TIME AND A WORD

This album was a step toward the prog rock giant that Yes was to become. The songs are a bit more symphonic sounding than on the previos album, and a little more adventurous. It's not surprising that guitarist Peter Banks was gone after this album. At many times, his playing seems superfluous, at other times, almost nonexistant.

While this album was recorded with an orchestra, the arrangement does not overpower the rock band. Tony Cox apparently had the good sense to just use the orchestra to strengthen the sound (something the broadend keyboards of Tony Kaye, and later the addition of Rick Wakeman would render unnecessary).

The songs are slightly more complex than on the debut album, but have yet to reach the complexity that "The Yes Album" would introduce to their sound. But still, as an early prog release, it begins to show the bands potential.

I find myself particularly drawn back to Everydays, a Stephen Stills song that Yes plays with a very jazzy flair. It's the only song I've heard where Yes reminds me of The Nice.

3.5 stars