Reviews (page 6 of 12)
The prog champ of our generation? Not according to Nolan (Rush)
You know what I say to this album? YES! I liked this album. My main complaint was I wish it was longer
Every once in a while you should open your mind and ears, and listen to some prog-rock. This album is among the best the genre has to offer.
Reminds me of the music my dad would listen to
Bra men ikke helt der Ass 3.7
Prog rock with experimental excursions towards jazzy and Caribbean sounds, which is overall lightfooted and positive.
Highlight - Ive seen all good people. Great band, not necessarily a go-to genre for me.
70s prog rock that’s surprisingly poppy.
Experimental, immaculate shredding. Amazing drummer and guitarist.
the band named yes say yes to 10 min songs
Wakeman-less, but still slaps. The first of their classic trilogy, but not without its tripey moments (why is the second track a live instrumental?)
The Yes Album is anchored around four long-form songs with two shorter tunes sandwiched within. It's an inconsistent record, but there are good moments to be found. 'Yours is No Disgrace' might be the best of the bunch; nevertheless, the intentionally out-of-time organ grinds my ears in the intro. I think a band like Gentle Giant could pull off such polyrhythm in a much prettier way. Nevertheless, kick-ass guitar solos, and several nice dynamic variations on the chorus make for a magical track. Following this epic intro, we hear the live solo recording 'The Clap' which must have been included to showcase new guitarist Steve Howe—while it's nice enough, it's awfully out-of-place! 'Starship Trooper' rocks really hard, and somehow features a bluegrassy break in the middle of an otherwise epic prog-song. My only complaint lies with the four-minute outro. Following its faux folksy intro, 'I've Seen All Good People' goes on way too long with the same rollicking refrain. 'A Venture' is moody and punctured with punchy rhythms. It's short and fails to offend. And while I quite like the catchy choruses and Steve Howe's versatile guitar work on 'Perpetual Change', I think the song is ultimately ruined by the weird two-band stereo experiment in time signatures that only kind-of align. Again, Gentle Giant would come up with much more compelling (and gelling) types of polyrhythm! There's a lot to be bothered by: Jon Anderson's lyrics are weird and wacky—Bill Bruford likes to hit strange syncopated snare beats that don't really fit the rhythm—Chris Squire treats his bass like a melodic instrument on top of everything else already going on—Tony Kaye evidently didn't like synthesizers, but the whole band urged the use of a few which explains the random appearance of a few really loud synth bits here-n-there. Ultimately, I have no problem with Steve Howe's ever-tasteful guitar; still, 'The Clap' really didn't need to be here! Yet, here's five guys putting together songs that sound like nothing else. The songs operate on an ambitious scale, and they are all packed with catchy, memorable little licks and melodies. There are rewards to be had within the record for those willing to patiently wait to hear them.
очень вкусно и разнообразно алкоальбом: текила санрайз
легко вкусно, думал между 3 и 4, но это как будто не альбом просто альбом, а чет интересное, поэтому 4-
Ahhh let the prog become you. The Yes Album is a masterpiece from one of the best prog bands to ever do it. Yours Is No Disgrace opens the album with a very characteristic Yes sounds. Some aggressive bass stabs that give way to some glittery instrumentals and eventually break way for Anderson to douse us in his falsetto. Everything with Yes feels so well-calculated. As with most Yes songs, this one just rides the bassline all the way through. The Clap picks up on a completely different tone with an acoustic guitar instrumental that evokes almost Spanish, folky vibes. Forgot about this one, not to say it isn't a good-un. Starship Trooper goes right back to the heart of Yes; a multi-part prog saga. Tis a jam. I've Seen All Good People is a great one. Who doesn't love a song about chess. The harmonizing on A Venture is wonderful. Love the staccato work of the drum with the guitar weaving in and out of focus. Kind of tuned out for the last track focusing on work, but I was bobbing along... 4 / 5
Fantastic album
really good album, including Starship Trooper, first with Steve Howe
Really rather good
I like this, unsurprisingly, but not loads. It feels like it's almost really good, but doesn't quite hit the heights of what their contemporaries were doing - then I check my dates and realise that Pink Floyd at this point haven't come out of their proper psychedelic period, and Genesis hadn't really got going either. So this is actually ahead of a pretty forward looking bunch (in the early seventies, anyway). Doesn't feel disjointed at all, but also doesn't quite get me going in the way that the later work from Genesis/Pink Floyd did - hope we get some later Yes albums. Just about squeaks a 4.
I’ve been really impressed with each Yes album I’ve heard (I think this is the third on this list?). Either way, each record is like a compilation of dozens of class riffs and melodies somehow woven together into songs that work. I imagine most artists would kill for just 10% of the ideas and creativity Yes show. Strangely for me though, despite really enjoying them I never seem to go and listen to them outside of this list.
Hugely talented band with loads of music ideas that separate them from their prog rock peers. Doesn't quite reach the heights of Fragile but still thought it was great.
Probably enjoyed this less than the last yes album we had but still enjoyed this. Long meandering guitars. I do like the sound, but I find myself wanting the long songs to really go somewhere and end up with something more and they don't really tend to. 3.5
Suckah for Yes
A superb album, only bettered by Close to the Edge. This is prog at its peak, with a clutch of classic tracks including Yours is no disgrace, Starship trooper and I've seen all good people. A Venture and the Clap are less essential listening, even if the latter is a perennial favourite. Overall a really great listen
I remember studying Yes album art at the tender age of 4 of 5. I grew up hearing this album, as well as my dad telling me that the later albums were too "popular" (I really like their later work, but I like a lot of popular music!). This album is more experimental but still has a lot of catchy grooves. I enjoyed hearing it again. 4/5
Ok
This is some good shit. I can see why Jack Black gave that Yes cd to that kid in School of Rock. Starship Trooper is baller in that its pretty much 3 songs smashed into one and flows so well. Will seek out more Yes.
Fun listen. Influenced a lot of the music I love now. Respect to da OG's.
Yes's kind of goofy predecessor to their two best albums. Panning in the mix is a little off-putting. Favorite Tracks: Starship Trooper 4-4.5/5
Great prog!
4/5, once again surprised by how much fun this was
Great album !
they got a little sauce and pizzazz
Pretty close to peak Prog rock. It manages to keep on the right side (barely at times) of lyrics becoming overly narrative to the point all poetic snap is lost, and for complicated art rock it remains accessible and rocks pretty hard.
Rocking with some decent riffs, pretty catchy tunes
There were some funky times, there were some rockin' times 3.5/5
For all intents and purposes, “Eurythmics” and “The Eurythmics“ mean the same thing. The same cannot be said for “Clap” and “The Clap”
I think songs like “Yours is No Disgrace” and “Seen All Good People” laid the foundations for future Yes epics. Steve White’s guitar playing is a standout. He overshadows Tony Kaye, though Tony Banks says Kaye was the best Yes keyboard player. “Perpetual Change” is my favourite. I think that the acoustic “Clap” is a distraction, similar to the shorter pieces from “Fragile”, and shouldn’t be there.
After two uninspiring albums, Yes recruited Steve Howe and the band was immediately elevated. Combined with Chris Squire’s melodic bass and one of Jon Anderson’s best performances they really hit it out of the park with this one. They peaked later with Fragile and Close to the Edge but this is still a fine album. The album lags a bit with A Venture but other 5 / 6 songs are real bangers.
This one was really enjoyable, will listen again for sure.
tarvi tollattiin kattoo kameraa kohti... KÄNKKYISÄSTI. noh.. progressiivista, lyhyesti: prog. heh... prog rock... hyvä MUTTA EI NIIN HYVÄ.. EI OLLUT NIIN HYVÄ ETTÄ BANJOT HOI.... akustinen osio kiva. vokaalit taas bändin heikoin lenkki.. starship troopers
This album is wild! I feel like they came up with a bunch of ideas and said, "Let's do all of them". It's super cool.
Solid classic rock
OK. Okay! Xans for my breakfust, huh! Molly for my dinner, yuh. I'm writing a lab report... been writing this all day, huh. It's due at 11:59 tonight, ain't nobody write it better than me. all the other TAs are jelous of me
Leuk, gewoon de yes sound
- Never listened to a Yes album in full before - Thought it was very good, enjoyed it a lot - Always a big fan of long songs with multiple parts - Fav songs: I've Seen All Good People, A Venture, Yours is No Disgrace
Wow, that was pretty fun---I listened twice and will revisit in the future. Yours is No Disgrace grabbed me pretty quick though the vocals take some getting used to.
Really great, need to listen to it again
Its a Yes from me dog
Yes is a band that, twice now, I half-heartedly put on one of their albums only to remember just how much I like them. Maybe this doesn't top "Close to the Edge", but: - "Starship Trooper" & "I've Seen All Good People" is some of the catchiest music I've heard from this band - The shorter tracks, "Venture" & "The Clap" are great in their own right yet sound like they're from very different albums - First & last tracks didn't particularly move me today, though the psych-jazz in "Perpetual Change" was more enjoyable. February 17, 2023
Incredible talent! I could really get into this band some more. Worth sitting down and focusing on.
A seminal prog release, the songs are much stronger than Fragile but not the coherent masterpiece of Close to the Edge. Despite all, we have collection of 6 flashy prog pieces, sunshiney and witty (somewhat Beatlesesque) compared to their contemporaries, seeing influence from American folk and classical, especially with the creative use of happy acoustics and a unique spacey, electronic production style. All the songs were impressive, but only "Starship Trooper" and "I've Seen All Good People" blew my mind.
I always forget that there are Yes records before “Fragile” & I wonder if I’d have listened to this one more if it had a Roger Dean cover.
Some solid hits
Groovy as hell 😎😎
Really enjoyed it - reminds me a lot of the sound and feelings from a song like roundabout
Pretty fun, but not my favorite Yes by any means 3.75
This is the first Yes album I ever owned and it became a favorite during my first prog phase. It still rocks, and I like how tight it is, not super willy-nilly. It may not be their strongest work but it’s a good recommendation for prog newbies. B+
goodness do i love to hear a guitar ripped to shreds, fingertips calloused and splintered from the intensity. Yes deliver on that front and then some with their record The Yes Album, a complex body of work filled with deliriously meticulous instrumentation and melodramatic performances that gives rock music its verve. the music is borderline operatic — Yes does not care for subtlety, and they overlay their oft minimalistic compositions with loud guitar and bass moments that holds the music together. all of these elements feel best coalesced on the seminal “I’ve Seen All Good People”, a near-perfect mission statement that would drive Yes to the fore of a progressive rock movement still echoing in the ears of musicians today. their intricate melodies draw inspiration from jazz and folk music, which is what gives it rich personality, and Jon Anderson works his falsetto to the bone, all the emotion pouring out of him the second he takes a breath. the album is simple and restrained, but it isn’t until it ends that you actually realize how far it’s flown.
Hell YES for Yes.
Hadn't listened to this one before, but I love Fragile and Close to the Edge, so was excited to check it out. Its almost as good as those, and might grow on me with further listens. Hard to believe they brought this and Fragile out in the same year - that's some impressive creative juice flow!
Melodisch, variërend en verrassend.
I find their sound rather addictive. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would considering 9-minute songs are the norm here. 'All Good People' is like two songs in one, it just switches halfway through. The first half is fine, the second half is great. I may come back to this.
Each song was a showcase of musical talent -- great instrumentation and the harmonizing vocals are always super pleasing!
My knowledge on Yes is spotty at best. I remember Owner of A Lonely heart video freaking me out as a kid and loving it. I know "I've Seen All Good People" from this album and love it, but there is a lot more here and while it's not all for me and borders a little all over the place in a song aptly title "Perpetual Change" it never goes toooooo far. This album flew by though and was over before I knew it, would definitely revisit.
I'm not a prog guy, so maybe that's why I wasn't over the moon with this album. I mean, it's still very good but not a masterpiece to me. And my favorite, standout song is only 3min long - The Clap. Holy crap, I did not realize how good a guitarist Steve Howe is. Maybe I should've. Otherwise, yeah, the longer songs are all solid and it shouldn't just be I've Seen all Good People that gets the accolades - Yours is no Disgrace and Starship Trooper are also ambitious and artful.
I don’t love yes but I can’t say anything bad 4/5
I still stand by the theory that Yes were just making shit up as they went along and they only made great albums through sheer cosmic luck. Kind of like somehow always picking the right answer on a test you didn't study for. That is the only explanation as to why their output is like a random number generator of quality. They're probably the only band that has an album in their catalog for every possible score from 0/10 to 10/10. This particular album is very green. Not their greenest though. 7/10.
Très bon!
Yes
Yes!
This is great, definitely one I'll check out again
Bello como todo lo que he escuchado de Yes.
The production quality is perfect and the musicianship is outstanding
Stream of consciousness notes: I like prog rock when I hear it, but never have actively sought it out. Loving the first track so far! Interesting that there are some acoustic instrumentals mixed in. I like the flow of this album. I really appreciate songs with a multi-part structure that flow really well together. Starship Trooper and I've Seen All Good People are the highlights for me!
so nice I listened twice! really enjoyed this album - sequencing was really well thought out. the progression made it feel like I was listening to a story, even if I didnt know what the story was. will def listen again!
Excellent album, the one where Yes truly came into their own (although they hadn't yet adopted the classic Roger Dean designed album covers). Steve Howe was an amazing addition to the band and one of the most criminally underrated guitar players of all time. Also, I don't often rave about bass players but Chris Squire was just incredible and it comes through on this album. The songs on this album are all intricately woven yet still manage to be catchy and pleasant to listen to. I think Yes reached their peak a couple of albums later with Close to the Edge, but this was a major step forward for them. 4 stars.
Really nice. Starship trooper is a banger.
Yes is cool. I love the band name of "Yes". I think sometimes they fall into the trap of being progressive for the sake of being progressive and it doesn't always help their songwriting. This is a touchy topic because there's really many arguments for both sides of the argument; like "well prog-rock is their genre, so why shouldn't they be proggy?". I think I agree on both sides but lean towards the former argument rather than the latter. To be fair, I think it's incredibly difficult to be a proggy band and tastefully make progressive music. This album starts with some of the issues that I frequently see in prog music. It's exciting! But it's also manic. Music has so many differences in listening experiences and sometimes I want to groove on a track while focusing on something else, and sometimes I want to sit and listen to a band like Yes and put all of my attention into the music. It's hard to objectively rate an album like this when I'm not in the exact mood that the music ~sort of~ needs. I'm currently sick with a cold that I suspect is more than a cold and I have no energy and it's physically hard to stare at my computer screen and write this while listening to the music because if I put too much thought into the words I'm writing then I'm missing out on a key change or a meter change or a groove change that turns into a keyboard solo. I'm currently writing this at the last 30 seconds of track 1 and it's an Allman Brothers esque guitar shred part that is now turning into an ascending circus synth to end the song and now - it's track 2 and we are immediately onto a folk blues acoustic guitar solo? I can't catch my breath enough to hear any of the melodies and harmonies because my attention is forced onto the tonal qualities and instrumentation. It probably comes across as hating on the band but it's not really my intent. I think this music is really high class performing and wildly impressive for 1971. Ultimately, I enjoyed the album. Personally it's not my super duper favorite, so I'm giving it a 4/5 but it's like a 4.1.
Yes!
it's a good album, but still not something I'd listen every day. Loved the guitar solos though.
Like Rush but tasteful AND lively. And to whoever wrote that review that said '"Like Rush but boring", I'd say that Rush's hackneyed and cheesy instrumentation actually sound very boring to *me*. Funny how music tastes work, huh? To come back to Yes, I remember being a little harsh in my review of their *Fragile* album, the one that was released right after *The Yes Album*. I still think *Fragile* lacks substantial content in some of its tracks, but three of them are just instant classics, worthy of their legend. My grade for it goes from 3 to 4 now. *The Yes Album* is a little more cohesive than *Fragile* in comparison, even though it has less striking cuts in its tracklisting. Some moments are incredibly brilliant though, foretelling the great things they were about to accomplish (including *Close To the Edge*) Whatever the case may be, Yes are still a band that is far more dynamic than many of their seventies or even eighties prog-rock counterparts, from virtuosistic yet empty pedants to self-indulgent hacks with a knack for artificial, kitschy arrangements (from ELO to Rush, basically speaking). Yes played hard yet never forgot melodies and emotions. In other words, they *rocked*. Number of albums left to review: 761 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 120 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 58 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 62
Liked it more than I thought I would for a prog rock album
Great album but it does not reach the heights of Fragile and Close to the Edge
I liked it! Bit of an off-brand Rush, but that's not a bad thing. Definitely The Clap is the best song.
Prog instrumental wankery. I'm here for it.
If it were a little catchier I'd give it a 5. There's so much to like here. Yes are geniuses where it comes to rephrasing a passage they've played earlier in a totally new musical context - they run a clinic on it in "I've Seen All Good People", and there's delightful examples in "Yours Is No Disgrace" as well. Their sense of musical color is impeccable - the backing vocals are super-lush on practically every track, and their use of the organ, especially the interplay between organ and guitar on their instrumentals, is consistently on-point. I get chills when the organ comes in on "I've Seen All Good People". I'm a big fan of Andersen's vocals (especially when he has the band backing him) and Howe's guitar, but what stands out to me on repeat listen is how adventurous they are with the bass - it's everywhere on a few tracks, especially the opener, and they get great sound out of it. There's also just a wonderful variety of sound here, ranging from jazz on "Perpetual Change" and bluegrass on "The Clap" to straight-ahead rock-and-roll. And the whole thing is just impeccably produced - for an album that came out in 1971 it sounds remarkably fresh and modern.
This one wasn't as good as "Close to the edge" and in general this album doesn't seem like one of the best progressive rock has to offer. It's still fine and was a pleasant listen though. Rounding up from 3.5.
Yes
This is great. Forgot about The Clap; I think my uncle used to play it when I was growing up. Not sure I knew about Yours Is No Disgrace.
I enjoyed the album. I’ve Seen All Good People… is a great song. Nothing stuck out to me as being notably different or experimental but maybe for its time.
Quite enjoyed this one although it was a bit of a strange one with the long form songs. they were pretty groovy and fun though
brilliant. lots of interesting stuff going on, but it's very easy-going and not too much. fave tracks: your move and the clap
I love the instrumental parts, lyrics are not even necessary. I entered the atmosphere quite easily. That's sweet but strong! I may listen to this album while studying!
Solid album by a solid artist, not my favourite thing in the world but a very well written album that I can respect and appreciate
3.5/5. This was good. I liked it.
If I would ever wonder which album (one of many, of course) Steven Wilson was influenced by, then here we are! I was actually a bit perplexed at the beginning, because I thought it's just some kind of early Porcupine Tree release and I just clicked the wrong link. Thinking of it, this album must have influenced quite a large number of progressive bands, as its sound is unique, quite original at the time, but also very entertaining even today. I think the best description of this album is the song Starship Trooper. It has everything - crazy solos, slowly paced instrumental parts, psychedelic verses and they all fill in nicely onto a pretty long 9 minutes song. Rest of the album is uniquely similar, a lot of crazy moments woven together with instrumental parts and vocals. Very good example of a historically important album, that didn't lose its value after all this time, and can be equally enjoyed today.
Beautifully crafted, some songs that feel forced. Not as good as their later work.
have always this band. got my hands on a Very Best of Yes CD a thousand years ago and fell in love with em. can't really expand on why i just fucking dig it.
Syncopation and Chris Squire on bass. Yes Yes Yes!
Decent punk album although I won’t listen again
Yes er alltaf gott Yes. Það er eitthvað við þetta early 70s progg sem á voðalega auðveldan aðgang að hjartanu mínu.
Yes's breakout album. Their first two albums still clung to psychadelic rock sounds, whereas The Yes Album explored new territory that would set them apart from other prog rock bands at the time. This could largely be attributed to the addition of Steve Howe, who provided new perspective and influence for the record. This can be seen, for example, on The Clap, which is a wonderful acoustic folk song that pulls from the likes of country and blues. Worry not, progheads, there is many prog to be found here. This rocks very hard and it's a great showing from Yes. Fun songs performed with incredible skill, it's a good time all around. Starship Trooper is a clear winner of a song for me, but the whole album can play ball. Great stuff. That is, until the part in Perpetual Change when they panned the organs completely in the left channel and I had to listen to it solo, unaccompanied. That sucks. I hate it when bands pan stupid shit like that. Never do that.
very good very progressive
Classic Yes progressive rock. Aged well.
When you think back to all the great music that was produced over 50 years ago, it's amazing how well the music has held up over that period of time. Prog bands produced a sound that sounded technologically advanced, well beyond it's years and YES was no exception. I own only two Yes albums (The Yes Album & Fragile) and in recent years I've listened to them more than when I bought them. There are many phases of Yes's career I'm not too interested in (especially their 80's work), but the Yes Album (their 3rd) through to 1973 are spectacular. The Yes Album has a pair of classic Yes songs and the rest of the record is solid.
Seen all good people turn their heads each day
I guess I kind of like Yes. Or at least their “hits”. Love the folky acoustic stuff, and of course Good People, Yours Is No Disgrace, and Starship Trooper.
I was much more into this album than I thought I would be. Some of the songs still go too long, but overall I really enjoyed it.
This is a good one
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Aj karamba, kolejny swietny gitarkowy material, tym razem w bardziej progresywnym wydaniu, bo jest to trzeci studyjny krazek od Yesow, zatytuowany prosto The Yes Album, nazwa moze wynikac chocby z tego, ze jest to pierwszy album na ktorym sa zawarte jedynie autorskie kompozycje bandy, ktora na wczesniejszych plytach mocno coverowala, a tutaj pokazala na co ja stac jako kompletny zespol, a chociaz to wydanie z 71 jest gdzies mocno w cieniu ich komercyjnego przebicia jakim bylo Fragile z tego samego roku, ktore juz bylo wczesniej na liscie, tak ten eponimicznie zatytulowany krazek jest zdecydowanie warty przesluchania, jak przystalo na progresywne granie traki sa sycaco grube, dwa z szesciu trakow plyty to skladance jeden dwuczesciowy, drugi natomiast trojkowy, ale nawet i utwory o bardziej monolitycznej strukturze to potezne epiki zamykajace sie w graniach 9 minut, do tego dodac dwa krotsze trzy minutowe kawalki i 41 minut pleja jest zapelnione, a jest on wypelniony rownie hipnotycznymi brzmieniami co wczesniejszy fragile, co sprawia, ze czlowiek nawet nie wie kiedy koncowka stuka w poczatek, o ile wklad pana Wakemana w dyskografie zespolu jest nieoceniony, to jednak ten material pozbawiony przepychu synthowych klawiszy ma w sobie cos wyjatkowo uroczego, bo wokalne harmoniowania sie nie zmienily, pozytywne wajby plynace z lirycznej strony plyty rowniez sa, wiecej akustycznosci na gitarkach, poczatki eksperymentowania z brzmieniem na poszczegolnych kanalach jest, ciekawie budowana scena potrafiaca zaskoczyc nie raz, Yes jako zespol wielu oblicz w zaleznosci od skladu, ktory jednak nie zawodzi, tak wlasnie jest rowniez w tym przypadku, hajlajtowymi trakami jak dla mnie byly i have seen all good people, ktorego pierwsza czesc to your move, ktory bierze typowe zyciowe strugle ludzi pragnacych pokoju i opisuje je na szachowa modle, nie czesto slyszy sie tak orginalne wykorzystanie gry planszowej, tutaj chyba jedynie wu tangi zrobily cos lepszego, kolejnym trakiem ktory leci na plejke bedzie rownie pozytywny i cieplutki perpetual change, ktory jest epickim endingiem tego wysmienitego albumu, ktory dodatkowo pomogl mi odszyfrowac pochodzenie jednego z najbardziej memicznych riffow gitarowych wsrod muzyki z hinskich bajek, chodzi mianowicie o openingowe riffy z openingu fragile, czyli roundabouta, ktory przeszedl juz do historii memologi jako oznaczenie dzwieku zwiastujacego niesamowite zakonczenie, a geneza tego riffa siega wlasnie tego albumu, a mianowicie studyjnej wersji utworu clap, ktory w tej wersji ma wlasnie ten epicki riff, ktory zostal tutaj przemycony w wersji rozszerzonej bogatszej o trzy alternatywne tejki, ktore jak widac maja w sobie cos wartego uwagi
Listened to on 6/7/22 3.5/5 Favorite song: starship trooper I liked this album way more than I thought I would! It’s very rock-y without being too aggressive and super easy to listen to
Amaai heel tof. Ik hoop hem nog eens te beluisteren
Great album. Epics are great. A few throwaways but that's ok.
Bon album de Yes. Plus rock, moins compliqué que Close To the Edge.
Echt een top progressief rock album, wist niet dat Yes zoveel andere goede muziek had
5/7/2022 - ALBUM #100 Today's Album: "The Yes Album" by Yes - This is an album I have already heard before, but it's great to get another listen of it more in depth. I have always liked Yes for their smooth style of prog rock and great vocals, but I had mostly stuck to their album, "Fragile". With so many other albums by the band after Fragile, it seemed hard to pick one to listen to next, but THIS album is a great choice to follow up with. The opening track Yours Is No Disgrace opens up the album with 9 minutes of pure PROG. In this track they sound a lot like Kansas, but with this new-rock filter on it and the more I listen to this album as a whole, it really feels like it's THE inspiration for so many of the sounds I love in prog rock . The guitar sounds super crisp in the mix and the bassist is going absolutely nuts as usual. The Gap totally shifts gears with a solo acoustic guitar going absolutely crazy with some very impressive finger picking. It's a great upbeat track and is just so damn impressive. The 3 part Starship Trooper transitions expertly between various tempos, moods, and grooves. I especially love the vocals on this track and although it does drag a bit in some spots, there's a lot of great sonic moments on this track. The slow building third part crescendo's up into the end and gives the track a real feeling of significant progression, not to even mention the killer guitar solos. I've Seen All Good People is a 2 part track, but this one is much more accessible and fun. I love the opening vocal harmonies and the pounding bass drum gives this track a lovely meditative feeling to it. This is truly some of Yes's best songwriting and the vocals are just so damn silky smooth. I don't even feel like I could get into everything that makes this track amazing because there are just so many beautiful, well-performed layers, but the do-do chorus is absolutely a highlight and the way the mood picks up from part 1 to part 2 is so well done. Both parts compliment each other so well and it's really impressive that the band is able to make the whole thing feel so cohesive. The much shorter track, A Venture, feels like it could have been a Supertramp track with very similar vocals, instrumentation, and song structure. It's a bouncy, yet brooding track and although the beginning feels sort of slow and boring, the interplay between the piano, bass, and drums in the end of the track is just really memorizing and sounds great. The closing track, Perpetual Change is pretty much exactly that, with the band exploring so many different ideas and switching up the beat constantly. It is a little disorienting at some points, but I really think they do a great job of keeping the momentum of this track going throughout all of the switch ups and some of the chorus melodies are really lovely and catchy. This track is similar to I've Seen All Good People where it's just so massive and amazing that it's hard to describe everything great about it. It really should just be experienced. Overall, this is a progressive rock album through and through and as much as I tried to keep my love of prog out of any bias for this review, it's impossible for me to not just love this album. The instrumental performances are all so energetic and on point and the vocals are heavenly. Give this one a listen if you like prog even a little and I promise it's a great time. There's some less exciting moments in here, but when the album reaches it's highs, it really knocks it out of the park. Highlights: Yours Is No Disgrace, The Gap, Starship Trooper, I've Seen All Good People, Perpetual Change Score: 8.5/10 A fantastic demonstration of the power of prog rock
very good, enjoyed it more than I expected
Yes
Another one I had in my LP collection in my early teens as I grew up and into what I reluctantly call "progressive rock" (I cannot bring myself to call it by the abbreviated name). I say 'reluctantly' because although I can get my head around the label, it messes up my perception of how to describe a vast ocean of rock. If a band we don't normally associate with the genre cuts some more complicated tracks, or whatever characteristic one might ascribe to the genre, are they now in the genre? Anyway, I digress. Back to this album. I listened to it quite frequently in my teens but hadn't listened to it in a long, long time. Still holds up well. Steve Howe on guitar, Chris Squire on bass, Tony Kaye on keys (later to be replaced by Rick Wakeman, which worked out very well), and Bill Bruford on drums...that's one insanely amazing line-up. One can hear their varied backgrounds -- quite a bit of classical training and quite serious jazz chops -- and I'm glad they came together for this band. Jon Anderson's voice is incredible and he can do things very few rock singers could do. Personally, it gets a little high-pitched for me, but that's just a matter of my own taste. No slight meant to him. Impressive album. Glad I got to hear it again.
Just a solid set of progressive rock. The vocal harmonies are tight, the bass playing in particular is incredibly impressive. Each song moves in such a way that feels natural, but keeps you engaged. Favorite tracks: "Yours Is No Disgrace", "Starship Trooper"
Easy listening punk,
sank into this in a really enjoyable way
Not a prog fan at all but this is just a fantastic combination of great tunes - something most prog appears to leave out - and twiddly widdly arrangements that have just enough sixties still about them. Great.
Un bon album prog, j'adore Yes et celui-ci ne fait pas exception. Cependant, ce n'Est pas mon préférée qui est aussi sur la liste. 4.75
Not sure what's going on in the cover photo but perfectly pleasant music. I'd like to give it 3.5 stars but my last album was circle jerks who got twice as many songs into half the time so that makes me want to round down on this one. No, that's not fair. I like several of the songs quite a bit.
Genre: Progressive Rock 4/5 Yes is one of the most important groups in the history of progressive rock, and were one of the prog rock groups in the early going focusing their energy on symphonic arrangements and lush, orchestral style melodies, rather than the psych/prog rock stylings of Pink Floyd or King Crimson. Their third album, their first to gain any real traction amongst listeners, The Yes Album, is a perfect example of this concept and they execute it near flawlessly. With only 6 songs to parse through, Yes gives us a manicured musical statement that goes to showcase their best work of the time. Starship Trooper and Perpetual Change are two examples of the prog epic, stretching the song form to its limits while maintaining the group’s signature symphonic tendencies. The players on this album are all virtuosos. Howe, Kaye, Squire, and Bruford provide exceptional backing tracks for another true rock legend, vocalist Jon Anderson, who sounds just as good here as any of the instrumentalists do. A real gem, and while I don’t think it’s Yes’ best, or their most essential, it’s a classic listen that should reward any rock fan.
Yes
Cooool
Rock progresivo viejuno. No llega a vinilo.
Rock progresivo viejuno. No llega a vinilo.
4.5
Musique de puceaux mais c'est cool Prefs: Yours Is No Disgrace, Starship Trooper, Perpetual Change Moins pref: A Venture
When I first started exploring prog this album and Yes in general were an early stop. Ah, I miss the days when I got used records for a buck... Anyway this is a solid Yes album, but not their best. Their best was released later in the same year, hell the album released the following year was better than this too. There I go getting off track again. Anyway, this is just a good, enjoyable Yes album. If you don't like cheese you will probably hate it. Despite the dated sound in some aspects its pretty damn enjoyable. There's so many great musicians in this band and Jon Anderson has a pleasant voice if you ask me. One last thing: why did they go through with naming a song The Clap? How unfortunate.
Cool stuff, I could only imagine how mind blowing it was 50 years ago.
Great prog-rock, I miss this genre a lot
Tough Listen....... In fact, unlistenable You really gotta want to hear this. Couldn't get past the first 10min epic
YES to Yes 👏🏼
Great album, would add a song or two to my playlist. Don't surround yourself with yourself 4/5
Doesn't quite reach the heights of their next two albums, but as a glimpse of prog to come this is a pretty fantastic record
my dad owned this for years and I never listened, now I don't understand why not - some weird stuff yes, but also some pretty excellent stuff, reminiscent of late beatles, which is never a bad thing
Love Yes...and Prog rock in general. Great musicianship coupled with some catchy melodies.
Ridiculous Steely Dan sounds on track one (not sure who predates who). Amazing guitar on The Clap and hilarious song name
Very progressive! Unlike anything I have heard.
I really liked that great prog, 8/10
better than i thought it might be - a little irritating in places but mostly good
This is my favorite Yes album...especially Yours is no Disgrace and Starship Trooper. I like its generally upbeat feel and accessibility. 4 🌟
Coop album! Some jazz in there as well as rock. I liked it a lot
This was another nice surprise. I enjoyed it.
Excellent album. Love this early prog stuff.... literally anything goes. Fantastic musicianship
jammy, enjoyable
I dig this sort of early prog rock, it insists upon itself but it's fun. 4/5.
Enjoyed…Dad had this on on vinyl.
Solid but every song went on for a bit too long, still enjoyed. Also me and Mick got this album at same time
Surprised to actually like this. I've always believed I hated Yes, but apparently I don't. I seem to be a closet prog-rocker.
Back in the day, there used to be a really good second hand record shop called Catapilla in Exeter, where a lot of my albums came from during the period when everyone was moving to CD and ditching their vinyl. This still has the price label on it, I think it was UKP3.99. It's one of my favourite Yes albums, there might be some long songs but it has more direction than some of the albums that come after it. Probably because Tony Kaye wanted to keep things simple and Rick Wakeman (who replaced him) obviously didn't (and was brought in to be more expansive). Never quite sure if I like Jon Anderson's voice but it works better in the harmonies and always love Chris Squire's bass.
4.5
Schon n besonderes Album!
Angesichts der sonstigen yes-Erfahrungen wirklich gut hörbar!!! Gute Musik
The Yes Album by Yes (1971) Progressive rock can only be assessed in retrospect. It is not ‘progressive’ in a political (Marxist) sense, where the end is already in view and the object is to get there as soon as possible by any means necessary. But neither is progressive rock merely experimental. It breaks into new ground where others follow. The Yes Album was a step into that new territory. The Russian poet Osip Mandelstam (1891-1938) described his poetic compositional process as beginning with a ‘hum’ or a ‘ringing in the ears’, followed by a sound that, in turn, prompted a ‘moving of the lips’, and called forth words (Nadezhda Mandelstam, Hope Against Hope, p. 71 [Unlike Solzhenitsyn, Osip Mandelstam did not survive the Gulag.]). One gets a clear sense that a similar process is at work in the development of the music of The Yes Album. The sound informs the selection of words—lyrics that beg rhythmic elaboration. Narrative is incidental. Euphony is paramount. Passion is subterranean—indeed it is shifted from the heart of the artist to the heart of the beholder. The music of Yes is like a mind workout—a labor of the intellect, after which the soul feels refreshed. Heavily colored with close vocal three-part harmonies led by Jon Anderson, virtuoso guitar by Steve Howe and melodic bass lines by Chris Squires, this music challenges the listener with elaborate yet sensible variations in tempo, key, and balance—a delight to the ears. And what Tony Kaye adds on piano, organ, and synthesizer (e.g., “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “A Venture”) is heavenly. This is music that succeeds without hooks and grooves. You’re not likely to whistle these tunes, but the music sticks. I remember in high school when this album came out, there were those who dug Yes and those who dug, say, Three Dog Night. Those who dug The Yes Album were likely to also like classical music. Those who dug Three Dog Night were likely to get sent to the office for chewing gum. 4/5
8/10. Nice album w a lot of groovy songs, it was cheesy but just in the way that I expect prog rock to be.
Quite good. 8
7/10. I like the format, but want to come back to this one and give it a closer listen.
It's got a solid sound. 8/10
I kinda liked it. Never heard it before, The Yes sound we know from "Owner of a Lonely Heart" that became famous in the 80th is pretty notable. Love the base. And Andersons voice is very recognizable. Interesting concept only having 6 songs (but then several have 2 or 3 segments.)
A good album of a legendary band 4/5
First time hearing it. I wasn’t able to figure out the time signature of the final song.
I wore this album out on cassette tape in my youth.
Quite a pleasant surprise.
Almost psychadelic.
Incredible musicianship backed up by good songwriting
7/10
Concept album for sure. But I’ve seen all good people is a hit in its own right.
Super talented group of guys, really interesting album
Royalty of progressive rock. This is one I knew some of but never heard as a complete work. It’s solid four.
Yes!
My first full YES album, and it delivered in a lot of ways. Didn't blow my mind, but they have some great song craft and very complex melodies/rhythm. Nice themes and album continuity as well.
After listening to this twice it really grew on me. Needs to be listened with headphones. Great tone.
I’d heard some Yes songs before but never actually listened through an album. Crazy how much of them you can hear in the 70s/80s prog rock bands that came in later. There’s a few weak points on this album but overall the instrumental work on here and composition is very impressive
Surprised by the year on this one. Had some sounds of Rush and Crosby stills and Nash in terms of instrumentals and vocals respectively. We definitely listen to it again.
Nice
Classic
Pretty good
deluxe version on spotify, 9 tracks, 52 min, okay lets go. something about the singing reminds me of the police. second song's just instrumental. so far they use lyrics sparingly and i do mostly like them. catch my soul, catch the very light. okay some longer tracks have parts, cool. its like different songs but... in one... other longer tracks arent divided like that but they didn't drag on anyway, with enough change ups and build ups, i especially liked perpetual change and i added it to my playlist for songs over 7 min long, i'll revisit that song and starship trooper if not the whole album. it was enjoyable really.
Um not sure what to put here hmmm the only Yes song I knew was Roundabout because of an anime I started and never finished. My parents didn't listen to rock when I was growing up, so there are many classic albums I've never heard and wouldn't have known where to start. I liked this well enough. A Venture is probably my favorite.
A more mellowed down LP of what’s to come. But the full sounds and mysticism are already there. Also remasterings here bummed me out. BUT YES YES YES!
No soy muy fan de las canciones muy largas. O sea tienen que ser piezas muy buenas para que no me gane el impulso de cambiarle. No terminé el álbum jajajaja pero está ok
This is easily one of my fav prog rock albums and it’s not even the best ‘yes’ album. Great guitar work with passionate singing and an upbeat sound. 9/10
4/5 This was a pleasant surprise I may say!
Liked it, a bit long / repetitive, think if I listened a few more times I'd really get into it
Europe Neil Young The Who Liberace Jeff Buckley Django Reinhardt I'm at track 2.
Good album, that I hadn't heard before.
Pues sí lo disfruté.. Pero como con todo el prog, me conflictua que a pesar de que se supone que es innovador, no se siente así, es música demasiado bien hecha a ratos que pierde algo de encanto. Anyway, la que más me gustó the clap
Beginning of a gold era for the band and the genre.
Solo conocía un par de canciones previamente, pero me ha encantado. Le falta algo para llegará 5 estrellas, pero es genial
Prog gets dumped on all the time, and Yes is one of the bands held up as its worst criminals. However, this album shows that Yes' songwriting could be really tight, melodic and dare I say it, catchy. One of the most unfairly maligned bands. Great album, this. Now, if we're talking ELP albums or any of the Yes-men's solo efforts, yeah, those are rancid by and large.
Not like to much
- Solid prog rock with a taste of psychedelia in the longer songs
Another good album by Yes. Not as ambitious as the Edge but I enjoyed the use of the Portuguese guitar and the more traditional rock elements.
Progressive history. Quality over quantity
Sounds very influential. Enjoyed
yes - C
Yes.
Not peak Yes (ie Close to the Edge) but still very good!
ожидаемо хорошо
The 2nd Yes album in the list. I really enjoy this band.
While worse than their other album, it's still above average and warrants a 4, although it's closer to a 3.5 than a 4
Really good, some great guitar work on the less well known tracks. Loved it
8/10 FT: A Venture
'If the summer change to winter / Yours is no disgrace.' The Yes Album has got some unwonted funk - not Floyd's 'Money' funk, but funk nonetheless. But it also has the worst of the British Folk Revival, which is really the basis of the whole prog thing anyway, e.g., check out 'The Clap,' definitional of instrumental inanity & amnesia. Of what I can remember of Close to the Edge & Fragile, I took to this one more, but prog has a way of reliably spoiling the fun, i.e., not just pretentious but undetermined & languorous. I will concede tho that 'I've Seen All Good People' is a worthy track, & better than that 'Roundabout' shit. 'Make the white queen run so fast / She hasn't got time to make your wife.' Yeah, a lyrical mess, but it sure sounds right.
Great vocals! I loved the vocals and lyrics a lot. But what got me not really liking this album is the instrumentation. It wasn't that diverse. But I would definitely recommend this album.
I liked how the song was like three parts and not like. One whole part like most of the songs that we heard. But I really like how the song was built and whatnot and I also liked the. Beat and the effects of the song And I would recommend this to my brother but not my mom.
I like the different transitions in the songs in this album. I like the different instruments used in the songs. Overall I'd give this 3 stars.
An okay album, I do recommend to some but it wasn't my favorite.
Some fun, trippy jams, and their big hit: “I’ve seen all good people turn their heads each day so satisfied I’m on my way”
3/5
This band is completely new to me, and a fun one!
Pretty good - less commercial than subsequent offerings
Gear: INAWAKEN Twilight-DS Artwork: ️🪮🎎🪑 Production (2023 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🧩🧠🧭 Rating: 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️(🙂↕️)/5
I'm a fan of 70s prog and this fits the bill. There's some solid stuff on here, but overall didn't hold my attention. I enjoy the direction the band took after this album, but this one just kinda just fell a bit flat for me.
I do like some Prog Rock, and Yes are very firmly in that group, but there's a variance in the quality of their work that's almost as big as the variances in their lineups over the years. This isn't quite what I think of as the classic lineup, as Rick Wakeman doesn't join until the next album, though Tony Kaye is excellent here. I think the best song is probably "I've Seen All Good People," particularly the first movement (yup, we're in Prog territory when the songs have movements...) - "Your Move." While it's a given that every member of Yes is very good at their instruments, the standout things I noticed on this album were the vocal harmonies.
A lot to unpack. I like Yes, but found them late in life. This isn’t my favorite album by them but it is fun.
It's okay
This was on a lot in my house growing up..Dad loved it. Didnt quite love it as much as Dad did. Couple great songs but not my cup of tea.
Great prog rock with an acoustic accent.
Definitely an original sound, a balanced album.. Not super exciting though.
Some points excellent, sometimes shite. Can't say I'll listen to this one again, but it wasn't bad all in all. Oh, and they sing weird.
YES! YES! YES!
Yes are ok but they just aren't as good as other prog rock in my opinion.
Decent selection but there are better Yes albums to consider. 3.5/5
Album 8 Yes - The Yes Album ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I approached this with trepidation – prog rock! It was actually not too bad. Quite enjoyed the guitar wankery and noodling. “Perpetual Motion” and “i’ve seen all good people” are probably the best tracks. And the least weird and proggy. Probably won’t listen again though…
I’ve had enough of prog rock for now
Album 221. The Yes Album (https://open.spotify.com/album/4nQe6IzubN7cE7EWzrIvu4?si=QhS0MmEQQfGMdDPSKg20OQ) — Yes (1971) It's okay. Not great, not bad. I want to dig into this prog-rock more, but not today. 3/5 Liked: — Yours Is No Disgrace — I've Seen All Good People: Your Move / All Good People
This album is the band's "breakthrough" album and set the stage for what was to come from the band. It's classic 1970s progressive rock, with a little bit of quirkiness thrown in on some of the songs. While I overall thought the album was fine and the band shows how talented they clearly are, I didn't really listen to any song that I found to be overly memorable. A lot of the songs were really long and they didn't seem to all piece together in a way that made sense for an album. Another album that was fine to listen to, but I wouldn't seek it out to listen to again.
Good stuff. A little tedious with how long the tracks are, but generally very enjoyable. "I've Seen All Good People" is the clear standout, and I get antsy just wanting to hear that one when I throw this on.
C'était plutot sympa et une telle longévité doit être récompensée
Nice album, quite enjoyed it. Good guitar, drumming - love the bass playing. Vocals are a bit mid and songwriting although complex didn’t do that much for me
It was pretty good album but it was really boring 😴🥱. The last two songs were good 👍 and it wasn’t terrible but just really boring. Overall, I’d give it a 3.6/5! 🫡🥱🫠🍃
Prog rock is proggy. Great musos. The lyrics stray a bit close to a fantasy novel for my liking.
A great classic Rock album. Insane this came out in 1971. I hadn't realized that this album had the 'Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda' piece in it. That clip had been used in so many things growing up. I probably for most my life didn't know that was Yes. If you're looking for a sunny day rock album this one is solid. Parts of it show its age but Yes has continued to be a band that can transcend the decades.
Just what I feared. This is some Rush sounding bullshit. The talent is there but the ability to enjoy the music is really lacking for me.
Fav- I’ve seen good people 3/5
Now that's what I call PROG. Insanely cool basslines that you get a full feel for and a lot of effort clearly goes into each song. Everytime it was just instrumental I was dialed in, but I can't get past the over the top melodrama vocals. They're bad. Would never play this in front of a girl lest she thought of me as severely uncool.
I enjoy some good 70s prog rock. This does hit that itch. It does start to all blend together a bit especially in the back half. 3/5
Some beautiful instrumental moments & laid the foundation for the likes of Rush, for whom we should all be grateful. Sometimes exciting sometimes poignant but also sometimes neither.
It's solid, not my favorite from Yes.
nie porywa mnie pozatym te piosenki w chuj dlugie
Solid rock music. Nothing much different from my last experience listening to them on this list.
not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue
I already loved "I've Seen All Good People." New to me was the virtuosic fingerpicking on "Clap" and the great guitar solo that closes out "Starship Trooper." That being said, I think this got a bit too prog-y for me at times, and found parts of the album repetitive or aimless (particularly "Perpetual Change")
This one really grew on my while listening, still wouldn't re-listen, even tho theres so much in there, it just doesnt touch me
Okayy
Heard Before? Only "All Good People". Notes: - the mix is pristine, exactly suited to the material. - arrangements are excellent, and the solos don't go on for too long. - vocals are quite lovely, and mostly stay out of the way. lyrics are forgettable, which is a good thing in prog. - I'm a synth fan, so I would prefer to hear a bit more keyboard. Lucky for me, Rick Wakeman steps in to remedy this on later albums. - not earth-shattering, but a pleasant and interesting warm-up for Fragile and Close to the Edge. Verdict: Prog at its most light and fun. Listen Again? Saved the opener for later.
Ok I suppose
Surprisingly, the second side was better than the first. Some interesting stuff on this album eventually, but the first songs intro felt like being bonked on the head. Not the nice music I'm looking for xx
This was an okay album. It was nice having it in the background while I was doing stuff. The songs were pretty chill, and also a bit old-school sounding, but then I saw the year and yes, everything checks out.
good, obviously
Some feel more cartonish than dreamy Slow pace needs more attention time Happy tune
better than some of the other prog bullshit we've had so far. gotta say i can't really tell this one apart from the other Yes album we had, but I don't hate this.
I’m always gonna love the instrumentals of a prog rock album, so my enjoyment of that aspect wasn’t a surprise. “A Venture” was the highlight in that regard. I did not, however, care for the vocals. They easily brought this from a 4 to a 2, so I’ll split the difference.
I didn’t dislike this near as much as I thought I would. Some songs certainly held my attention more than others, but overall pretty enjoyable.
Not bad but nothing really stood out to me
Cosi cosi
Very technically well executed and fun to listen to, but feels like each song meanders a bit much and is just generally not my vibe. I've Seen All Good People and A Venture are great songs, but I ended up pretty bored with most of the album.
Bueno
Some nice progressive CSNY style vibes throughout. I loved The Clap, such an unexpected live acoustic hillbilly track. Quite a good album, a high 3.
This album feels like sex on a nice beach during Christmas 3
It’s okay. Yours Is No Disgrace and I’ve Seen All Good People were definite highlights. Lengthy tracks but I was never counting the seconds for it to be over. Didn’t feel uninspired or unoriginal but I kept feeling like I was listening to something Queen would put out (which I’m not a fan of). Doesn’t feel like a 3 as I enjoyed it significantly more than Boston but it definitely wasn’t a 4 for me. If I could give this 3.5 I would. Trying to see the vision that’s making Scritters give this a 5 but I just can’t do it. Maybe just not my thing. Really never heard of Yes before this so it’s kind of cool having them on my radar now.
This was just okay
ganz nedd
Enjoyed the chess song very much
Better then expectations
Hard to beat a bita prog, I've Seen All Good People a highlight for me (3.5)
It was pretty okay
Pretty solid
The boy's could play, but it's all so wimpy.
more like "The Meh Album".
Generic anti-war message didn’t do much for me. Some of this a little too bombastic but liked the piano on The Venture
Qué difícil saber que algo es buenísimo pero te da una paaaja. Creo que me pasa con casi todos los 70. La escucho y pienso en mi viejo.
Cool music, but also not a standout.
3/5
this one was kind of funky. it's like waiting room music with guitar riffs. against my best judgement, and only because it put me in a writing fugue state, i will rate it 3 stars
Like Pink Floyd without the aura. Not too bad though
Classic prog rock. More of a set and forget kind of thing unless you're really into it. Reminds me of my youth.
Like it for a couple of singles
They all look so delighted on the front cover, if you walked into the room and saw that, fear would set in pretty quickly. This was so much more enjoyable than "Close To The Edge" which sucked. I can't believe their output in those early years (Yes Album 1971, Fragile 1971, and Close to the Edge 1972). Radio staples from when I was a kid (though it was released before I ever thought about listening to music) include "Yours Is No Disgrace" (9 mins long!), "Starship Trooper" (9 mins long) and "I've Seen All Good People (7 mins long). "Starship Trooper" is one of the greatest nearly 10 min songs on the radio. It has several chapters but it all works and blends nicely. It's the essence of prog rock. "I've Seen All Good People" (42M listens) is the flagship song - it's still catchy & gets a lot of airplay even today. I found the last two songs to be mundane and wandering. The listener counts are solid from top to bottom, this is a popular release with a number of instantly recognizable songs. This deserves a spot in the Top 1001 and I'm not a prog guy, but I can understand where many people might not agree. 3 stars from me.
For a prog it was quite inoffensive to my ears. Except The Clap, that one sucks big time.
Very self indulgent 9 minute rock epics... But I enjoyed it!
Good vibe but not really my type.
First Listen; 3.5; I got two Yes albums (almost) back to back, and I feel like this one is a little more meandering and less punchy thoughout, but I still enjoyed it. Again, was not expecting to enjoy prog rock as much as I did, not sure what that says about me. Similar to Fragile, I enjoyed the bass, the energetic moments, and quirky detours. I don't love the organs and keys, at least not in the doses offered here. Favorite Track: Yours is No Disgrace
This album is like going to the mens room in a dive bar to have a piss. There’s a lot of atmosphere going on, and you’ve got a bit of a shine on. You smile as you relieve yourself at the urinal, cos you know you’re drunk and you’re having a good time.
Enjoyed, might go back to it, not sure. One of the synth melodies reminded me of an Abba song
lot better than yesterday that’s for sure. wasn’t expecting only 6 songs but they’re all that long
I mostly know Yes as a band that influenced bands I like (most notably Rush)... and I hear it.
This was pretty boring. Stand-outs - Starship Trooper: a. Life Seeker, b. Disillusion, c. Würm
I liked this more than some albums I’ve given three stars to. I don’t know that I would actively seek it out. It doesn’t quite tip into four star territory for me.
I did have a prog rock phase earlier in my life, and I came out of it with a conclusion that there are two types of prog bands - the ones that hit heavier, sound harder, that I truly enjoy (like King Crimson, Jethro Tull...), and the ones that, to me, sounds floppier, cheesier and more like some musicianship wankery than music that feels actually compelling (to me). Yes falls into the latter type to me, and while I do respect the mastery, musicianship and creativity, I just cannot enjoy the music fully.
It’s Yes!
sit on porch, humid day, cigarette, 7-8pm