TORMATO

Tormato is the best album Yes have recorded in my opinion. After more than 30 years I still listen to it regularly. It is all fresh material, each track being a gem on its own. The mood is distinctly positive, starting with Future Times/Rejoice, a nice play with 4/4 and 3/4 time signatures based on a common pulse for both songs. This is followed by the hit single Don't Kill The Whale, which captured some rare mass appeal in the charts. Madrigal takes down the pace with a sparse arrangement between Anderson's vocals and sophisticated yet very engaging classical accompaniment. A highlight for music lovers with open minds. "Side one" ends with the intense rock song Release, Release, featuring Alan White and strong vocal lines.

"Side two" starts with a puzzling mood change in "Arriving UFO", a perfect spot for this slightly weird composition. It is followed by Circus Of Heaven, featuring pleasant melodies for a tale of nostalgia and family life. Onward, like Madrigal, must be counted as one of the most stunning and unusual arrangements for a rock band to record, breaking down musical boundaries. The album ends with On The Silent Wings Of Freedom, a wall of dense performance from all band members, leaving a high spirit. Overall, the sound of Tormato is unique among Yes albums. It marks the peak of Yes music.