THE YES ALBUM

This is where all the pieces come together-- from the songwriting to the instrumental virtuosity-- to create the first truly essential album, and one of their most energetic and exciting.

Howe's immense contribution to the band's sound aside, The Yes Album is a stellar showcase of the band's focused progressive sound, featuring some fantastically deep and memorable songs with outstanding performances from all members. The rise in quality (across the board) is very evident from their 2 previous albums, and although Howe's debut may steal the show I can guarantee that listeners will find themselves grooving to Squire's awesome bass just as much.

The opener blows away most of their contemporaries work with its shows of lightning dexterity, and the album itself generates undeniable likeability-- while retaining its ambitiousness-- which is something I never felt that the other prog-fathers could manage. There is powerful music here, true to its rock roots while embracing and striving for something more.

The Yes Album is the perfect place to begin listening to the outstanding classical period of this group's work, and is a milestone in the genre for its stellar songs and memorable performances.

Songwriting: 5 Instrumental Performances: 4 Lyrics/Vocals: 4 Style/Emotion/Replay: 5