GOING FOR THE ONE

This album is incredibly hard to rate. There are 5 tracks. Three of which deserve 5 stars. One of which deserves an accolade on its own as one of Yes's greatest songs. However, two tracks, whilst not being bad songs, move drastically from the music they had been making on their previous few albums toward commercialism. And by this I don't mean because of their length. I place 'wonderous stories' among the 3 greats of the album. 'Turn of the Century' is an amazing track filled with emotion, and 'Awaken' is quite often cited as Yes's most completed work. It contains one of the most amazing guitar riffs I've ever heard courtesy of Steve Howe, and a middle section that is clearly the highlight of the track, where Rick Wakeman gives some of his very best keyboard work. Brilliant album unfortunately brought down a little by two less accomplished songs, but is easily redeemed by its other pieces.

4 stars.