THE YES ALBUM

Im not saying nothing new but Yes is a very special group: Born in the turnmoil of the psychedelic years, Yes was atracted by the most positive side of it. Involved at least espiritualy with the west coast folk psychedelia (Byrds, love, Buffalo S.) Yes uses a lot of vocal harmonies in Crosby, Still, and Nash way. But the influence doesnt stop there: For them psichedelia is irrestricted positive beatifullness. Nothing quirky, wicked, ambiguos, tragical. No Doors, No Joplin, no Mc5....no these have nothing to do with yes. Their heroes appart from jazz players and clasical composers where the aforementioned (Thats why in the first album you have a really wonderfull cover of the Byrds "I see you" and another cover from Stephen Still). But to the melodic, harmonic taste Yes adds an incredible instrumental skill, so basicaly the add to the folk harmonies simply good rock. Did you ever thought DejaVu lacked some real rock? For those whose answer has been :Yes....Yes is the answer. What is the effect of these combination? Powerfull rocketing rock exploding with beatifullness in a blissfull angelical musical paradise. Everyone knows later on they will become prog-masters and they style will change, even if retaining some characteristic flavour. But for me what is special of the "Yes Album" is that we find Yes in the middle, not a psychedelic band no more nor a prog band, or better said a psychedelicprogresive band all the way trough. Also the song writting is fabulous delivering rock clasics with apparent easyness. So i think the yes album is a must for every rock fan and not just for proggers. Is a gigantic, listenable, joyfull experience for everybody with a minimum of taste and love for grandeur. Lets get to the music: "Yours is no disgrace" a great clasical number with strange and simpleton lyrics ( The way Anderson composes the lyrics puzzles me, you can never know if hes saying really something or is just simple hippy cliche), Howe,s guitar flies here and there in high pitch scales, squire bass is superb rumbling with powerfull rocking lines. The middle section more laid down is also beatifull with its vocal harmonies . Then comes the clap...a little bit disapointing Howes fails some notes, and the number is very light. Then the absolutely wonderfull and powerfull "Starship trooper" with its power chords its psychedelic guitar sections, a monster bass and a astounding and misterious end that makes you think that the ufo is going to land over your head....really one of those moments in music that make living worthy of being experienced. Then Seen all good people with its lyrical intro (Your move) is a superb ultrapositive song for summer mornings. Then comes "A venture" a song i actually like a lot, one of the fiews that have a thinkable lyrical content ( a great one indeed althought delivered in a simple manner). Is a little number in the disc as a whole but is pure delight. I feel it to be greatly underrated. Then comes another clasic "Perpetual change" it has all the apparently mixed elements of psychedelia and that shows the future progyness of their music rising: It starts with the most powerfull rock intro withan incredible monster bass then turns into a lullaby, then it explodes in multicolored psychedelia, the guitar has a extrordinary presence with delightfull passages....but the surprise comes in the end: a strange humoruos up-tempo section appears seemingly turning the song in other direction but then comes the organ with epic chords, and it all fits perfectly magicaly!!!! Another of those moments in music. A definition of talent. By its listneability and addictive tunes i give it four stars and a half against the average prog apreciation of this gem.