THE YES ALBUM

The first Yes album of all-original material was 'The Yes Album' from 1971, a record that despite its confusing cover photograph, depicts one of progressive rock's legendary bands at the genesis of their creative uprising, with an extremely adventurous release packed with classic Yes tracks, and one that allowed them to begin to craft a unique musical identity and to experiment with sounds and techniques, all while preserving the essential (and quite enjoyable) key ingredients of early Yes - the majestic vocal harmonies, the textured, warm bass playing and the charmingly exploratory spirit of early progressive rock, always very uplifting and hypnotic.

An important album in the Yes catalogue, being the first one with Steve Howe and last one (until the 1980s) with Tony Kaye - both of whom do add their unique flavors to the very joyous yet complex music on 'TYA', perhaps not as lush as the albums that would come later but incredibly mature and occasionally quite challenging, certainly Yes had crafted a tremendous blend of symphonic rock with pop and psychedelic influences, topped by the otherworldly vocals of Jon Anderson and his imaginative lyrics. The music is complex yet enjoyable and splendid, uniquely combining a sense of freedom and an aspect of virtuosity that would be developed even further on later releases. There is only a hint of the musical pomp that Yes is now recognized for - just hear the splendid sounds of 'Yours Is No Disgrace' or 'I've Seen All Good People', classic tracks on a classic album.