THE YES ALBUM

Initially I thought it was too raw and too lacking in Wakeman keyboard theatrics. These factors, now, seem to be advantages. The "raw" feel makes the songs seem more honest; Kaye's organ simply GRINDS, proving that many times "less" is more.

"Yours is No Disgrace" is something of an anthem to me. The bass guitar riff seems to speak of such affirmation, well, just look at the band's name. The song isn't as classically-inflected as later Wakeman works, but the jazzy feel that pervades is a wonderful alternative.

"Clap" is a wonderful Howe guitar-picking instrumental, taken from a live tape. Impressive, to say the least, and good fun.

"Starship Trooper" is another 5-star work and personal anthem. I get chills at the final instrumental buildup - simply transcendental, as are all great Yes songs.

"I've Seen All Good People" achieves similar heights, but with more modest means and a more folk/pop-rooted construction. I've yelled this one at the top of my lungs while driving, a self-conscious anthem for the redemption of everyone, or something similar. In any case, it gets rockin' at the end.

I like "A Venture," but it is, sadly, rather lackluster. I hate to admit this.

"Perpetual Change" doesn't quite make it for me - it has very cool parts, like the hard-panned 7/4 instrumental midsection, but it comes out to be somehow less that the sum of said parts.

Share this YES review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to penguindf12
• Report this review (#12851)
• Buy YES music online with PA partners
• Show all YES MP3/Stream
• Go to YES page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to The Yes Album page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for YES related discussions