THE YES ALBUM

A great album, and the beginning of an era. The Yes Album sees the introduction of Steve Howe to the band, Peter Banks was adequate, and quite good, but this line-up change turned out to be a turning point in progressive rock history. Howe gave a complete new face to the sound of Yes, providing more complex and technicallity to the sound. Songwriting and arranging have improved, and the production is far superior compared to their earlier recordings. (compared to their later work it is still a bit lacking though).

Steve's guitar is prominent throughout the album, with a lot of soloing, with accoustic and electric guitars. Of course Chris's basslines are again powerfull, and provides a great solid rock foundation to the music. Bill's drumming can't be faulted, soft and delicate where required, and upfront and loud when needed. Tony Kaye gives his best performance to date, with some rock and roll rhythmics in the piano parts, this is his last album with Yes, until 90125. Singing is good too.

1. Yours Is No Disgrace (9:36) Yes collectively build a complex texture, using quite simple melodie lines, for each individual instrument, a very rhythmic sonic experience. Great song and a brilliant opener. 2. The Clap (3:07) Fabulous accoustic guitar solo from Steve (the title does not refer to a venereal disease BTW), great fun. 3. Starship Trooper: Life Seeker / Disillusion/Würm (9:23) Great great song, fabulous bassplay, rhytmic guitar and drums build up the first part of the song, with a spacier melodic midsection and finally Würm, the most hypnotising repetetive guitar parts, slowely building up, towards a more heavy energetic rock, without really changing much in the notes/chords being played, but the intensity of the arrangement changes, almost fluidic.

4. I've Seen All Good People: Your Move / All... (6:47) A soft magical melodic opening, with Jon's vocal central and some fine melodic keyboards (flute-like), turning into a Rock & Roll song. Great well-known song. 5. A Venture (3:13) Great melodic short song, with great piano, I like this song very much, great fun. 6. Perpetual Change (8:50) Heavy symphonic piece, with intricate guitarplay, great basslines, alternating soft atmospherics, with more heavy pieces. A great song.

The Yes Album is a definitive must have for all proggresive rockers, if alone because of the brilliant Starship Trooper. All songs are greatly composed, and the album has a consistent sound throughout. This is the transition album, changing from the more psychedelic- symphonic rock of their first two albums to the more epic phase that started with this album.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED