Rating The Classics - Yes: Drama

I may be the only one, but it is my favourite Yes album ever. It combines incredibly well the intricate Prog style of the previous years and the melodic vibe of the '80s. Machine Messiah is my favourite track in their discography, and Does It Really Happen? and Tempus Fugit are two incredibly brilliant pieces of music.

Maybe 4 stars.

3.5 stars. Very good album. It has the makings of a flawed masterpiece.

Originally posted by Snow Dog Originally posted by Dayvenkirq Originally posted by geneyesontle Originally posted by Dayvenkirq Originally posted by geneyesontle A pretty mixed album. That's why it's not a classic. My vote: not sure. I have to hear the album in its entirety though there is something dreadful about the idea of wasting time on something that may not work. EDIT: Great. Now I sound like an anti-prog wuss.   Maybe but Tago Mogo is also mixed. Look, we can ask the whole world, which is even worse, and the results are going to be much more mixed than ever. If there is any group that will yield solids results, then it will be the group that is eligible (i.e. with the penchant for German experimental psych-rock) for reviewing the album. I don't think its mixed. To me it is consistently great from beginning to end. Drama that is.

Agreed.  I like the whole dang thing.  4 star album at least.  Better than Tormato or Relayer.  And although 90125 was no slouch IMO either, I'm glad we finally got a follow-up to Drama.  Should have just got Trevor to do the lead vocals, but Benoit did a pretty good imitation.

I'm not sure, the only song I really like a lot is Machine Messiah, and I like White Car and Run Through the Light a lot too (even when the last one is usually one of the least loved ones). The rest of the songs, even though not particularly bad, are quiet forgettable to me. I guess 3 stars would be right, though I would be tempted to go with 4 just for Machine Messiah... 3.5 would be best though. I will vote 3.

Yes' second studio album after the classics is obviously a solid 3-star one. The songs have their moments, but most of them just seem to miss the mark. By the way, I refuse to believe that the absence of Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman diminishes this album because it is way better than its predecessor. And in the context of a barren year like 1980, it may still find its place in my top-10 of that year. And now I stop before I can post this as a review.

Originally posted by Dayvenkirq Originally posted by geneyesontle Originally posted by Dayvenkirq Originally posted by geneyesontle A pretty mixed album. That's why it's not a classic. My vote: not sure. I have to hear the album in its entirety though there is something dreadful about the idea of wasting time on something that may not work. EDIT: Great. Now I sound like an anti-prog wuss.   Maybe but Tago Mogo is also mixed. Look, we can ask the whole world, which is even worse, and the results are going to be much more mixed than ever. If there is any group that will yield solids results, then it will be the group that is eligible (i.e. with the penchant for German experimental psych-rock) for reviewing the album.

Originally posted by geneyesontle Originally posted by Dayvenkirq Originally posted by geneyesontle A pretty mixed album. That's why it's not a classic. My vote: not sure. I have to hear the album in its entirety though there is something dreadful about the idea of wasting time on something that may not work. EDIT: Great. Now I sound like an anti-prog wuss.   Maybe but Tago Mogo is also mixed.

Look, we can ask the whole world, which is even worse, and the results are going to be much more mixed than ever. If there is any group that will yield solids results, then it will be the group that is eligible (i.e. with the penchant for German experimental psych-rock) for reviewing the album.

Edited by Dayvenkirq - December 01 2012 at 11:53

Originally posted by Dayvenkirq Originally posted by geneyesontle A pretty mixed album. That's why it's not a classic. My vote: not sure. I have to hear the album in its entirety though there is something dreadful about the idea of wasting time on something that may not work. EDIT: Great. Now I sound like an anti-prog wuss.

4 stars