TIME AND A WORD

1. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (9.5/10) 2. Then (10/10) 3. Everydays (10/10) 4. Sweet Dreams (7.5/10) 5. The Prophet (9/10) 6. Clear Days (8/10) 7. Astral Traveller (9.5/10) 8. Time and a Word (9/10)

Yes has now added an orchestra to the lineup (for an album), and has in my opinion became the signature Yes force in composition and musicianship. The orchestra addition to the album nearly all of the time sounds great, and the interplay between the musicians in Yes is now incredible, Peter Banks playing surprisingly well, as well as Tony Kaye, now giving you the idea that Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman had big shoes to fill, also Chris Squire and Bill Bruford are amazing throughout the album. The instrumental breaks and solo opportunities are so distinct from the album and awesome, that the album is breathtaking. Even the slower songs can rival tracks like "Survival". The entire band has stepped up and the songs are very solid. I think this album is essential because it's the first Yes album to drop your jaw, and an incredible stepup from the first album. Also, songs like Everydays and Then are among Yes' best, the former having an incredible second half, foreshadowing The Mars Volta by decades.

Reviewer's tilt: (9.5/10)

Overall score: 9.1 out of 10 or 4.5 stars (rounded to 5)