I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for some prog, and The Yes Album definitely has its charms, but for me it sits somewhere in that middle ground. Not quite mind-blowing, not quite forgettable. I admire the ambition and the musicianship, no question. There are moments on this record that feel expansive and brilliantly weird, especially on Starship Trooper and Yours Is No Disgrace. I actually really like how they build tension and layer parts in those songs. It feels like you’re getting taken on a trip, even if sometimes it’s a slightly overlong one. Steve Howe’s guitar work is great throughout. I think he’s the standout for me here. That said, I also found myself checking the time more than once during the longer tracks. There’s a fine line between being adventurous and just noodling for too long, and this album dances on that line a lot. Vocally it’s a bit marmite too. Sometimes Jon Anderson’s voice floats nicely over the music, but other times it feels like it’s floating off in its own direction entirely. I get why this record was important for them and for prog fans in general, but I’m not fully swept up in it. I like it in parts, respect it overall, but it doesn’t pull me in emotionally like some other records from the era do.