Line up: Chris Squire: Bass
Jon Anderson: Vocals
Bill Bruford: Drums
Steve Howe: Guitar
Tony Kaye: Keyboard
Three albums into their career, Yes finally reached their defining album in the form of The Yes Album. This is the moment where Yes really became Yes, for me at least. Sure, there was great playing on the first two albums, as well as great melodies, tight vocal harmonies, excellent base lines, and most of the things that tend to contribute to the overall Yes sound, but it was on this album that Yes took that sound and used it to the absolute best of its potential.
The main thing that stands out on this album, and really makes it what it is, is the recent addition of new guitarist Steve Howe. The extreme diversity not only of his playing, but also of his tastes really seems to have pushed the band to new heights of compositional ambition. And it really show here. While the longest songs on the previous two albums would only reach the six to seven minute marks, here we are treated to three nine plus minute tracks, much greater diversity in the overall approach of writing, and a seemingly endless ambition from all of the players to put their absolute best into their performances. And wow, the performances are fantastic, not just from Howe, but from everybody. Bill Buford sounds incredible as ever, and Squire especially seems to have really come into his own here, further developing his own unique style.
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| The Yes Album marks the first album by the band to feature the playing of long-time member Steve Howe |
Straight from the first notes of the epic opener Yours is No Disgrace, it is clear that Yes is playing for keeps with this album. We are immediately treated to some intricate unison playing from the entire band, before breaking off into some classic Yes styled vocal harmonies, and continuing for nine full minutes of prog rock glory, with some beautiful quiet moments, intricate playing, and the all-around makings of what has become quite the Yes classic at this point. The melodies are lush, and for the first time Jon Anderson has fully seemed to develop his lyrical style, referred to by many as "random imagery."
I personally love the idea behind the whole "random imagery," and the notion that maybe a songs lyrics don't have to necessarily tell a story, but can rather try to evoke a certain feeling through the usage of well...random imagery.
The band really doesn't slow down in terms of quality or creative energy for the entire album. Clap, a solo acoustic guitar piece performed live by Steve Howe is an excellent, technical and incredibly fun piece that really shows off what an incredible player Howe is. Starship Trooper is another brilliant showcase of everything that the band does best, featuring outstanding vocal melodies, and just fantastic musicianship, from a compositional standpoint, as well as just for its sheer inventiveness. All in all, it's one of my favorite songs that the band has ever done. I've Seen all Good People is another real classic. The vocal melodies in this one might even be better than in Starship Trooper, and the closing jam is just awesome, it's not surprising that this one became something of a radio hit, since it also manages to be pretty accessible.
The only filler for me probably comes in the form of the track Perpetual Change, which isn't really bad, but just isn't quite up to snuff when put against the rest of the tracks. The closing Perpetual Change seems like something of a forgotten classic. I really love the jazzy piano playing, and once again, the vocal melodies are just excellent.
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| The Yes Album was the final album to feature the playing of Tony Kaye |
So this is Yes in all of their beautiful, most blind ambition, with the epic song writing, ambiguous yet highly colorful lyrics, great melodies and mind numbing chops all intact and in full focus, and it really is a somewhat jaw dropping result, which I have very, very little to complain about.
See my rating below:
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