THE YES ALBUM

This is Steve Howe's album. He is the main man on this album, providing us with great sonic varieties. One one side we have twangy nashville-influenced tele, on the other the smooth jazzy sound of a hollowbody. In addition to that, he plays acoustic guitar and mandolin! So if you are a guitar person get the Yes album before any other Yes album! Tony Kaye is a very tasteful keyboard player who stays in the background the most part, unlike his successor who would hog all the space on later albums. The opening song starts with a proto AC/DC riff, and continues with guitar mastery by Mr. Howe. It also features great vocal harmonies as is common with yes. The next piece is "The Clap", a live solo by Mr. Howe, which shows just how versatile the man is. Great dynamics and control on his acoustic, without losing any edge. Starship Trooper has been a live staple and a fan favorite for ever, while I've Seen all Good People was their first major hit, and it singlehandedly inspired bands like the Flower Kings to make fluff. A Venture is the only filler track on this album, but it is still quite listenable. A Perpetual Change is definitely a classic Yes song, in league with their best works, and it seems to be unfairly overlooked! The Bonus tracks are just radio edits of the two well known songs, plus a studio version of "The Clap", which is quite worthy hearing. IMO, this was a unique album for Yes, as it saw the band in transition from a post-psychedelic band to a full blown-prog band with all the individual egos - and for my taste this was really the perfect Yes!