TORMATO

This remains my favourite Yes album. The arrangements are driven by Alan's drumming (his best ever?) and Rick's harmonised bass sounds, while Rick and Steve are often playing against each other. The result is a sound in which there are very talented musicians vying for attention and space, making the whole approach much more avant garde than most Yes music, and much more akin to jazz. The songs themselves seem to be trying to be conventional in structure, but don't manage it - there's just too much going on. Even so, they are strong enough to hold the music together. I can see why not everyone likes this one, but the overall effect is exhilerating. Not to be missed.