THE YES ALBUM

Yes

Symphonic Prog

4.32 | 3365 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

This is probably my favorite Yes, but you really can't go wrong with any of their albums released between, but it's a tough call between Fragile, Close to the Edge and Relayer.

The thing I like most about this album is it's mood. No other album can put me in such a good mood. Right from the beginning, with the song 'Yours is No Disgrace' I feel a sense of elation at great music. The music is happy, but still hard hitting and in no way a cheesy kind of happy. It only gets better from there, after an excellent rendition of the virtuosic playing of Mr. Steve Howe with Clap, who really became the melodic mastermind of Yes when he came in. This was indeed the first Yes album featuring Steve Howe and you can definitely hear an improvement, despite the fact that their first two albums were great in their own right.

I think the album hits its highest point with Starship Trooper. This is the definitive Yes song in my opinion. Excellent playing, excellent composing, excellent melodies. It's also their happiest and most uplifting song. I don't think any other song puts me in as good a mood. The song never ceases to amaze me, particularly when Steve Howe breaks into the acoustic Disillusion section, with Jon Anderson and Chris Squire singing sections of one of their older songs, For Everyone. But it only gets better, the Wurm section is mostly instrumental, and is basically four repetiitive chords that slowly build for several minutes into a blistering and unforgettable guitar solo. This is the starship (or perhaps airship) taking off.

The second side, admittedly is not as strong as the first, but still excellent in its own right. I've Seen All Good People is a great song, and their first big hit. A Venture is another great song, but probably the most forgettable of the ones on this album. Perpetual Change is another excellent epic, although I never thought the studio version did it much justice. A better version is available on Yessongs.

The title of this album is very fitting. this is THE Yes album, because it was the one that really defined their sound. As their name implies, Yes is a very positive sounding band.

Gianthogweed | 5/5 | 2006-2-4

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