DRAMA

I think Drama is a very underrated album; people say Trevor Horn and Geoffrey Downes didn't really fit in, but I beg to differ. I think Horn's vocals lend very well to the material, and Downes' keyboards sound excellent throughout. Sure, he's no Rick Wakeman, but he still is an excellent player. The songs are well structured and well performed, with 'Machine Messiah' being the highlight. I think this album really gives Chris Squire his chance to shine; in tracks like 'Tempus Fugit' and 'Does It Really Happen?' he has some excellent bass work. On 'DITRH?' Squire really takes centre stage; the last section of the song is pretty much a bass solo. Also, Howe does very well on this album, especially on 'Machine Messiah'. I think this album is different from earlier Yes but will still be enjoyed by fans of Fragile, Relayer et al. It did represent a transition period for Yes, but I think they pulled it off with aplomb. There isn't a weak track on this album (only 'White Car' is a little below the high standard you would expect) and overall all the members give excellent performances throughout. I think this isn't as good as Fragile, but it is still worth buying.

4 Stars.