TORMATO

Probably the most unapreciated Yes album of the classic period. Post going for the one, everyone in Yes is ready for a break, wants to make a solo album, or needs to tend to a family. They went on and made Tormato anyway's, not a bad album, but apparently Yes thought so, Wakeman, and founder Jon Anderson left after the albums tour.

As for the musical aspect, it's quite good, Howe is experimenting with many different guitars and different distortions. Squire is going back to his old style, with a wah wah peddle and his typical rythmic playing with the squire rickenbacker sound. There, however is a bad side to the music. Alan White unfortunately, is sticking with what he did on Going for the one, and is strictly playing o fill's, and nothing that sticks out, which is completely controdicory of his performance on Relayer. Rick Wakeman is at his altime worse, playing the same keyboard patch the whole time, playing a twinkly little synthesized sound, nothing else.

The opener Future times/Rejoice is one of the best songs, with amazing guitar that sounds a bit fruity, but amazing none the less, and of course Jon's voice sounds amazing as usual. Followed by probably the greatest song, dont kill the whale, which is Yes' most straight forward song from a lyrical perspective, and with Howe's most straight forward guitar solo which is excellent as well! Beyond those two song's the album meander's with some songs like the mid evil Madrigal, with nice vocals and lyrics, and Release release a steady rocker, but lacks the gates of delirium kind of power to really impress me. Then there's Arriving UFO, with some interesting keyboards, but everything else is dull and boring, even the lyrics, which are above par for normal Yes lyrics are very lame. Circus of Heaven confuses me, Yes is a band that perfors to an audience that is 90% men, then they make this song, a pretty little song with only keyboards and vocals, my thirteen year old sister thinks this song is cute, there must be something wrong. Onward is Beautiful, easily squires best song lyrically, and Jon just sings his heart out to a very interesting electric guitar, if you want an even better version, get keys to ascension! On the silent wings of freedom is another excellent track with some amazing bass and guitar work, the only thing keeeping this song from being the best on the album is wakeman's keyboard.

Not a bad album, I would have to say that Jon and Steve are the two who really stick out more than the others. Jon's performance on future times and onward are very heart felt and move with the music, more than fight it with different timing and stops. Steves speed is phenominal on the silent wings of freedom, the little fills hitting fifteen notes a second (exateration), are cool enough to make satriani jealous. But there is lack of inspiration and new and exciting material to make this album very well loved. Actually it might just be the lack of energy, which Jon Andreson says was a major factor in the creation of this album. Either way, if you are a major Yes fan, this may diapoint you a bit, I like it, because I think a bit of change for a band is goos, but I dont like it to the exctent of giving anything over...

3***