MAGNIFICATION

Despite the fact that Wakeman is my favorite Yes-man over the years, there are plenty of proofs that a Yes album might be excellent without him (Relayer, the Ladder and this one...) and the other way round (look at Union... I really wonder where he was during the making of that album!!!)

Yes is my favorite band (as most prog and rock lovers) and I never rate a Yes album less than ***. In that case (like Union) I choose not to! This one really deserves a close look. I really don't understand those who rate this album with one or two stars... Guys, would you mind giving a few minutes (actually an hour and a quarter...) and listening to this MAGNIFICANTion piece? Forget about your prejudices, I used to think eveything done after 1979 was a piece of crap, but then I realised that it was 80's spirit (whatever it was) which spoiled the works around those days. Anyway, those days are fortunately gone, starting from nineties there's a rise in the quality of music. Just check Symphonic music of Yes (why isn't that included here, by the way???)

I do agree with some of reviewers who rate this album with **** on comparison with other yes albums, but we are living in the 2000's, not in 70's... I do think we have to compare this album to its contemporaries, and when I do so, I don't see many serious rivals around (apart from Wakeman himself!)

As for the tracks, the first 3 tracks and their orchestral sections blow my head. Though the album has a "pop" feeling, it's still Yes. Wish Wakeman was here, too! (Glad he's back, I'm impatiently looking for their next studio release)

I don't agree with the last lines of Yes' band description in this site... Though Yes entered a disorder period right after the release of Going for the One, they released other "great" albums after that.. This is one of them.

Whatever your musical taste is, just go for it!