrote:
Grumpyprogfan wrote:
It appears the OP checked out. Is one post all the Yesster will share?
It looks that way. He joined on August 27th and his last visit was on August 27th.
I don't understand how a newbie can start a new thread when PA rules state otherwise. "Poll creation and voting is only available to forum members with higher ranks than Newbie."
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 15:07
Grumpyprogfan wrote:
Psychedelic Paul wrote:
Grumpyprogfan wrote:
It appears the OP checked out. Is one post all the Yesster will share?
It looks that way. He joined on August 27th and his last visit was on August 27th.
I don't understand how a newbie can start a new thread when PA rules state otherwise. "Poll creation and voting is only available to forum members with higher ranks than Newbie."
The information quoted above about polls refers to a forum function and setting. Newbies can create new topics, and can ask questions, but they can't make topics with the poll functions of this site. That ability is disabled by the site settings for ones with newbie status.. Like where there are a maximum of 25 options and users can vote by clicking on an option or options. This topic does not have those poll options. Of course there is more than one way to create a poll, but that was written considerable years ago about restrictions on particular forum functionality.
------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 15:21
Grumpyprogfan wrote:
I don't understand how a newbie can start a new thread when PA rules state otherwise. "Poll creation and voting is only available to forum members with higher ranks than Newbie."
Anyway, it seems to be a quite experienced Newbie.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Posted By: Awesoreno
Date Posted: September 09 2024 at 22:33
Every time I'm tempted to think that Fragile is bogged down by the solo pieces I think "Oh except for Mood for a Day, that one's really nice... and I guess The Fish is cool too, nice jam... and as short as Five Per Cent for Nothing is, it's still interesting and I dig it... and I guess We Have Heaven is actually sort of pleasant... but other than THOSE ones, I dislike the all solo tracks... wait..."
Guess it's just the Wakeman cover that isn't very stimulating.
Posted By: Droxford
Date Posted: September 10 2024 at 12:33
I am never sure about 'best' but my personal favourites:
Close to the Edge
Going for the One.
Relayer
Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: September 12 2024 at 07:07
Tales From Topographic Oceans
Close To The Edge
Fragile
------------- The Prog Corner
Posted By: Octopus II
Date Posted: September 12 2024 at 09:29
Close to the Edge
Going for the One.
Relayer
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: September 12 2024 at 10:37
Lewian wrote:
I think Relayer, Relayer, Relayer... (but would probably rank the three you mention 4, 2, and 3).
Or actually, Yessongs beats them all but maybe doesn't count.
I agree.
For my tastes, Relayer is their best album - And their live is wonderful.
1) Relayer
2) CTTE
and for the third place,
Fragile,
GFTO
and
90125... which one?
Yes album is good, very pretty but naive.
------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion.
Posted By: TheLionOfPrague
Date Posted: September 13 2024 at 17:42
1- Close to the Edge
2- Relayer
3- Fragile
Those are the best 3. Then you havee the rest of that period (TFTO, TYA, GFTO).
------------- I shook my head and smiled a whisper knowing all about the place
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 15 2024 at 17:45
1. Close to the Edge
2. Relayer
3. Going For The One
4. Tales
5. Fragile
6. The Yes Album
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: September 15 2024 at 18:22
cstack3 wrote:
1. Close to the Edge
2. Relayer
3. Going For The One
4. Tales
5. Fragile
6. The Yes Album
You really can't go wrong with any of those. My order of preference would be different but it would still be those six albums. For me my order would pbably be something like Relayer, CTTE, Fragile, TFTO, TYA and GFTO.
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: September 15 2024 at 20:08
I prophesy disaster wrote:
1. Close to the Edge
2. Fragile
3. Relayer
This would be followed by Tormato, Going For The One, and 90125 (in no particular order) because I'm much more familiar with these than I am with The Yes Album, Drama, Tales From Topographic Oceans, and Big Generator (the lack of familiarity possibly an indication of a lack of genuine lasting appeal).
------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man.
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 21 2024 at 06:00
David_D wrote:
It may seem so, but I can tell that The Album and CttE are my Yes fond-ofs while I find Fragile overrated.
Today, I say (in chronological order):
The Album
Fragile
CttE
as after new listenings to Fragile, it has clicked for me with this album, so I even like a lot the shhh! vocals.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Posted By: kirk782
Date Posted: September 22 2024 at 22:39
I go with a much trivial structure. I once went through their discography linearly back in the day and while some albums stuck out, three back to back [Yes Album, Fragile, Close To the Edge] remained on rotation for me. Sure, some others like 'Relayer' or even 'Drama', I like; but none come close.
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 22 2024 at 22:51
^ sure they are the so called 'Holy Trinity' of the Yes catalogue and the point where they rose to upsurp ELP and others to become the premier prog band on the planet.
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 12:50
How about the UNHOLY TRINITY??
Big Generator
Fly From Here
Heaven & Earth
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 12:56
cstack3 wrote:
How about the UNHOLY TRINITY??
Big Generator
Fly From Here
Heaven & Earth
Replace Fly From Here (which is not perfect, but still very underrated) with Union or Open Your Eyes!
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 12:56
cstack3 wrote:
How about the UNHOLY TRINITY??
Big Generator
Fly From Here
Heaven & Earth
Big Generator does not belong with those IMO, Open Your Eyes is much much worse. Even Union.
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 14:12
Cristi wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
How about the UNHOLY TRINITY??
Big Generator
Fly From Here
Heaven & Earth
Big Generator does not belong with those IMO, Open Your Eyes is much much worse. Even Union.
Yep. Big Generator definitely does not belong with those. I agree. Open Your Eyes should be in the bottom three. Union I kind of like though. FFH doesn't belong either actually. Maybe The Quest should be in there.
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 15:12
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
Cristi wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
How about the UNHOLY TRINITY??
Big Generator
Fly From Here
Heaven & Earth
Big Generator does not belong with those IMO, Open Your Eyes is much much worse. Even Union.
Yep. Big Generator definitely does not belong with those. I agree. Open Your Eyes should be in the bottom three. Union I kind of like though. FFH doesn't belong either actually. Maybe The Quest should be in there.
Well, I don't like any post Magnification albums they did.
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 15:17
^ I like ALL of the post-Magnification albums they did.
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 18:09
cstack3 wrote:
How about the UNHOLY TRINITY??
Big Generator
Fly From Here
Heaven & Earth
Actually, it should be
Fly from Here Heaven & Earth The Quest
Compared to those, Big Generator is Time and a Word.
Posted By: kirk782
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 20:56
How bad can Big Generator be? I have forgotten any memories associated with this album, so I think I need to listen to it again.
Edit: Okay, it was bland and boring. By the second half of the album, I couldn't care anymore about it.
Posted By: Big Sky
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 21:12
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
Cristi wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
How about the UNHOLY TRINITY??
Big Generator
Fly From Here
Heaven & Earth
Big Generator does not belong with those IMO, Open Your Eyes is much much worse. Even Union.
Yep. Big Generator definitely does not belong with those. I agree. Open Your Eyes should be in the bottom three. Union I kind of like though. FFH doesn't belong either actually. Maybe The Quest should be in there.
Agreed. Big Generator is an OK album. I'm Running and Shoot High Aim Low are good tracks. Open Your Eyes, which was never supposed to be a Yes album, it was a Squier and Sherwood project, became a Yes album because of management. It's a bad album. Heaven and Earth I have heard once and have no desire to hear again.
Union has some pretty good tracks. The problem is that it ended up being an Anderson and Elias project that was pushed through by having every session musician in LA play on it when various Yes members were unavailable ( some of whom were not totally committed to a Yes Union). Wakeman calling it the "Onion" album did not help. Not a good album, but hardly A bad one either. Great tour though.
Posted By: kirk782
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 22:33
Open Your Eyes, which was never supposed to be a Yes album, it was a
Squier and Sherwood project, became a Yes album because of management.
Did Yes really degrade as band from the late 80s onwards? Open your Eyes is also very nauseating. I think Drama was the last great album from them [though technically I have still couple of their later day albums to listen to; but I don't have high hopes anymore].
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 23:05
kirk782 wrote:
Open Your Eyes, which was never supposed to be a Yes album, it was a
Squier and Sherwood project, became a Yes album because of management.
Did Yes really degrade as band from the late 80s onwards? Open your Eyes is also very nauseating. I think Drama was the last great album from them [though technically I have still couple of their later day albums to listen to; but I don't have high hopes anymore].
Agreed. Yes (like Genesis) were mostly great until 1980 then after it would be too kind to say their output was patchy. At least Genesis came to a screaching halt with Calling All Stations. Yes continued onwards, sideways and eventually downwards. Great to see them touring but after Yes Symphonic they could have safely called it a day IMO.
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: October 01 2024 at 07:30
Awesoreno wrote:
Every time I'm tempted to think that Fragile is bogged down by the solo pieces I think "Oh except for Mood for a Day, that one's really nice... and I guess The Fish is cool too, nice jam... and as short as Five Per Cent for Nothing is, it's still interesting and I dig it... and I guess We Have Heaven is actually sort of pleasant... but other than THOSE ones, I dislike the all solo tracks... wait..."
Guess it's just the Wakeman cover that isn't very stimulating.
To me, the most important is how the album works as a whole, and roughly speaking, I find the more experimenting and non-rockish solo tracks to be very good contrast to the more melodic and rocky group compositions. They make the album as a whole more interesting and to me, there's still a very good flow the whole way through. So yes, today, after new listenings to Fragile, it's definitely one of my favourite three Yes albums.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: October 01 2024 at 17:37