GOING FOR THE ONE

Going For The One was Rick Wakeman's return to Yes after bugging out after Tales From Topographic Oceans. It is a major improvement over that album, but not near the standards set on Close to the Edge and Relayer. There are some major on this album, plus some less than stellar tunes.

The most famous track was the single Wonderous Stories which is a pleasant song, but not very prog. The better songs on this album, in my opinion, are Awaken and Parallels. Awaken is a moody piece, featuring Anderson's use of a Harp and excellent keyboard work from Wakeman. Parallels is a burner, featuring Squire's thundering bass and Wakeman's phoned in organ work. No, really, Wakeman played the church organ as his part was recorded over the phone line!

Nothing is really horrible on this album. Turn of the Century is a nice, soft piece, and Going For the One is a rollicking piece with Howe's pedal steel guitar taking center stage, but might have been better edited down a bit.

Once again, not a bad album, but not a great album either - in my opinion, those days are gone for Yes.