DRAMA

Probably the most controversial Yes album. No Anderson or Wakeman/Banks/Moraz. But this album is still huge. I gotta believe that Squire was so intent on making this particular ensemble work that he had to be obsessed. His bass just rages through the whole album and White is in good form too. And if anyone was going to be a replacement for Anderson, Trevor Horn would be about as good as you are going to get. This is a powerful record and a huge step forward in quality and bombasm from the subdued Tormato. Howe's guitar is as in your face as you will see on a Yes album.

The choice is yours. You can be a Yes purist/snob and dismiss this one at your own loss. Or you can take it for what it is and that is a fine album that I have no problem putting next to the other classics by the band. I won't give it a five, but it is pretty darn close.