YES

This is my first review, and I thought what better place to start than with the band that truly started my love for Prog. The first YES album. This is a must if you want to truly explore the evolution of this great band. You'll find it all right here on this record. The bands' need to explore, their influences, and the basics of their incredible musicianship. When I listen to this record, the first things I hear that stand out are the Drums and Hammond Organ. Both Bill Bruford, and Tony Kaye, for a debut, are incredible. Chris Squire is also awesome, but is so over the top in the mix, that if brought down to a more subtle level, would have made this one of the greatest debuts ever. The mix is very lopsided. I've never seen producer Paul Clay's name on anything else I own. What gives this album 4 stars is the songs themselves.

1. Beyond and Before 3/5. Right out of the gate Squire's blasting through your speakers with an uncomplicated string of high notes that should have been lowered in the mix. Might have been better to have that series of notes rocked out by Peter Banks. the harmonies are also trying to find their place in Yes. Squire is also dominate in the vocal mix. The guitar is so buried that it doesn't get to take you where it should.

2. I See You 5/5. Somehow the mix works better on this track. This is a glimmer into what Yes was heading for. Taking a Cover song and making it your own shows how songs like America would see their day in the sun. The Jazz guitar breakdown in the middle is a nice touch. Bruford shows what could still be accomplished in a rock setting even if you are playing standard Jazz. Peter Banks at his best. Classic Yes vocals here as well.

3. Yesterday and Today 4/5. A great ballad to show off Jon Anderson's voice. Happy with just that right touch of sadness. The harmonies are all him as well. Tony Kaye never gets full keyboardist credit. You never hear much about his talent as a piano player, but this classic example with the just right touch of Rhodes in the background shows what he could accomplish as a well rounded player.

4. Looking Around 5/5. A Yes classic. Peter Banks and Tony Kaye make huge contributions here. Great chord progressions in the middle solo sections. Tony Kaye owns this song. Some of the best Hammond on record.

5. Harold Land. 4/5. One of the first true Prog songs ever. This would fit into any of the early Genesis records. More great piano and Hammond from Tony Kaye. Bill Bruford streams in some great changes while the band happily follows along.

6. Every Little Thing 5/5. Another great cover piece. Their amazing way of tranforming songs into their own has inspired so many cover bands to do the same thing. Nice Day Tripper touch just to wear their influences on their sleeves.

7. Sweetness 2/5. A throw away ballad to make up space on a record already too short. Overmixed Bass here again. Peter Banks plays some very Steve Hackett guitar here.

8. Survival 6/5. One of my truly all time favorite Yes songs. The beginning build shows you Heart Of The Sunrise. The acoustic flavor show touches of And You And I. This is a huge link in Yes lore. Bruford's snare work is starting to take it's shape. The harmonies are finding their Roundabout groove. Jon Anderson's lyrics are showing some of the complicated mysticism that would soon take form. Truly a Yes classic.

I recommend this record for those who are interested in the history of Prog Rock. YES has never received the credit it deserves for it's place in early Prog history. Only suffering from a bad mix, this record in 1969 is still full of great ideas and really does show what is to come.