THE YES ALBUM

Hey everyone, time for another prog review. What album is it now? Well, as you can see from your screen, it is 1971's the Yes Album (of course). To me, this album was a huge leap forward for Yes as they finally started to find themselves musically. Before the album they were a really good young band but they were not really turning heads like their UK peers were. It changed with this album. Not only did this change but a lineup change also occurred as Peter Banks (Yes' original guitarist) was replaced by a relatively unknown man by the name of Steve Howe (who was in a few bands before he joined Yes) and for many, once he joined there was no looking back. Howe would help define the signature Yes sound up until the confused mess that was Tormato (that's another review though lol). However, before that album though Steve and the Yes men made this seminal recording. The recording company threatened to drop them if they didn't make an album worth selling.Then came the Yes Album. On with the show and review no??

Here is the track listing for the Yes Album:

1) Yours Is No Disgrace - To me, this is when Yes finally started to find itself. Bill and Chris (a rhythm section to die for) play the best. I love how funky the guitar is from Steve. His guitar solos on the piece were so jazzy and yet still so rocking. To me everything about this song is spot on. 10/10

2) Clap - A jumpy guitar piece recorded live and played by Steve Howe. I thought it was very funny and cool ( I believe it was Chet Atkins inspired, not sure though ). It was also a piece used to celebrate the birth of Steve's newborn son Dylan. I love it. 10/10

3) Starship Trooper - I love this song. One of my favorite Yes songs ever. It goes through about three different sections of song. Life Seeker was very memorable for me. It then heads to Disillusion which is a great acoustic guitar break from Steve. A quite tasty guitar break at that as it's just so lush. Then it heads to Wurm. The guitar on this part of the song sounds like grunge or Nirvana before grunge or Nirvana even existed. Although it's rather repetitve it just fits as there's a groove. Also, during this portion of the song Bill starts to go off on his drum set. Bill Bruford and Steve Howe shine best on this track in my opinion. A really sublime track. 10/10

4) I've Seen All Good People - Personally, I like this song for its lyrics and its meaning. Even though it's rather Crosby, Stills, & Nash-esque I quite like it. The semi-country guitar line adds flavor to it. The one negative I have about the track is that the chorus repeats itself over and over. It is still a pretty good track though. 8/10

5) A Venture - A funny little piece and my least favorite on the album. It is not a bad track at all though. I just like the other tracks more. 8/10

6) Perpetual Change - This is the song that sent Yes into the stratosphere. It's got good call and response vocal deliveries and harmonies. Steve yet again propels this song (listen to it when it goes through the instrumental section, it's pure studio magic!!!). It is quintessential Yes. 10/10

Overall, I feel that although not quite flawless, the Yes Album is pretty damn good. Musically, it was miles ahead of the first 2 albums (it's not a knock on those 2 though). It was also the first of a string of many classic Yes albums. It is essential to your Yes collection as well as your Prog collection. 5 stars!! Peace out!!