THE YES ALBUM

A classic Yes Album, showing their capabilities with as good a guitarist as Steve Howe. Tony Kaye is still handling the keyboards, but he does a fine job trying to match Howe's soloing capabilities. The rest of the band is superb, starting to hit their stride in terms of songwriting. As usual, Anderson's lyrics dont make much sense, but theyre good in their own way.

Yours is no Disgrace: a really cool writing style with alternating sections of intense instrumentality and softer vocal parts. My favorite line in this song is just "Silly Human Race". Its very silly and yet has some truth. Steve Howe shows off a bit nearing the end, classic epic.

The Clap: a great little acoustic piece by Howe that apparently was only ever recorded live. nice, bouncy interlude.

Starship Trooper: Best song on the album, with a nice opening, and some melodic harmonies from the newly made trio of singers, Anderson, Howe and Squire. Some great bass work underlies the vocal parts, and this continues for a while. the middle part is a bubbly acoustic part, with interesting time signatures and singing. and of course, the ending Jam of The Wurm is incredible, even better when live due to Wakeman soloing as well as Howe. Overall, a classic yessong.

I've Seen All Good People: the single, some great vocal harmonies and lute work, a pop song through and through, but a good one. the second movement has some electric guitar that is really stunning if you see it live.

A Venture: The odd man out here, nice piano and melodies, but doesnt seem to go anywhere.

Perpetual Change: Another in the style of Yours is no Disgrace, alternating heavy instrumental parts and softer, slower vocal parts, although the vocal parts soon get to be very blasting. More Howe Brilliance, and a great closer to a great album.

Overall, classic Yessound is starting to develop, and would take the last step with the addition of Rick Wakeman on Keys. All three epics on this album sound amazing when done live, the only 3 songs that Yes could improv on, with all other songs merely being recreated, with the exception of their typical jams going along with Long Distance runaround and the fish. This is a very unique album in the yes repetoire, and a good one too.