GOING FOR THE ONE

Yes

Symphonic Prog

4.06 | 2374 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

SouthSideoftheSky
Special Collaborator
Symphonic Team

Not the one!

Many Yes fans consider this something of a come back album or a return to form for the band. This is mainly because it was Rick Wakeman's return to the band after a couple of years of absence, during which he was replaced with Patrick Moraz. As much as I love Rick, this is not my view.

While most people seem to be in agreement over the greatness of The Yes Album, Fragile and Close To The Edge, there is some considerable controversy over the merits of Tales From Topographic Oceans, Relayer, Going For The One, Tormato and Drama. Personally, I love all of these albums, but Going For The One is the one I like the least of all of the mentioned albums. Hence, in my opinion Going For The One was, at the time of its release, the least good Yes album since Time And A Word.

Compared to Tales From Topographic Oceans and Relayer, Going For The One is certainly less experimental and more conventional in nature. The title track is almost something of a straightforward rock 'n' roll number and has never been one of my favourites. Awaken is the only truly progressive piece on this album, and while it is a great piece of music it is not up to par with Close To The Edge or Gates Of Delirium.

Overall, this album is more serious and has a colder, more bombastic, baroque kind of feeling compared to earlier ones. Rick is indeed back in the fold, but the synthesisers take a backseat in favour of grand piano and church organ. And Steve often plays acoustic guitars. All this gives the album a more classical sound and feeling.

Had this album been by another band I would probably have given it four stars, but perhaps I just demand more of my favourite band. For me this is just a three and a half star album.

Still, a very good album that is surrounded by greater ones!

SouthSideoftheSky | 3/5 | 2008-7-16

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this YES review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to SouthSideoftheSky
Report this review (#176980)
Buy YES music online with PA partners
Show all YES MP3/Stream
Go to YES page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to Going for the One page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for YES related discussions