GOING FOR THE ONE

Yes' comeback album saw Wakeman back into the fold (although during the recording sessions he was officially just a supporting guest): with White solidly established as the basic nucleus of the band's rhythm section, the set was prepared for a new catalogue of energetic symphonic prog numbers. Indeed, the new repertoire feels much more fresh and exciting after the extreme density that had been delivered in their two previous studio efforts "Tales" and "Relayer". This sense of renewed excitement is clearly expressed in the opening title track and the third one, 'Parallels'. The former is an uplifting rocker, featuring Howe's amazing travels in a steel guitar roller coaster; the latter is a funky-based rocker, where Wakeman's pipe organ flows naturally over the dynamically driven rhythm section, in perfect complementation with Howe's guitar expanding leads. On the other side of things, Yes shows the listener that they can also return to the classic and/or folk inspired moments of serenity and introspectiveness with that typical touch of distinction we missed since the late 71-early 73 era. 'Turn of the Century' is a most beautiful, compelling piece, where Howe's acoustic and electric guitar parts find a perfect counterpart in Wakeman's keyboard orchestrations and piano phrases, while Squire acts as a solid partner and White's varied percussions enhance the orchestral feel founded by Wakeman; meanwhile, Anderson sings a tale of love overcoming death and sanity as if he were possessed by the goddess of love and the muses and taken to a state of deep emotional elation toward a realm that lies beyond human understanding. Irresistible! Later on, another tale comes, this time about a story teller precisely: 'Wondrous Stories' is a showcase of how a simple Anderson written musical idea can be turned into a progressive wonder when Howe's vacchalia, Wakeman's Poly Moog layers, and the skilled rhythm duet add their talents to the final arrangements. But the album's apex is the awesome 'Awaken', a musical mystic tour designed to leave the listener moved beyond words. Many yes and prog rock fans regard this piece as the most brilliant in yes' entire repertoire, and arguably they might be absolutely right. This 15+ minute suite is a real treat for our stream of consciousness: the lyrics and successive musical motifs help to ordain and integrate it under a challenging frame, and also help to release it for a free conquest of new ideas and emotions. Not only is the song itself an absolute prog classic, but also there are some specific cornerstone moments in it: the prologue theme later reprised in the epilogue, the almost tribal section cleverly seasoned with exotic chanting and percussives (a heritage from the "Relayer" days), the harp/church organ interlude, the climatic "Master of images" section. each of them a brilliant portion of a brilliant whole. The same thing goes for the album regarded as an entirety: "Going for the One" is a stunning work full of stunning individual items - 5 stars!