DRAMA

With Tormato, Yes had turned up a blind alley - as much as Going for the One was a rebirth, really. I remember reading about Anderson and Wakeman leaving/being thrown out (whichever), and the very strange move of Squire to recruit Horn and Downes. 'Video killed the radio star' had been on TOTP a bit not that long before, and I thought 'OK. Let's see what happens now'.

Oh boy, was it a disaster. Yes, and I seem to be in a minority for this. The bottom line is that Anderson's vocals and voice have always been a major part of the Yes sound. As much as Squire's bass. That's what kills this offering for me. Horn just does not cut it at all. Don't get me wrong on the guy - his production on 90125 is excellent - but I remember the concert reviews after Drama, where he simply couldn't hit the notes, and his voice tired.

You can always listen to this for a prelude of what Downes would do for Asia, but this is really not a 'Yes' album.