GOING FOR THE ONE

I remember my grandfather buying this album for me in Mexico City about two and half years ago because I did not have enough money. To this day, I believe I owe him much more than the 100 pesos (roughly $9) it cost him. "Going for the One" was the album that fully incorporated me into the marvelous world that is progressive rock. This one started it all. And that is indeed priceless.

"Going for the One" is considered by many to be the last classic Yes album and I fall into that crowd. The album was released roughly around the same time as Genesis' "Wind and Wuthering", and I consider these two albums to be similar due to my opinion that they are both the last, great works from two of the greatest acts of prog. At the eve of the demise of the major progressive bands, Yes managed to make a rather impressive album, one that, for me, sparked a sudden crave for all things prog.

Yes' 8th album is unlike anything they produced before and after. It's just one of those diverse, fresh moments that come around not too often and surprise even the most skeptical listener. "Going for the One" offers somber, acoustic moments (such as in "Turn of the Century") and on the other side of the spectrum, dynamic and bombastic achievements (as seen in the epic "Awaken"). In short, there is bound to be something to attract the eager listener.

This album holds sentimental value to me, as it is the first true prog record I listened to. I still return to it and find myself liking it a little bit more during each listen. Consequently, I find it extremely difficult whether to award "Going for the One" 4 or 5 stars. My final rating is 4 stars, not as great as their earlier works, but still great enough to give me continual bliss.

1. "Going for the One" - 8.5/10

2. "Turn of the Century" - 8.5/10

3. "Parallels" - 8/10

4. "Wondrous Stories" - 8.5/10

5. "Awaken" - 8.5/10

42/5 = 84%, a fitting 4 stars for my first prog record and my first album review.