TORMATO

What hapened to MyYes ? The lineup is the same as for GFTO but there are no comparison between albums. Format of the songs is extremely shorter than usual. As for Genesis, I made a huge break from 1978 and 1999. I purchase their second part of their catalogue since then. This was my first one (together with "Drama"). The good opener "Future Times - Rejoice" is a standard YesClassic song : brilliant Howe, great Anderson and solid rythmics. The track could have been developped a bit longer, but with this album, we are far from the lenghty YesCompostions. Their ecological and commercial "Don't Kill The Whale" is aslo a pleasant song. It is their first "political" song. This song anounces the forthcoming Yes ("Owner"...). "Madrigal" is a short and sweet little ballad. A marvel of a YesMelody. "Release, Release" is quite rocky and melodious : the ryhtm being similar to the one of "Parallels" there's even a short drum solo in the middle. It's a good way to close side one.

"Arriving UFO" is the weakest track so far : it is inconsistent, jumps from one theme to another without anything to link them. It is like a kaleidoscope of several instrumental and uninspired pieces. Very poor. "Circus Of Heaven" is an accoustic track, but lacks in harmonies. It sounds real bad. "Onwards" is a magnificent YesBallad : wonderful melody, very emotional Jon, discreet piano/keyboard (this is general to this album : Rick is not very present). It reminds me of "Wonderous Stories" or "Soon" from earlier works but less imposing. "On The Silent Wings Of Freedom" is a vigourous YesTrack, but it is way too speedy. It is the longest song of the album. The intro lasts for about 2'30" and is quite repetitive (as the whole song). It lacks desperately in good vocal harmonies. The more the track advances, the more boring it is. IMO, it sounds as a demo track : jam like session leading nowhere.

There is a remastered and expanded version for "Tormato" : NINE songs for almost 35 additional minutes (almost double the original album). "Abilene" is a nice rock ballad with good guitar in the background. Vocal are smooth and harmonious. It could have replaced some of the poor tracks of the album. A good bonus track. "Money" is a jazzy and useless tune (even as a bonus). "Picasso" and "You Can Be Saved" are mellow tracks with little interest : no feeling and tasteless. "Some Are Born" is good, could have made the album : nice harmony combinations (Howe and Anderson), intrumental parts are not really structured but maybe it is due to the fact that the song was rejected quite soon ... "High" is another good bonus, it should have deserved a bit more attention to make it a decent album track. "Days" is a "solo" vocal from Jon (it lasts for only 58 seconds, hopefully !). "Countryside" is an accoustic / folk tune quite dispensable. "Everybody's Song" intro starts with the typical YesHowe sound and one thinks: hey, maybe a lost jewel ... Well after forty seconds you know that it is not a jewel. This quite lenghty song (over 6'30) is bass oriented and rather dull. Have a listen and you'll understand why it didn't make the album. It is one of their weakest effort so far (on par with "Time & A Word"). Unfortunately, the worst is to to come. Two stars.