TORMATO

After the magnificent Going for The One and their subsequent successful tour, it seemed that the band was taking a new momentum, and with the most representative lineup of their flagship records (except for the Bruford / White alternation on percussion), there were expectations about what that Tormato, their ninth album, could contribute to the group's legendary discography.

And in my opinion the work was controversial to say the least, starting with the short length of the themes, something that had not happened since the distant Time and a Word of 1970 when Yes had not yet defined its course. On the other hand, also the absence of a central conceptual theme that gives it a sense of structure played against it and, most importantly, the mutation of the classic progressive to which we were accustomed towards a more domesticated and digestible proposal, would end up marking his destiny as the beginning of the end of the purest essence of Yes.

Tormato combines songs of great dynamics, such as the initials Future Times / Rejoice, two songs that do not pause between them, the rocker Release, Release, the bizarre Arriving UFO, or the longest song on the album, On the Silent Wing Of Freedom , with more calm and reflective moments, such as the beautiful Madrigal (I have always enjoyed the Anderson / Wakeman duets and the guitar brushstrokes of Howe accompanying them, naked almost in instrumental clothing), the childish and fun Circus Of Heaven, or the delicate ballad Onward, and there is even room to make a statement in defense of nature with Don't Kill The Whale.

However, the feeling of being in front of themes that don't go beyond the predictable, haunts the entire development of the album. The quality and virtuosity of the musicians take the compositions to the best possible destination, and at times they make them stand out, but there is no longer that sensitivity, depth and magic that were the band's trademark.

Tormato is the turning point of Yes, after which they would tend to travel less stony and complex roads, and closer to the rock standard that would be common currency in the eighties.